42 Mr. H. Holland on the Cheshire Rock-salt DistricL 



Situation of the brine springs ^ rock-salt mines ^ ^c. 



X have dwelt thus minutely upon local facts from their connection 

 with the situation of the rock-salt, which, with few exceptions, has 

 yet been ascertained to exist only in the vallies of the Weaver and 

 its tributary streams ; in some places manifesting its presence by 

 springs impregnated with salt ; in other places being known by mines 

 actually carried down into the substance of the strata. A reference 

 to the map will shew the several situations where brine springs 

 occur, or where mines have been sunk, in the course of these vallies. 

 Between the source of the Weaver and Nantwich, it will be seen 

 that many brine springs make their appearance ; and in the latter 

 part of this course, it would seem that brine might be obtained by 

 sinking to some depth in any place near the banks of the Weaver. 

 Proceeding down the stream, salt-springs occur again at Winsford, 

 and in several situations between Winsford and Northwich. At 

 Moulton, between these two places, a mine has been sunk into the 

 body of rock-salt, and another also between Winsford and Middle- 

 wich. At Northwich the brine springs are very abundant, and here 

 also many mines have been sunk for the purpose of working out the 

 fossil salt. The springs occur again in several places further down 

 the river, but none have been met with below Saltersford, about two 

 miles from Northwich. At Whitley, however, two miles north of 

 the Weaver, and six miles from Northwich, a body of rock-salt is 

 stated to have been met with in boring for coal. 



On the course of the river Wheelock, brine springs have been 

 found at Lawton, Roughwood, Wheelock, and again at Middlewich, 

 where this stream unites itself with the Dane. At Lawton a mme 

 has been sunk into the rock-salt. In the valley of the Dane, no salt 



