269 
Chesterman had given it as his opinion that water could be found 
there at 16 feet. Mr. Gataker (who was unaware of the fact): 
gave the depth at 15 to 20 feet. The situation of the ground 
would suggest that these springs are the lower springs, or those 
that lie below the Fuller’s earth. 
The usual forked twig was used in these experiments, but 
rhabdomancy, like other arts, seems progressive, as Mr. Gataker 
showed after these experiments were over, that it was not neces- 
sary to have a “‘ dowsing rod” at all, but he could equally well 
perform his task without any apparatus whatever, the muscular 
movement of the hand placed in a certain position being sufficient 
to show the presence of a spring. 
Box Quarries, March 26, 1895.—The next excursion of the Field 
Club for the season took place on March 26th, when about 20 
members assembled at Box quarries. Some of the party drove 
to the workings, others preferred the railway as far as Box station 
and the extra amount of pedestrian exercise. Mr. Hancock, one- 
of the directors of the Bath Stone Firms, Limited, met the Club 
at the entrance, and some little time was passed explaining by 
plans how the workings ramified through the hill, the position of 
the railway tunnel, and the time that some of the quarries had 
been worked. One called Hazlebury quarry had provided the 
stone for the building of Lacock Abbey. Preparations were then 
made for going into the quarries, the members being handed neat 
little paraffin lamps, mounted on wooden handles of convenient 
size, that were most suitable for the work. The entrance on the 
Box side of the hill is on the level, a short distance from the road- 
way. After proceeding some distance tram tracks branch off in 
different directions following the beds of the building stone, which 
runs from 10 to 20 feet thick. As progress was reported, Mr. 
Hancock pointed out some of the features of the Box ground 
stone, and an interesting discussion took place of the mode of 
telling the bed of the stone when taken away from the quarries 
as, of course, it is especially necessary for good work that the 
