"Salt Springs" may seem a more likely translation, but "fountains" has some justification. The translation (see Note on Translation and Alternatives) of the Irish tobar as "fountain" in the Färber & Irwin* edition seems a little over the top - today, for example, it would accept "Well" (elsewhere they translate tipra/tibra as "Well"), or even "Spring"*. Morris'* translation of the Latin font.es/ibus to "spring" is more reserved, though "fountain" would have been possible, and, indeed Philemon Holland makes that translation in his version of Camden's* Worcestershire for Droitwich where three fountaines yeelding plenty of water to make salt of (Camden gives "ubi tres fontes gignendo sale foecundi"). That springs can be strong enough to "erupt", even through a pond, there is no doubt - for example, Thomas* suggests the spring at Llandyfan pond ("St Dyfan's well") does so - but there is limited evidence for this associated with any salt springs. In the unlikely event that the Irish text is older, and "fountain" more approprate, it is possible this refers to a marine blow-hole, such as that at Worm's Head, Gower, but this matches the Latin versions very badly, as these would be coastal and unsuitable places to attempt any kind of cooking!