For hydrologists all over the world the name of Dr. Hans Burger is permanently linked with those of the well-known catchment areas of Rappengraben and Sperbelgraben. His careful work and detailed reports have provided extremely valuable data of worldwide importance, and the frequency with which Dr. Burger's results are quoted is an indication of the extent to which his work and ideas have influenced hydrological thought elsewhere. I for one am ready to acknowledge the debt owed to him, even by those of us who are not prepared to accept all of the conclusions which he has drawn from the rainfall and run-off data for the two catchments. So, with my expression of gratitude for the past, and my good wishes for the future, comes a short essay in which some of the catchment data are re-examined. My conclusions will not be the same as those of Dr. Burger, an inevitable result because I make an assumption - to be made clear where it is relevant - differing from any of his assumptions: though he may reject the assumption, and with it the conclusions, I hope that he will find its unifying effect of some interest.