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IX. — Observations on the Strata penetrated in sinking a Well at Diss, 



in Norfolk. 



By JOHN TAYLOR, Esq., Treas. G.S. 



[Read June 4, 1834.] 



Some interest has been excited by an attempt to bore for water at Diss in 

 Norfolk, as no similar experiment had been made, and as the town had 

 hitherto been ill supplied with water of good quality. This attempt was un- 

 dertaken by my relative Mr, Thomas Lombe Taylor, for a brewery in which 

 he is concerned ; and as it has proved to be a successful experiment after con- 

 siderable perseverance, and has ascertained the thickness of the chalk in that 

 district, where it was hitherto unknown, it may be useful to record the 

 particulars. 



A well had been previously sunk to the depth of fifty feet, all of which was 

 through clay, but sand was met with at the bottom, which yielded an imper- 

 fect supply of impure water ; and as it was found extremely difficult to sink in 

 this sand, cast-iron pipes were driven through it, which reached the chalk at 

 the depth of 100 feet from the surface. 



At this point the boring commenced, and proceeded through 100 feet of 

 soft chalk without any stone, then 100 feet of chalk with flints at the distance 

 of about a yard from each other. The next 100 feet were less flinty, but the 

 flints which were found, were of a larger size than those above them. 



Having attained a depth of 400 feet, and some apprehension being then 

 entertained as to the probability of succeeding in penetrating the chalk, and 

 of obtaining the object of the undertaking, I was asked to advise as to the 

 prudence of going on with it. No opinion could be given as to the probable 

 thickness of the chalk in a part of the country where it never had been proved ; 

 but it was, at the same time, certain that if it was passed through and the 

 sand beneath it could be reached, a plentiful supply of good water would be 

 obtained, and would probably rise to within a moderate distance from the 

 surface. I, therefore, encouraged my relative to persevere, and the boring 

 was continued to the depth of 615 feet, where the tools sunk rapidly for 

 about five feet, as if there had been a cavity ; but this was probably owing to 

 the sand being put into motion by the sudden rise of the water through the 



VOL. V. SECOND SERIES. T 



