290 Neale: Short-eared Owl at Ackworth. 
there would be a strong rush of air. The intensity and length 
normal, but as the water slowly sank after the rain ceased by 
escaping in springs, etc., at a lower level, air would e drawn 
from the nearest point of access, for a flow of nai 
water cannot take place without a corresponding air movement, 
hence a back draught would occur into the fissures, which 
might or might not continue. The fall of the water level might 
be stopped by more rain, or less violently by a fall in barometric 
pressure. In the case of this fissure, while under observation, 
barometric pressure did not seem to explain matters much. 
I have seen no reason to alter this opinion, although when 
writing on the matter, as I hope to do in a paper on ‘The 
underground water supply from the Lincolnshire Oolite,’ I may 
enlarge upon it. I have made numerous inquiries, but can only 
obtain the following Mrcner ents facts :—Mr. J. E. Noble, well- 
borer, of Thurlby, writes me, ‘I had a similar experience at 
into it, we learned that ij would carry the waste close to the 
ys taba side of the bore.’ 
If readers of ‘ The Naturalist ’ have any further facts about 
underground air blasts, I should be glad if they would com- 
municate with me on the point, or publish them in its pages ; 
for, as my friend Mr. Woodruffe Peacock has pointed out to me, 
every fact of this kind is most invaluable in:showing how soils 
are aérated by a downward and upward draught of air as the 
rain falls or ceases, or even as the barometer changes. It is 
only by noting such facts as they come under observation — 
_ that the presence of fresh air in the soil, which the cerobic 
micro-organisms must have to enable them to break up an 
re-form the soluble ae cea of organic matter, can be fully 
demonstrated. 
+ 
NOTE—ORNITHOLOGY. 
hort-ea ort Owl at Ackworth.—The Ackworth ela gl Natural 
History Society have to note with regret that a specimen of the -eared 
Owl (Asio accipiorinns) was shot on Ackworth School count, ieee Na 16th 
Se —— inst.—Jos. NEALE, Ackworth School, 't roel pie 1899. 
eSNG Pe 
Naturalist, 
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