116 Theory of a Salt Rock. 



and so on, with fresh cavities^ as you penetrate deeper In the rock. 

 It has been suggested that this opinion is not in accordance with 

 geological theories, and does not correspond with the regular strati- 

 fication exhibited in our mountains. That the stratification below is 

 not of the same uniformity as above is well established from numer- 

 ous facts, collected from those engaged in boring for salt/' " In 



penetrating our mountains for coal, considerable collections of wa- 

 ter are found near the mouth of the mine, conducted there by per- 

 pendicular fissures ; but these fissures diminish as. we proced, and 

 having gained an entrance to the interior, we shall have passed all 

 moisture. The layers of rock have become impervious to the wa- 

 ter from above ; hence we have no perennial springs, and hence if 

 there be a rock salt deposit, it cannot be dissolved by springs. 

 There must be perpendicular fissures in the lower rock strata, else 

 whence the numerous constant streams of inflammable gas, rising 

 in bubbles from tlie surface of the river and the adjacent earth at 

 the " Burning springs ?" Cannot the water pass down where the 

 gas rises ? There must be rock salt either in mass or lying imbedded 

 with the sandstone and slaty deposits of this region. If the latter, 

 it would be difficult to account for the uniformity of saline impreg- 

 nation for so long a period — no traces of rock salt are found in the 

 borings — why should not the first openings have possessed equal 

 strength? and why should not the volume of water increase as the 

 saline matter Is carried from the cells lo enlarge their openings ? If 

 the mass of rock salt exists as suggested, and the stratification is 

 similar to that of our coal deposits, the dip will be each way from 

 the center of the works, the salt rock lying adjacent to the center, 

 the brine will be found at the least depth here and at greater depths 

 towards the extremities, but not of quite equal impregnation, re- 

 ceiving in its passage from the salt rock an Intermixture of fresh wa- 

 ter, but having the same head, it will rise to the same height in the 

 salt wells.'' " On Campbell's creek, two miles from its mouth, a 

 well was bored to the depth of five hundred feet; salt water of a 

 very slight impregnation was found. This well is a little north east 

 of the old Buffalo lick, where salt was first made. From this spot 

 there is a slight dip towards the river. On Elk river, two miles 

 from its mouth, a well was bored many years since. Salt water was 

 procured of an inferior quality, and actually passed through into 

 fresh water ; this well is north from the Buffalo lick."—" Wells have 

 been sunk fifteen miles above, and forty five miles below us, and 



