476 Notices of Memoirs — F. W. Sarmer — On Deep Boring. 



communication for the Crag seas than the northern one, for the 

 western, the southern, and eastern sides were undoubtedly shut in 

 by land. 



V]II. — On the Importance of Extending the Work of the 

 Geological Survey of Great Britain to the Deep-seated 

 EocKS, BY Means of Boring. By F. W. Harmer, F.G.S. 



THE systematic exploration of the subterranean geology of these 

 islands is equally important from a scientific and a practical 

 jjoint of view. At present our knowledge of the structure of the rocks 

 which form the foundation of our island home is due either to 

 isolated and occasional borings, such as that of the Ipswich Syndi- 

 cate in search of coal, or to deep wells sunk by mercantile firms ; but 

 the latter do not reach further than is necessar3' to obtain a supply 

 of water, and the work is generally suspended just where it becomes 

 geologically most interesting. Bat such a Survey is important 

 practically, because unsuspected sources of wealth may be hidden 

 tinder our very feet. 



It is a mistake to suppose that a discovery such as that of a new 

 coal-field would enrich only the landowners of the district, because 

 whenever any appreciation of real property takes place, the State 

 at once claims its share of the increased value, both for imperial and 

 local purposes. The average for the whole country of the rates 

 raised by local taxation alone was, for 1891, 3s. ScZ. in the pound, 

 to which must be added imperial taxes and the tithe. It may be 

 stated roughly, that for every £100 of yearly ' unearned increment' 

 the State is benefited in one way or another by £25, or one-foui-th 

 of the amount. The discovery of a new coal-field would cause in- 

 creased prosperity in the district in which it occurred, and from 

 this the State, through taxation, would derive great though indirect 

 advantage. 



The gi'owing difficulty of finding employment for the ever- 

 increasing population of these islands is a strong reason why this 

 Survey should be undertaken. 



Part of the cost might be borne by the landowners under whose 

 property any minerals were discovered. Certain districts should 

 be selected with the consent of the Local Authorities, and Parlia- 

 mentary power taken to charge a royalty on any minerals obtained 

 below a certain depth. Landowners would probably welcome 

 proposals to make borings on their estates on such conditions. In 

 the first instance, however, the Survey should map out accurately 

 the subterranean limits of existing coal-fields, or mineral-bearing 

 rocks, but trial borings should be put down in different localities, 

 and each new boring would help to show more plainly the direction 

 in which further investigations should be made. Much light would 

 be thrown by such a Survey on the circulation of underground 

 waters, a matter of great practical importance. 



The expense of boring would be much reduced if undertaken 

 on a large scale, as machinery and apparatus would be available 

 again and again. The Survey would employ its own workmen, who 

 would become increasingly efficient and economical. 



