434 On an ehhing and flowing Stream at Bridlington. 



past, goes to convince him, that the variations from the rule 

 stated above, are very inconsicleral)le durii)g the smnmer and 

 autumnal months ; but that in winter, after any unusual fall of 

 rain, he has known the column of fresh water raised eight feet 

 above the level of the tide, and the period of its discharge pro- 

 portionally prolonged. 



For the use of the town and shipping, a reservoir of brick- 

 work, capable of containing one thousand gallons, has been con- 

 structed within two or three yards, and upon somewhat a higher 

 level than the summit of the bore, and is made to communicate 

 with it by a tube of the same diameter, fitted with a valve, to 

 prevent any reflux into the well. Two waste pipes are placed 

 within a foot of the top of the reservoir, for the regular discharge 

 of the water, and it has also been made to communicate with a 

 pump adjoining, by which the reservoir may be emptied; and as 

 the bore of the Well is now closed and secured at the top, it is 

 obvious that the commencement of the flow of water, from the 

 pipes of the reservoir, will happen a few minutes sooner or later 

 at each tide, according to the quantity of water it contained at 

 the time. Such, however, is the known regularity of the dis- 

 diarge from the waste pipes, that at the expected time of the 

 tide several of the inhabitants are alvvavs on the spot with their 

 vessels, and are rarely obliged to wait for more than five mi- 

 nutes. 



Such is the state of facts, and it appears to open a subject of 

 curious investigation to those whose habits and practical know- 

 ledge qualify them for it. The appearances seem not to admit 

 of any satisfactory explanation, without supposing some mode 

 of subterranean communication, by which the water of the sea, 

 and that of the spring in question, are brought into actual con- 

 tact, so as to exert a reciprocal action. This supposition re- 

 ceives considerable suppyrt from a circumstance which I had no 

 opportunity to observe, but which Mr. Milne has had frequent 

 occasion to notice ; and which he describes by remarking, that 

 after stormy weather, when there is a heavy sea on that coast, 

 the water is discharged, even from the waste pipes of the re- 

 servoir, with an evident undulation ; which, of course, would be 

 mnre considerable from tlie original bore. 



Mr. Milne has framed an hypothesis to satisfy his own mind 

 (Ml this curious subject. He believes the stratum of clay found 

 in the harbour, to extend over the whole bay in front of it, a« 

 far as the Smithwick sand, which forms a bar across the opening 

 pf the bay, in a direction from Flamborough head towards the 

 Spurn point, and about four miles from the quay in a south- 

 easterly direction. This bank is supported by a reef of rock : 



awe! 



