332 
STRANGWAYS: HAKROGATE WELLS. 
the spring-s varied with the amount of rainfall, and " that there was 
a marked relation between the amount of salts in a g-iven quantity 
of the water, and the proportion of rain which had fallen prior to 
the date of each examination," the state of saline saturation increas- 
ing with the dry weather, and decreasing with the wet * This fact 
at first sight would seem to argue that the springs were but super- 
ficial, and that the rain water had easy access to their sources ; but, 
at the same time, it is just as probable that it is the rain falling on 
the western moorlands which causes this effect, as it is that which 
is collected at Harrogate. It would be a very interesting observation, 
and one which I believe has not yet been undertaken, to note the 
different periods of rainfall in these two localities, and to mark the 
effect they have on the saline saturation of the water. It is an 
observation that would require a good deal of care in drawing one's 
conclusions, but I believe we should find that the rain water falling 
absolutely at Harrogate, had very little effect on the springs. 
Again, the temperature of the waters form what may be con- 
sidered almost a direct proof that the sources of the wells are not 
superficial, while at the same time it also proves that they do not 
spring from an enormous depth. Dr. Bennett observes, " that the 
temperature of these sulphur springs during the summer, was always 
above that of the springs of fresh water in the vicinity, and that in 
winter, as in the month of January, when the thermometer had 
had fallen to 29°, these springs were never lower than 41°. 
This shows that the springs are deeply seated enough to be 
somewhat affected by the internal temperature of the earth, but not 
so deep as to be beyond the influence of the external temperature of 
the air, or so deep as to become what we term warm or hot springs, 
like those of Bath and elsewhere. Of course this does not apply to 
the simple Chalybeate waters, which have no peculiar features other 
than those common to the ordinary class of springs, and some of 
which are freely acted upon by changes of temperature. 
The next point to consider, is the different qualities of the 
water, and how this difference is occasioned. For this purpose the 
division into four classes mentioned above, is exceedingly useful. 
* Observation on the Sulphureous Springs of Harrogate, p. 1. 
