28 RESOURCES OF SOUTHERN ALABAMA. 



when freshly quarried, but hardening and turning gray on 

 prolonged exposure. That and the Buhrstone are used ex- 

 tensively for chimneys and pillars in the areas where they 

 occur, as is a rock somewhat similar to the Buhrstone out- 

 cropping a little farther north, for example near Greenville. 

 Another mineral product, that seems to have become a 

 source of considerable revenue in the last year or two, is 

 a pyritous earth occurring in the Hatchetigbee and (less 

 abundantly) in other formations, which has been made the 

 basis of several patent medicines. 



There are several mineral springs of diverse composi- 

 tion, particularly in the Hatchetigbee anticline, and some 



FIG. 3. Looking north across cultivated valley of Cedar Creek, 

 from the Ridge, over 100 feet above it, between Manningham and 

 Ridgeville, Butler County. June 11, 1919. 



of them have had considerable reputation as watering- 

 places. Some of the underground water is decidedly briny, 

 and where that comes to the surface in springs, as in south- 

 ern Clarke County, salt was manufactured during the Civil 

 War, the natural springs being supplemented by bored wells. 

 In southern Choctaw County some of the water that seeps 

 out in low places contains an alkali, sodium carbonate, which 

 has a stunting effect on the surrounding vegetation. Some 

 deep wells have yielded besides hot brine a little natural gas 

 and some indications of oil. 



