NATURAL HISTORY. 
121 
wells in this county, I may say a few words in order 
to dispel the fears which prevail respecting it. Many 
persons seem disposed to attribute the prevalence 
of some diseases in the county, as wen, scrofula, and 
consumption, to the impurity of the water. It 
appears to me, however, that the impurity of the 
water of this county has been greatly overstated. 
That it contains a considerable proportion of the salts 
of lime is very evident, but it is difficult to conceive 
how these can be instrumental in producing the 
direful effects that have been attributed to them ; 
since it is well known that some of the salts of this 
earth are in daily use as remedies for these diseases. 
The water therefore may fairly be considered as free 
from deleterious impregnation. One consequence 
resulting from the spring water containing lime so 
generally in solution, is the occurrence of petrifying 
springs in several parts of the county. The springs, 
for example, on the western side of the limestone 
hills beyond Leigh Sinton, are so loaded with 
calcareous matter that the moss within their 
influence becomes literally turned into stone, and 
specimens may be collected appearing as if they 
had been subjected to the power of Medusa's 
head.^ 
* In addition to the mineral waters already noticed, many others might be men- 
tioned, as the saline springs at Abberton, Walton, near Tewkesbury, and a power- 
ful purgative water close to the river Ledden, near Redmarley, but as the ingredients 
of them all are very nearly similar to the Hampton Spa, it is unnecessary to dilate 
upon them. The one last named is popularly known as " the spa," and is 
constantly resorted to by the country people around, and used by them as an 
aperient. 
