156 CAVERN AT STONEHOUSE. 



be near the large.st well with a candle in his hand, 

 saw at that instant the water rise about half a foot. 

 This phenomenon then could not be explained ; but 

 now we think that the several wells are nearly on a 

 level, and that the waters shape their course towards 

 the sea, and mix with it in Mill Bay, at the distance 

 of four hundred and twelve feet. It is not certain 

 whether those wells, though they lie below the ex- 

 tremity of the lime-stone, have a mutual communi- 

 cation or not : but it is highly probable, as the 

 bottom of the largest well is clay, and its sides are 

 shelvy slate, that there are sprinos, and it is certain 

 that this shelvy vein of slate, nearly of the same 

 kind and colour with some seen at Mount Edge- 

 cumbe on the opposite shore, is continued even to 

 the sea, where two openings at low water have been 

 found, through which it is probable the water of the 

 great well discharges itself. When the tide rises, it 

 is presumed that the pressure of the sea without 

 retards the course of the water within, and this may 

 account for the rise and fall so manifest at different 

 times of sounding : and the same circumstance is 

 observed also in a well near the old French prison, 

 in the environs of Plymouth. 



Each cavern has its arch, each arch is strong, and 

 in general curious. The way to the largest well is, 

 in one part, roofed with solid and smooth stone, not 

 unlike the arch of an oven. No one seemed to be 

 affected by the damps till he came hither, and then 

 the candles grew dim, and one of the investigators, 

 as well as myself, felt unusual and uneasy sensa- 

 tions. However, since an opening has been made 

 near the arch of the great well, and the air has had 

 a much freer access, no such sympoms have been 

 perceived. It is very likely that the hill itself is 

 hollow ; some of the caverns have reciprocal com- 

 munications, but the clefts are often too narrow for 

 accurate inspection or minute enquiry. The water 

 here and there is still dripping, and incrustations, 

 usual in such grottos, coat the surface of the walls 



