47 



called the chalk marie, also takes the base of the chalk, and 

 probably partakes of the retentive qualities of the gault. It 

 is ascertained that the surface level of this bed of water 

 dips also to the north, as well as somewhat to the east, 

 naturally caused by the means of exit in these directions, 

 the ridge of the chalk conBning it on the south. The 

 wells on the summit of the chalk ridge vary from 250 to 

 350 feet, or over 20 rods in depth. They decrease 

 gradually in depth as they approach the northern shore, 

 and at Whitstable a perpetual stream is obtained on the 

 principle of the artesian wells at a few feet above the 

 surface, by boring through the alluvial soil which overlays 

 the chalk. Several small streams burst out at short 

 distances from the northern coast, but the great 

 body of the chalk district is totally unsupplied by 

 streams along the the numerous valleys on that side of 

 the county. As I before stated a number of strong springs 

 find vent on the southern face of the chalk, all of them first 

 taking a southerly direction down the natural slope of the 

 valley to the bottom of the rock hills, by which they are 

 directed towards the centre of the basin in two main chan- 

 nels, turning nearly 20 watermills before reaching Ashford, 

 where all unite except the Eastwell stream which joins 

 about two miles below ; and it is a peculiar featui-e of this 

 river, caused by the formation of the surface, that no other 

 stream joins it until it approaches Canterbury, when the 

 small stream from Ilarblodown joins it at "Whitehall. After 

 this it traverses the Canterbury Vale by Grove Ferry, near 

 which the Lesser Stour joins the main river. It thence 

 proceeds to the sea with that peculiar indentation forming 

 the Stonar Island, the harbour of the old town of Sandwich 

 preventing a more direct communication with the sea. 

 There are numerous very strong springs along the channel 

 of the river and in the adjacent meadows, which add largely 

 to its volume and power. They commence after the closing 

 in of the chalk hills below Wye, and continue to 'Westbcrc, 

 where they assume a peculiar character, called nucker pits, 

 said to bo of almost fabulous depths ; from thence the 



