G. Doicker — Water- sup^ily of East Kent. 205 



Over the Tertiary area from Deal to Sandwich are several strong 

 springs, which are partly used in the Delf, an artificial water-course, 

 constructed to supplj^ the town of Sandwich with water. One of 

 these rises at North bourne, receiving there the drainage of the Chalk 

 valleys which run from west to east : this Northbourne stream 

 empties into the Stour near Sandwich Haven. At Eastry another 

 similar spring occurs, flowing in a like direction, and receiving in 

 the same wtjy the underground drainage from the Chalk valley 

 running towards Dover. 



In the Isle of Thanet there are no streams of any importance ; but 

 one occurs at "Great" and "Little" Brooks End, and runs north- 

 west into the sea near St. Nicholas, while another small brook is 

 found eastward of Minster, emptying into Pegwell Bay ; springs 

 issue near the " Sportsman," and from the Thanet beds of Pegwell 

 Bay cliff, in these instances apparently from the Tertiary beds. 



Between West Hythe and Folkestone, south of the Chalk hills, are 

 several springs. I would particularize those at Sandling Park and 

 Saltwood, taking their rise from the Lower Greensnnd strata, and 

 flowing out to the sea at Hythe. Similar smaller streams are met 

 with at Newington and Cheriton, while another occurs at Lymne. 

 . By the seaboai'd from Folkestone to Deal many springs are tapped 

 by the sea-cliffs. Among these I would mention a strong spring at 

 Lydden Spout, which issues from the Chalk Marl, about 15 feet from 

 the base of the cliff, which is about 400 ft. in height. The bed from 

 which this water issues is No. V. bed in Mr. Price's section, 48 feet 

 above the Gault.^ At St. Margaret's Bay are some very strong 

 fresh-water springs below high-water mark. 



The way in which the Chalk strata absorbs, retains, and gives out 

 the rainfall is strikingly illustrated in the wells and " Nailbournes " 

 of the Chalk, to which I wish here to draw attention. Details of 

 the Petham Nailbourne are to be found in the Proceedings of this 

 Society for 1880.'^ I have before mentioned the source of the Lesser 

 Stour as taking the character of a Nailbourne from Etching Hill to 

 Beaksbourne. After a wet season the springs rise, as is apparent 

 by the increase of water in the wells ; those situated on the highest 

 level being the first to show it, then successively the springs I'ise 

 in the wells lower down the valley, till they overflow, or discharge 

 their waters as a periodical stream ; this stream runs down the 

 course of the before-mentioned valley till it joins the permanent 

 stream at Beaksbourne. After excessive wet seasons the stream 

 comes from the highest level, but at other times lower down. It is 

 evident, however, that the water is flowing as an underground 

 sti-eam long before and and after it appears at the surface. In proof 

 of which I would mention the following facts. After a very wet 

 season the stream flows all the way down the valley from Etching 

 Hill Pond ; at other times it flows only above ground from Lyminge 

 Pond; while at dry seasons it flows above the ground only low 

 down the valley at Beaksbourne. After some wet winters the 



^ Q.J.G.S. vol. xxxiii. p. 431. 



2 See Mr. Hammoad's paper, E. K. Nat. History Society, 1880. 



