THERMAL SPRINGS IN VIRGINIA. 32^ 



On the Connection of Thermal Springs in A^irginia, with 

 Anticlinal Axes and Faults. By William B. Rogers, 

 Professor of Natural Philosoplnj in the Utiicersity of Virg-inia, 



The proximity of some of the noted Thermal Springs of Eu- 

 rope to lines of remarkable disturbance in the stratification, appears 

 to have been early noticed. Whitehurst long ago, in his Theory 

 of the Earth, alluded to this peculiarity of geological position, 

 when speaking of the waters of Matlock. In recent times similar 

 observations have been gxeatly multiplied. Stifft has made par- 

 ticular mention of saddle-shaped elevations of the strata, often 

 accompanied by fractures, as marking the position of the thermals 

 of Nassau. Hoffman has described the waters of Pyrmont, as 

 flowing out in a valley of elevation of a nearly circular form. 

 Conybeare and Buckland have called attention to the remarkable 

 dislocation in the neighborhood of the Bristol hot wells, and 

 Lyell and Murchison have noticed similar phenomena in the 

 vicinity of Aix, in Provence ; while Forbes has made known the 

 important fact, that a large class of thermals in the Pyrenees, and 

 probably elsewhere, flow out at the common boundary of the 

 hypogene and stratified rocks. 



Further instances of the association of thermal springs with 

 dislocations of the strata, and other marks of uphfting and intru- 

 sive action, are mentioned by Dr. Gardner in his valuable treatise 

 on mineral and thermal springs, and stiU more lately by Dr. Dau- 

 beny, in his lucid and comprehensive report on the same subject 

 to the British Association. To the latter distinguished geologist 

 we are indebted for many interesting speculations founded on 

 these and other peculiarities of thermal springs, viewed in their 

 connection mth the theory of volcanic agency, of which he has 

 long been the ingenious and zealous advocate ; and to Professor 

 Bischoff, of Bonn, we are under equal obligations for an elaborate 

 and masterly analysis of the mechanical, geological, and chemical 

 conditions connected with the flow of such waters, together with 

 an explanation of their temperature and impregnation, deduced 

 from the theory of a general subterranean heat. 



