296 WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK : NATURALISTS AT BOURNE. 



Estuarine was well seen in a portion of the old Edenham Railway 

 cutting, where also was exposed a strip of the great Oolite Lime- 

 stone, From this brief sketch it will be seen that, to those equipped 

 with the necessary knowledge, Bourne and its vicinity afford a 

 splendid field for investigation. We have noted the fact that the 

 Oxford Clay underlying the Bourne Fen appears (to use the local 

 term) to be 'rising.** Trees are continually coming to the top of 

 this sub-stratum, forming a considerable source of annoyance to the 

 farmer. These trees of a former age are invariably found lying in 

 -an east-and-west direction, showing the prevailing winds of that 

 ancient time, or, perhaps, the trend of the hurricane that caused 

 their collapse. It appears evident, from a comparison of a large 

 number of borings, that the great Oolite Limestone is the water- 

 bearing stratum, and that along the deep-hidden surface of this rock, 

 which must form a sort of reservoir or w r ide-rushing subterranean 

 stream beneath the town, flows the excellent water from whence 

 Bourne derives its name and fame. The town supply is derived 

 from a boring at the base of the Stamford Hill (in Dr. Burdwood's 

 paddock), 95 feet; the Spalding water-supply is from the boring 

 near the Board School, 120 feet, the difference proving the dip 

 eastward of the limestone strata. Peterborough is supplied from 

 Braceborough, two miles distant. There are numerous private bores 

 for domestic use, and for mineral water manufactories (Mr. R. M. 

 Mills', and Messrs. Lee & Green's), and for breweries (Bourne 

 Brewery and Bott's * Angel' Brewery)* The streams running into 

 the old Roman Fenland drain and water-way — the Car Dyke — are 

 impregnated with iron. The Blind Well (near the Wood) is said to 

 possess healing virtues for eye complaints ; and the Braceborough 

 Spa for skin diseases. Reverting to the geological sketch, it is 

 instructive to note the wide climatic range indicated by the local 

 strata and inclusive fossils. The Oolite sea, in which was laid down 

 by innumerable marine creatures the splendid limestone that makes 

 the county famous, proves the existence of conditions similar to 

 those of Australia and the adjacent islands. The sandy beds 

 show periods of elevation; the coral limestones, of clear water 

 and temporary depression ; and the clays, of deeper water, or 

 the influx of mud-bearing currents. The sea in which was 

 deposited the Oxford Clay was deeper and more reef-blocked 

 with coralline formations. The Boulder Clay is a clear evidence 

 of the great ice age, when conditions similar to those among 

 which the Esquimaux shiver prevailed over these parts. Thus 



^^■^ ^^ ■ ■ ■ »■■■ ■ 1— ^— — ^— ■— ^— — — '" * " " '" *""*"** ■■■ ** — 11 ■ — — . ... .^ __ _^ 



* This arises from the shrinking of the peat as the water is draii 

 from the direct decomposition of the vegetable matter as the air enters, __ 



Natural^ 



