KOCK SALT. 293 



large a part of the same series. The section given by 

 Townson of the mine of Wieliczka, is obviously no 

 other ; consisting of a succession of clay, sand, marl, 

 and sandstone, reaching to a depth of two hundred and 

 forty feet. 



It is not surprising that the origin of rock salt has 

 been a subject of much enquiry among geologists : 

 yet nothing like a rational theory has yet been offered. 

 It is far easier to show that the most simple and ob- 

 vious hypothesis is wrong or imperfect, than to pro- 

 pose a probable one. The origin of gypsum is not 

 less mysterious, even with every conjecture we can 

 make respecting the presencenmd acidification of sul- 

 phur : yet this enquiry has never excited the same 

 anxiety. No rational explanation has yet been sug- 

 gested ; and I have none to offer. But we must seek 

 for the greater ambition of geologists on the subject 

 of Salt, in their wish to derive these deposits from the 

 waters of the ocean in a simple and direct manner ; 

 seizing on one obvious analogy only, to the neglect of 

 other possible modes of explanation. That it has 

 been the produce of the ocean, is possible ; since the 

 rocks among which it is found are indebted for their 

 existence to the same source. Yet no obvious method 

 of accounting for its peculiar appearances or limitation, 

 can be engrafted on that general admission ; while it 

 were as well for geology, and in other matters than 

 this, if they who deposit pure rock salt in the Medi- 

 terranean, at this day, -would learn at least as much of 

 Chemistry as the " Chemist" of three blue bottles. 

 The desiccation of saline lakes will not account for it, 

 because subterranean salt is far more pure than that 

 which must be the produce of the evaporation of the 

 sea. The mode in which it is disposed will not admit 

 of this explanation; and still less can any system of 



