On an elling and flowing Stream at Bridimgton. 435 



and though there are openings, which are well known, and sed- 

 rait vessels of considerable burthen at all times of the tide, there 

 is in genera! but a small draft of water on this bank, when the 

 tide is out. On the outward or east side, towards the ocean, the 

 rock is quite perpendicular, and a great depth of water is imme- 

 diately behind it. As the copious source of vvatcr, which has 

 been tapped in the harbour, lies at such a depth, and under a 

 stratum of clav, there is no reason to think that it can be dis- 

 charged any where in the bay, till it arrives at the leclge of rock 

 where the clay terminates. Here, among the fissures of the rock, 

 it may find its exit ; and this is the more likely, as it is known 

 that the bed of the sea at the back of the Smithwick sand is at 

 so much a lower level. 



Admitting this supposition to be correct, or nearly so, it seems 

 to follow, that the issue of a body of fresh water, through a fis- 

 sure in rock forming the bed of the sea, would meet with more 

 or less resistance at different times of the tide ; because the two 

 columns of fluid in meeting, would act upon one another in the 

 ratio of the altitude of each, taking into the account the diflference 

 of their specific gravity; and thus, if there is any approach to 

 an equilibrium, an operation would result, analogous to the flux 

 and reflux of the tide, near the mouth of rivers. 



This hypothesis is specious, and accounts for the flux and re- 

 flux of tlie water from the bore, as well as for the singular un- 

 dulation of the discharge in a boisterous state of the sea : but 

 the greater relative altitude to which the column of spring water 

 is elevated after much rain, and the consequent prolonged dis- 

 charge of it during each tide, seems to militate against its cor- 

 rectness ; since, in a case, where by the supposition a balance is 

 nearly established, an additional impetus communicated to the 

 column of spring w^ater, ought to produce the opposite effect, 

 by enabling it to overcome the resistance of the same column of 

 sea-water during a longer period of each tide, than imder the 

 ' usual circumstances. 



It is not improbable, that this whole subject might be eluci- 

 dated, by a more perfect acquaintance with the peculiarities of 

 the springs on this part of the coast, provincially termed gipsies. 

 The water in this district of the east riding of Yorkshire pos- 

 sesses that limpidness which is usual in cretaceous soils ; but for 

 many miles of the Wolds behind Bridlington, very httle water is 

 to be seen. There are few rivulets, and these are very low in the 

 summer, and most of them quite dry in autumn. The account 

 to be collected from the inhabitants is, that in two or three weeks 

 after the commencci««nt of frost, the springs begin to run co- 

 piously; and in manv, thcwatcr is projected with such impctuo- 

 E e 2 »its; 



