THE MIDDLE LIAS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 
55 
And even this is not all that the pages of the “ Midland 
Naturalist” can do for its readers. It affords them a means, 
which it is earnestly hoped they will more freely avail them¬ 
selves of, of recording natural history observations of local 
interest, and of the interchange of opinion, and of information, 
upon such scientific topics as come within its natural scope. 
For this purpose the editors will be glad to give admission to 
notes and queries, and to answers thereto. 
These, then, are my own personal hopes in undertaking 
duties in connection with the “ Midland Naturalist.” They 
are hopes which are based upon a firm faith in the scientific 
and natural history resources of the Midland Counties ; but it 
lies with others to demonstrate whether they are founded 
upon what is in itself a solid rock, or a shifting and unstable 
sand. If I cling to my faith in the rock, it is mainly because 
I am myself an outcome of a local natural history society ; 
and it is impossible for me to think such dishonour of my 
scientific parentage as to believe that in the living present, 
and the yet unborn future, there are, and will be, in the ranks 
of the members of such societies less ardent lovers of scientific 
truth, than have existed in the past which daily fades from 
our touch. W. Hillhouse. 
February 18th, 1887. 
THE MIDDLE LIAS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 
BY BEEBY THOMPSON, F.G.S., F.C.S. 
PART IY. 
The Middle Lias Considered as a Source of Water 
Supply. 
(Continued from page 41.) 
The Marlstone Springs. —The water which has supplied 
Northampton from 1848 to nearly the present time is derived 
from the Marlstone Rock-bed, and although satisfactory in 
quality, it is not so in quantity. I do not know what the 
average supply has been in recent years ; but in 1871, when 
Northampton contained, according to the census, 45,080 
people, the amount was 6*3 gallons per head per day 
(Haviland); and, although the available amount of water has 
been decreasing from the very first, still the supply to the 
town has once or twice been temporarily increased by 
deepening or making headings. Now, however, there is very 
