stream attained a greater height than during the previous period, and in the main stream it was about 7 inches lower where measured.

During the fourth period, from May 5th to 10th, the wind was variable from south-east to south-south-west, with heavy and partial storms. The excess of rainfall was at Banbury and Cirencester. The flood in the Cherwell, and in the extreme west, rose higher than in the former periods. There are no generally available data, as to the volume of flood-water as compared with the rainfall. Any steps towards the improvement of the Thames valley should be accompanied by a well and regularly conducted series of observations on the volume of the perennial as well as of the flood waters. The latter can only be relied upon, when the volume of the flood requires the removal of all the shutting tackle at the various weirs and locks, so that free passage be given to the water throughout its course.

The action of land drainage on flood water is an important question. Land drainage yearly increases in area and in efficiency. Much information on this point might be obtained from large landed proprietors, who in some localities have drained thousands of acres; but the mere knowledge of the area drained would be no sure guide, without the quality of the work was also ascertained. Another question arises, are the perennial waters augmented, or diminished, by land drainage? It is universally admitted, that the floods in the main river and in its tributaries rise more rapidly than heretofore. In some localities there has been an advance of twenty-four hours in seventy-two hours within the last twenty years. There is a difference of opinion as to the subsidence of the water, and as to the total relative amount of flood.

As to the perennial water: On the escarpments and undulations of the lias and oolitic strata, where the sand or rock outcrops above the clays, the water often exudes so slowly, that it evaporates from the surface of the soil over which it is diffused. This is frequently the case, where these springy places are covered with a peat deposit, the accumulation of a long period. When deep drains are cut into such spots, the water is gathered into a small stream, and sometimes becomes perennial. This more than counterbalances the loss, where too free an outlet is given to sources already perennial, and by which their periodical exhaustion is accelerated. This remark applies to the drainage of the upper and the lower green-sand, and in some cases, to the water issuing from the escarpment of the chalk, and the drift gravel, resting on the various clays: the last are frequently laid quite dry by artificial drainage; at other times, when the water in them is tapped, they become perennial. As yet, land drainage has pro

duced little apparent practical effect on the volume of the flood, or perennial waters of the Upper Thames; though it is probable that floods will be diminished, inasmuch as land drainage promotes winter evaporation, and increases the absorption of rain water by the soil.

There is great scope for improvement in the valleys of the Thames and its tributaries, especially the Thame, the Ock, the Cherwell, and the Evenlode. The antagonism in the interests of the mills and the navigation is an acknowledged difficulty. These are guarded, or restrained, by very definite laws, which also protect the landowners, though their provisions are seldom enforced, and are too often disregarded. Much might be done by the landowners, without affecting the rights or privileges of the mills or of the navigation, by a united and well-matured determination of purpose. After the great flood of 1852, a committee was formed, of which the late Mr. Pusey was the Chairman. A report was published, stating the amount of injury inflicted by the floods, but no action was taken upon it. During the year 1862, an application was made to the Home Office, by an influential Committee, headed by the Duke of Marlborough, to issue a Commission to inquire into the whole question; but as yet nothing has resulted from the interview with Sir George Grey. Under the powers of an Enclosure Bill, with the concurrence and assistance of several landowners, Mr. Bryan Wood has carried out some important works, by which the injury inflicted by the floods has been restrained. These works are based on a different system from that previously suggested. Mr. Wood separates the local drainage entirely from the flood. In describing the physical condition of the river, it has been shown, that in the gradual deposition of the warp covering the natural bed of the valley or vale, by the continued action of the floods, the surface has assumed an inclination from the river to a point at or under the navigation high-water mark. First, all communication with the river is cut off by embankments on both sides, a sufficient area being left within the river bed to carry off the ordinary flood water. Inside these embankments, channels are cut parallel with the course of the river, and of sufficient size to take the adjacent land drainage, as well as the surface drainage of the meadows. The water collected in these channels is then led down, and delivered into the river at a lower level. In the spring of 1862, the crops of hay on the unprotected land were spoiled in growth, or were carried away when cut, by the flood. At the same time, and close at hand, the hay crop on the protected meadows was cut and safely secured, whilst the flood water passed between the embankments, which were 2 feet or 3 feet above the surface of the land. As the winter floods are known to benefit the meadows, if the water does not rest too long upon them, the embankments

are fitted with hatches, by which the flood can be admitted at will. In proof of the injury inflicted on the meadows by a protracted flood, it may be mentioned that, in the spring of 1840, the surface of a large tract of meadow (at the very spot where these improvements have been made) was covered by a substance of macerated vegetable matter resembling a felt of cotton wool. It was in many cases made into garments, and was worn by the farmers, to show the toughness of the material, and as tokens of the effect of a protracted flood. If, by some such system as that adopted by Mr. Bryan Wood, the floods were brought under control, and water prevented from remaining stagnant on the land, two great objects would be accomplished; the improvement of landed property, and of the sanitary condition of the Valley of the Upper Thames.1

The communication is accompanied by a series of diagrams, from which Plate 7 has been compiled.

1 Works are now in progress, executed at the expense of the Rev. R. Greswell, calculated to free part of Port Meadow, belonging to the freemen of Oxford, from stagnant water, by leading it to a large outfall.-J. C. C., Nov. 1864.

[The Rev. J. C. CLUTTERBUCK

are fitted with hatches, by which the flood can be admitted at will. In proof of the injury inflicted on the meadows by a protracted flood, it may be mentioned that, in the spring of 1840, the surface of a large tract of meadow (at the very spot where these improvements have been made) was covered by a substance of macerated vegetable matter resembling a felt of cotton wool. It was in many cases made into garments, and was worn by the farmers, to show the toughness of the material, and as tokens of the effect of a protracted flood. If, by some such system as that adopted by Mr. Bryan Wood, the floods were brought under control, and water prevented from remaining stagnant on the land, two great objects would be accomplished; the improvement of landed property, and of the sanitary condition of the Valley of the Upper Thames.1

The communication is accompanied by a series of diagrams, from which Plate 7 has been compiled.

1 Works are now in progress, executed at the expense of the Rev. R. Greswell, calculated to free part of Port Meadow, belonging to the freemen of Oxford, from stagnant water, by leading it to a large outfall.-J. C. C., Nov. 1864.

[The Rev. J. C. CLUTTERBUCK