256 ON THE DROITWICH BRINE-SPRINGS AND SALIFEROUS MARLS. 
violent fracture, as if, in some sudden upheaval (such as must have 
occurred when the Cheshire marls became separated from the 
Southern Midlands), the less compact bands were dissevered at right 
angles to the lines of stratification ; the harder sandstones do not 
show any such indications. I have noticed something similar to 
this in the limestone districts of North Wales. 
In conclusion, the calculation has been made that some 2 million 
tons of salt have been extracted at Droitwich and Stoke in the last 
20 years through the working of the brine-springs, a further proof 
of the empty cavities which have been gradually created beneath the 
town, and showing how such spaces are constantly enlarging and 
extending all round. 
In this paper I have merely attempted to show :— 
1. The extent of the brine-cavities beneath Droitwich, and the 
consequent insecurity of the greater part of the town. 
2. The probable sourse of the brine-water system, as distinct from 
the Keuper springs. 
3. The probability of extensive beds of rock-salt lower than the 
present brine-cavities, and to the N.E. of Droitwich, partly proved 
by the deeper borings at Stoke works. i 
4. The details of more recent borings at Droitwich and Stoke 
works. 
Discussion. 
Capt. Dovetas Gatron said that for every ton of salt at Droitwich 
900 gallons of water were pumped, a quantity sufficient to exhaust 
the rainfall of about six square miles, and that whilst formerly the 
Droitwich brine-springs overflowed at the surface, the brine is now 
pumped up 200 feet. He remarked on the difference of level 
between the Droitwich and Stoke deposits—the highest bed of 
rock-salt at Droitwich being about 120 feet below mean sea-level 
and the lowest 170 feet; whilst at Stoke the first bed, which is very 
thin, is at 170 feet below sea-level, and the lowest yet reached at 
300 feet. He suggested the existence of a great fault between 
Stoke and Droitwich. He thought the question of the existence of 
deeper supplies of brine at Droitwich a doubtful one. 
Prof. Jupp expressed his regret that, owing to ill health, the Author 
was not present to reply to questions which had been asked con- 
cerning his paper. 
