A Species of Subterraneous Fire, Observ'd in the Same County; communicated in a Letter to Dr. Jurin, by Robert Nesbitt, M.D. Coll. Med. Lond. Lic.

VI. A Species of subterraneous Fire, observ'd in the same County; communicated in a Letter to Dr. Jurin, by Robert Nesbitt, M.D. Coll. Med. Lond. Lic. SIR, I Here send, as you desired, the best Account I can of a Species of subterraneous Fire, which was first taken notice of on the second of August last, in a Marshy-Field situated in the Parish of Flinx-Hill, about ten or twelve Miles South West of Canterbury in the County of Kent. This Fire began on the side of a little Brook near the Water, and continu'd to burn along its Bank, without spreading much for some Days. Afterwards it appeared on the other side, and extended itself the space of some Acres over the Field, consuming all the Earth, where it burnt, into red Ashes quite down to the Springs; which in most places lay four Feet or more deep. On the twenty fourth of September I went to see it, and found it had consumed, as well as I cou'd guess by my Eye, about three Acres of Ground. It then burnt in many Places, and sent forth a great Smoak and strong Smell, very like to that of a Brick-Kiln. It never flamed but when the Earth was turn'd and stirred. For some space round where it was burning, the Ground felt hot, tho' the Grass seemed no more parch'd than might reasonably be expected from the Dryness and Heat of the Season. I caused it to be turn'd up in several Places, and found the Earth hot and and wet near four Feet deep, and much hotter about two feet than near the Surface. When this Earth was exposed to the Air, tho' it was very moist and not hotter than you might easily bear with your Hand, the Heat increas'd so fast, that in a few Minutes it was all over on Fire, like Phosphorus made with Allom and Flower. The Soil of the Field is of the same nature with that they make the Turf of in Holland; the Surface of it is always wet, except in extreme dry Seasons. This Year it was somewhat more parched and harder than usual. I believe, from what has been related, it is not more difficult to account for this Fire, than for those Fires which often happen in Hay-ricks when Hay is stacked before it is thoroughly made. P. S. I send you a Piece of the Earth, and some of the Ashes. I should have mentioned, that I took several Pieces of the Earth, before I was able to bring one away, because of its firing; one Piece, in particular, I gave to my Servant, which firing in his Pocket, had almost burnt its way out before it was perceived. I am, &c. VI. An