NATURAL HISTORY. 
15 
there are now no accumulations of water^ or pools of 
any extent. Perhaps the only one deserving notice 
is Longdon Marshy which, after heavy rains, still 
presents the appearance of a considerable lake. 
This change in the aspect of the county connects 
itself with the change of diseases, and agues and 
similar diseases are consequently now almost unknown. 
A change has also by this means been effected 
in meteorological appearances, and the Ignis Fatuus, 
or Will-with-the-Wisp, formerly so common, is now 
rarely seen. 
The Rivers Severn and Avon, however, especially 
the latter, overflow their banks after heavy rains, or 
rapid thaws in the upper country, occasioning partial 
spreads of water, which soon subside.^ But this 
necessarily requires the meadows near their streams 
to remain in pasture, and the hay they produce is 
considered very good. 
The rivers of Worcestershire are the Severn, Avon, 
Teme, and St our ; to which may be added, though 
much smaller, the Salwarp, Arrowe, Ledden and 
Rea. 
The canals, for the extent of the county, are 
numerous, viz. ; the Stourport canal, the Droitwich 
canal, the Worcester and Birmingham canal, the 
Dudley canal, and the Leominster canal near Tenbury. 
The roads have been much improved of late years, 
^ The body of water formed at Tewkesbury, on the southern verge of the county, 
by the confluence of the Severn, Avon, Carron, and Swillgate, is so great as com- 
pletely to insulate that town, and hence the temporary lake formed there during 
floods has been designated as the largest expanse of fresli water in the kingdom. 
But tliis appearance seldom lasts above a fortnight, at one time. 
