416 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 
of borings and wells and the study of springs, those of the Geological 
Survey are doubtless the most extensive, and may be referred to here as 
showing the uses to which such collections may be put. Most of the large 
boring and exploration firms and many water engineers and consulting 
geologists have considerable, but naturally less extensive, collections of 
their own, that have been drawn upon for useful publication from time 
to time. 
Geological Survey: water supply data—Throughout its existence, 
now nearly a century, the Geological Survey has collected records of well- 
sections and borings ; but in the early days their use was in the main purely 
geological, as an aid to stratigraphy and mapping. Later, when the value 
of geological knowledge for underground water-supply became generally 
recognised, they were sought for this purpose also. 
The information, formerly assembled or published in connection with the 
Old Series 1-in. Geological Maps, was next filed under counties, and 
the issue of special County Water-Supply Memoirs was begun. This 
policy has been continued to the present day and twenty-six memoirs have 
been published. ‘There are also chapters on water-supply in many of the 
Sheet Memoirs. Data for the early memoirs were gathered from various 
sources, but the exact siting of a number of the bores left much to be 
desired, and the other information was, in many cases, all too meagre. 
At present the collection, filing and siting of records, which already 
amount to many thousands, is more consistent, and special studies of areas 
of underground water-supply are made from time to time. 
Details of wells or bores are entered on section sheets with a special 
heading (Geological Survey Memoir form), and comprise as many observa- 
tions of a general nature as are likely to be of value—failing continuous 
observations of water-levels ; but it must be noted that the information 
received is usually incomplete, since the only powers exercised by the 
Geological Survey are in respect of borings and shafts over 100 ft. in depth, 
sunk in search of minerals. 
Present sources of information are from :— 
(1) Old Survey Memoirs and other geological publications. 
(2) Information obtained on the spot during the 6-in. surveys now 
in hand, or from special limited surveys for Water-Supply Memoirs. 
(3) Well-sinkers, owners and others who apply for geological advice 
on water-supply, or who consult the Survey whilst their work is 
in progress. 
(4) The books and files of well-known water-boring firms. 
(5) The Ministry of Health, who forward copies of the records supplied 
to them in cases with which they deal. In important instances 
the Survey is asked to give an opinion upon the geological aspects of 
the schemes submitted and the prospects for finding the required 
amount or quality of water. 
With regard to source (3), inquiries about water prospects are now 
followed up, after a reasonable interval, if the inquirers do not communicate 
further. As a result, the Survey files are becoming increasingly ample, 
and a greater number of essential details are secured. In particular, the 
accurate location of the well or bore is asked for, and this is plotted on a 
I-in. map reserved for the purpose. 
Inquiries about water-supply dealt with at headquarters in London, 
Edinburgh, Manchester, York and Newcastle, amount to several hundreds 
a year. 
As a result, the Survey is generally in a position, when inquiries are 
made about an area, to give a reasonable or accurate estimate of water 
