Hell Kettles - a forgotten corner

摘要

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the flora, that was recorded in this area over one hundred years ago, is still surviving. Hell Kettles consists of two ponds situated in a marshy field between Darlington and Croft-on-Tees (NZ281.109). Famous botanists of Darlington: Stephen Robson (1777), Dr R. Taylor Manson (1884), and J.B. Nicholson (1929) visited and recorded plants at Hell Kettles. Taylor Manson, past president of Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists'Field Club and author ofthe book Zig-zag ramblings of a naturalist, said, and I quote: "I very heartily wish that before long a Naturalists' Field Club may take up the work I have begun". This was the inspiration for my work. Taylor Manson explained the formation of these Kettles, stating: "Hell Kettles, [are] situated on... strata which [are], in a descending order.... 1. Alluvial clay, sand, gravel and clay; 2. Red sandstone; 3. Magnesian limestone. A series of cavities in the magnesian limestone filled with water, which was under pressure.... During wet weather hydraulic pressure caused the gravel and clay roof to force outward by water and by compressed gases.... resulting in the formation of these kettles.... water charged with salts of magnesia, lime and soda still flows from the Magnesian limestone." The maps presented were drawn in 1855 and 1896, showing four kettles. The 1967 map shows only two kettles.