BURRELL : DROPPING WELL AT KNARESBOROUGH. 
139 
Saline contents in grains per Gases yielded by the water in cubic 
Imperial Gallon : — inches per Imperial Gallon :— 
Carbonate of Lime .. 23 Carbonic Acid 7 
Sulphate of Lime .. 132 Azote 8 
Sulphate of Mngnesia 11 Oxygen 1 
Carbonate of Soda • 6 
Iron ... ... •• trace 
Total ... 16 
STj , , , Specific Gravity of Water - 1 "0032 
ohd contents on evnporation 1 r2 ^ ^ 
Dr. Hunter considered that under proper management it would be 
a valuable remedy in some cases of Scrofula, Atroply and Rickets. 
This appears to be the last reference to its medicinal qualities, and 
the fame of the water now rests solely upon its petrifactive action. 
It may be of interest to state that at the present time waters of 
a somewhat similiar composition, but very ?7?iich less concentrated than 
that of the Dropping Well, are not considered suitable for drinking, 
and to those of a gouty tendency they would be decidedly injurious. 
So far as I am aware, no analysis has been published since 1830, 
and it seemed very desirable that a more complete examination should 
be made of this curious water. The writer commenced the analysis 
in 1881, but for various reasons it was never completed. The work 
was again taken up in 1894 and extended over the following year, 
various samples of the water having been taken from time to time. 
Knaresborough is situated on the Permian formation, mostly 
Magnesian Limestone. The Dropping Well is in the Long Walk, 
planted by Sir Henry Slingsby in the year 1730, and situated on the 
south-west bank of the river Nidd, where the water rises in the steep 
declivity of a hill, and flows in a small stream for about 24 yards. It is 
then caused to spread over the surface of a large rock, some 30 feet 
high and 45 feet long, over which it trickles. The upper part of this 
rock projects considerably over the base (as in Dr. Short's time), and 
it is to this projection that the articles to be petrified are hung. The 
projecting portion of the rock is scraped at intervals of six or seven 
weeks in order to prevent it becoming top heavy. 
The water for analysis was collected immediately as it issued from 
the ground ; at this point it is very clear and free from suspended 
