44 
Y. 
OX A HIGHLY rERRUGIXOUS AVATER EROM A WELL 
AT KIRBY BEDOX, NEAR XORWICH. 
By E. Sutton, F.C.S., President. 
Read T.’jth January, 1885 . 
In June, 1884, Mr. John Gunn, the President of the Xorfolk and 
Xorwich Geological Society, called my attention to a well newly 
sunk by Mr. Coaks, at Kirby Bedon, the water of which showed 
some features rather uncommon in this district. It was alleged 
that the water was of much higher temperature when fresh drawn 
than the surrounding atmosphere ; and, moreover, that it was both 
undrinkable, and possessed such peculiar characters in other respects, 
as to render it entirely unfit for general domestic use. AVhen 
attempts were made to wash either the hands or anything else with 
it, it was found that instead of tending to cleanse away dirt, quite 
an opposite effect was produced, and everything was stained and 
made more dirty by its presence. On attempting to use soap with 
it, the evil nature of the water was rendered even more apparent, 
for it rapidly decomposed the soap, setting free the fatty acids into 
a dirty greasy scum. AVhen boiled it turned completely black, 
and deposited a dirty grcenislnblack mud, which, by exposure to 
the air, turned of a brick-red colour, leaving a great amount of 
stain and incrustation upon all the vessels in which it was placed. 
Being myself familiar with the waters contained in rivers, lakes, 
and wells of the Eastern Counties from many hundreds of analyses 
made in tlie course of the past twenty years, and knowing of no 
specimens which exhibited such very marked features as were 
credited to this particular well, I arranged to pay a visit to it in 
company with Mr. Gunn, the late Mr. Orfeur, and Mr. Dix, and a 
day was appointed for tire purpose. AVlien the time came, however. 
