(1062)
nearest Salt-springs to this place are at Dartwich about 3. miles from it, belonging to the present Lord Keeper, and My Lord Cholmondeley.
Some Hills we have, but no bigg ones, near our Springs; which generally lye all along the River Weever, as Hankollow Hatherton, Osterson, Batherton, Nantwich, Weever, Lestwich, Northwich; yet there is an appearance of the same Veine at Midlewich nearer the Rivet Dane, than Weever; which notwithstanding seems not to be out of the Line of the Weeverish streame; and these lye all near Brooks, and in Medowish grounds.
As to Plants, I could observe no singularity at all; for, where the Salt reaches the surface, it frets away all (as I said before,) and upon the Turfe neat the old decayed Pitts grows the very same, that doth in the remotest place of the Meadow; only I observe, that, where the Turff was fretted away, Rushes maintain'd their station longest; yet they grow also in other moist grounds, so that they are no friends to the Salt-springs, but I perceive, they resist them best.
3. Whether there be any Hot-springs near the Salt-ones? And Whether the Water of the Salt-springs be hotter or cooler, than other Spring-water? The Water of the Salt-springs here is very cold at the bottom of the Pitt, insomuch that when the Briners sometimes goe about to cleanse the Pitt, they cannot abide in, above half an hour, and in that time they drink much Strong water.
There is not any Hot Springs (that I can hear of) nearer us, than Buckston-well, which is about 30. miles distant near Darby-Peak Hills.
4. Whether they find any Shells about those Springs, and what kind of Earth it is? I cannot hear of any Shells digged up, though of late several new Brine-springs have been both sought, and found by sinking deep Pitts; yet none knows of any Shels, but rather a blackish Slutch mixt with the Sand, which infects the whole Spring (like the Scuttle-fish) black, when 'tis stirr'd; else the water runs very clear.
5. How string the Water is of Salt? Springs are rich or poore in a double sence; for a Spring may be rich in Salt, but poor in thequantity
