In 
42 
Marl is barely represented in Hast Kent, and the base of the Chalk 
Marl, which (in all the sections I have met with) has been so squeezed 
and contorted that no definite thickness could be assigned to it, and 
some 50 feet of the Lower Chalk resting on the Gault is an alterna- 
tion of sand and clay which for the most part retains water. It is 
from this bed, probably the upper part of it, that we find the springs 
thrown out all along the southern edges of the escarpment of the 
Chalk. For the details of these beds Mr. Hilton Price’s paper on the 
beds between the Gault and the Upper Chalk may be consulted.! 
The rivers of this district are the Stour, the Little Stour, and the 
Dour. 
The Stour has two branches, which both take their rise from 
numerous springs which issue from the Chalk escarpment of the 
Weald, mostly between the Chalk and Chalk Marl, or the latter and 
the Gault. The southern source of the Stour is close to Postling 
Church, where a strong spring rises at about the elevation of 330 
feet above Ordnance Datum. Thence it flows in a north-westerly 
direction receiving various tributaries; strong springs at Horton Park, 
Stouting, and Brabourne, the strongest springs in each case rising at 
the level of 300 and 350 feet. The water is highly charged with car- 
bonate of lime, and travertine (calcareous tufa) is deposited. Thence, 
flowing westward by Ashford, it is joined by another branch, rising 
near Lenham Church and Westwell, and so flowing in an opposite 
direction to Ashford. Here the united streams cut through the Chalk 
escarpment, and flow as oneriver between Wye, Godmersham, Chilham, 
Chartham, and Canterbury. Here the river is fed by several strong 
springs issuing from beneath the drift gravel and clay beds of the 
Stour and lateral valleys. At Canterbury, and thence towards the 
Isle of Thanet, there are many springs, which rise in the alluvium 
of the valley on either side, in the form of circular deep conical pits, 
which are locally called “‘Nicker-pits’—a name of Saxon or perhaps 
Celtic derivation. As the water from these pits is highly calcareous, 
it probably is likewise derived from the Chalk, or flows between the 
Chalk and Lower Tertiary beds. Such springs occur at Chartham 
and at Canterbury, where one goes by the name of the Silver Hole, 
and is situated near White Hall. It was proposed by Mr. Pilbrow, 
the engineer, to utilize this spring for the water-supply of Canter- 
bury. Again, at West Bere, on either side of the river, like springs 
are met with. : 
The Little Stour, which in the upper part of its course constitutes 
the Nailbourne, takes its rise at a very short distance from the 
source of the Great Stour, at Postling Church, is derived from the 
same range of hills, and has its first spring at Etching Hill, which is 
about one mile south of Postling Church; thence it flows through 
1 Quart: Journ. Geol, Soc, vol. xxtiii. pp. 481. 
