71 



abstruse one, is very simple, viz., that the whole surface 

 of the strata to the south and west of the said well, from 

 which it received its supply, gradually became covered 

 with houses, paved streets, &c. Hence, when the ancient 

 supply was taken out of the strata, there was no renewal 

 of the water, through its accustomed channels, to the 

 well, and hence the period of its yielding powers was 

 considerably shortened. 



A similar condition of the surface of the town, around 

 the wells belonging to the PublicCompanies, is being rapidly 

 induced, and similar results, as a matter of necessity, must 

 follow similar causes. The probability is, that there 

 will be little indication of the diminution of the usual 

 supply in their wells until a short time previous to the 

 ultimate exhaustion of the water. 



This state of things, we can readily imagine, would be 

 productive of the most serious consequences to the inha- 

 bitants of Liverpool, if no other sources of supply were 

 provided for such an exigency. 



The natural drainage of the strata by the dip, I have 

 shown is towards the east, and the sinkings for collecting 

 the greatest quantity should, therefore, be in that 

 direction, on the eastern limits of the area. 



The tunnellings in the workings should be carried 

 across the primary lines of fracture, and should intersect 

 or cut as many as possible. 



By this system of digging and tunnelling in the strata 

 in the direction mentioned, a very considerable additional 

 quantity of water would be procured beyond what the pre- 

 sent companies can possibly obtain from their present 

 workings. The Harrington Company's stations, for exam- 

 ple, are for the most part placed in the most densely inha- 

 bited parts of the town, without the least regard to the 

 physical conditions which affect the supply of the atmo- 

 spheric water passing into their wells ; and apparently with 



