THE DROPPING WELL. 
Spring-water, even that which, is the most transparent, generally 
contains certain mineral substances, gathered from the soil through which 
the water flows. These substances are often so completely dissolved as 
to leave the water clear and sparkling, while they add to its wholesome 
qualities, and also render it agreeable to the taste. 
It is owing to these mineral substances that many springs have the 
property of petrifying objects, that is, covering them entirely with a 
stony crust, which makes them appear as if changed into stone. Such 
springs are seen in several parts of our own country ; but far more 
strikingly in foreign lands, in the neighbourhood of volcanoes. The 
Dropping Well at Knaresborough, in Yorkshire, is one of our most 
noted petrifying springs. It rises at the foot of a limestone rock on 
the south-west bank of the river Nidd, opposite to the ruins of Knares- 
borough Castle. After running about twenty yards towards the 
river, it spreads itself over the top of a cliff, from whence it trickles 
down in a number of places, dropping very fast, and making a tinkling 
sound in its fall. The spring is supposed to send forth twenty gallons 
of water every minute, and while in rapid motion, the fine particles in 
which it abounds are carried forward, or very slightly deposited ; but 
as it approaches the cliff, or rocky elevation above named, it meets 
with a gentle ascent, becomes languid in its pace, and then deposits 
abundantly on grass, twigs, stones, &c, a petrifying substance which 
renders them exceedingly beautiful. The cliff is about thirty feet high, 
forty -five feet long, and from thirty to forty broad, having started from 
the main bank, upwards of a century ago, leaving a chasm of two or 
three yards wide. The water is carried over this chasm by an aque- 
duct ; but there is sufficient waste to form beautiful petrifactions in the 
hollow. Small branches of trees, roots of grass, and other objects, are 
incrusted with spar, and, together with pillars of the same substance, 
like stalactites, fringing the banks, form an interesting sight. The top 
of the cliff is covered with plants, flowers, and shrubs, such as ash, elder, 
ivy, geranium, wood-anemone, lady's-mantle, cowslips, wild angelica, 
meadow-sweet, &c. Pieces of moss, bird's nests containing eggs, and 
a variety of other objects, are exhibited to visitors, as proofs of the 
petrifying qualities of the water. The weight of the water is twenty- 
four grains in a pint heavier than that of common water. The top of 
the cliff projects considerably beyond the bottom, and the water is thus 
thrown to some distance from the side of the cliff, which is of a concave 
form. 
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