386 Rohh on Superficial Dejyosits in Canada, 



iron. The same reaction takes place when oxide of iron is put 

 into a close vessel with any vegetable matter, sulphate of lime 

 being present ; and such, or a similar process, I conceive to have 

 intervened in every case where metallic sulphurets are found in 



nature." 



For what purpose the twig with the leather bag had been used 

 and how long it had been immersed in the water, I am unable to 

 stale nor have I had any opportunity of ascertaining the chem- 

 ical composition or temperature of the water yielded by the springs 

 referred to. At one place I observed that the water was very 

 sour to the taste, and probably contained a small proportion of 

 free sulphuric acid. I was informed that occasionally the air 

 in this ravine was oppressively hot and sulphurous, and that when a 

 slio-ht fall of snow would lie in other parts of the lot, it would 

 rapidly melt here. A salt well occurs at no great distance from 



this place. 



Towards the southeast of the spot more immediately referred 

 to and at a distance of about half a mile from it, there occurs a 

 series of remarkable pits or depressions in the earth, some long 

 and irregular, but mostly conical or funnel shaped, and ranging in 

 a line with each other and with the hollow where the springs are 

 situated, but at a considerably higher elevation. The conical pits are 

 remarkably regularin shape, and judging by the eye, may be about 

 50 feet in diameter by about half that in depth. That they are of 

 very recent origin is proved by the fact that in more than one 

 instance I found trees of no very great age growing perpendic- 

 ularly to their sloping sides. 



I have now to direct attention to a very singular and interesting 

 occurrence at the locality in question, which, taken in connection 

 with the details I have already given may throw some light on 

 the subject of earthquakes and their associated phenomena. The 

 facts I have now to state are given on the authority of my friend 

 who resides on the lot, and whom I know to be a very intelligent 

 and trustworthy observer ; and as it is best that facts of this nature 

 should be given circumstantially, and in the language employed by 

 the observer at the time of their occurrence, I shall quote from his 

 own letter written within two days after the event ; premising that 

 the frame house in which he dwells is situated on a rising ground 

 immediately above, and in full view of the hollow in which the 

 remarkable springs occur. 



