ORIGIN OF SULPHUR SPRINGS. 153 



Origin of the Sulphureous Springs. 



From the descriptions wliicli have now been given of our principal sulpluireous springs, it 

 appears they are almost coextensive with the limits of the State. There are, indeed, few 

 counties in which they have not already been found ; and, as a necessary consequence, their 

 geological positions must be very various. On the Hudson river, they usually rise from the 

 black glazed slate, or the soil which covers it. Proceeding westward from Albany, we have 

 the Sharon springs issuing from the pyritous slates lying under the Helderberg Hmestone 

 series. In Otsego and Herkimer counties, they rise from the drab limestone, and, it is be- 

 lieved, also from the calciferous sandrock. The celebrated springs of Chittenango emerge 

 from the calciferous slate of Eaton ; while in Onondaga county, they appear to have their 

 origin in what are called the saliferous rocks. Again, the Avon springs rise from the hy- 

 drauhc limestone ; while those of a similar kind in Erie and Chautauque, issue from the pp-iti- 

 ferous shale. Thus it would seem that there are few rocks in tlie Slate, from which these 

 springs do not emerge. 



Although it is not easy to calculate the amount of sulphiu-etled hydrogen gas which is 

 evolved by the springs in question, a reference to the notices which have been presented will 

 be sufficient to prove that it must be enormous. The springs to which I would particularly 

 direct attention, as illustrating the correctness of this statement, are those of Madison, Onon- 

 daga, Ontario, Livingston, Monroe and Niagara. 



It may also be remarked, as a peculiarity of these springs, that a great uniformity prevails 

 in regard to their chemical composition. The sulphuretted hydrogen is, in most cases, in 

 simple solution in the water ; although it is occasionally found, as has already been stated, in 

 combination with some basis, forming a hydrosulphuret or hydrothionate. Sometimes, also, 

 the quantity of gas evolved is so large, that when fired, it continues to burn for a considerable 

 length of time. From this it may be inferred that a current of gas passes through the water, 

 independently of the amoixnt with which the water is impregnated. 



In addition to the sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic acid gas, in small quantities, has been 

 found in most of the New-York sulphur springs which have been examined. 



The solid matters which exist in these springs are also quite similar in their nature, whether 

 occurring in rocks of the same, or of different kinds. Carbonate and sulphate of lime have 

 been found in all these waters that have been subjected to analysis ; while in some, sulphates 

 of magnesia and soda have been detected. Chloride of sodium also occurs in many of tliein, 

 and especially in those which rise in the vicinity of the brine springs. But the essential fi.xed 

 ingredients seem to be one, two or more sulphates, which have undoubtedly been foniied by 

 the imion of the bases with the sulphuric acid resulting from the decomposition of the sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen. 



Another general fact in regard to these sulphuretted springs deserves to be here stated. It 

 is, that so far as their temperature has been observed, it is always a little higher than the 

 mean temperature of the locality in which they are found. Thus the temperature of the 



Part I. 20 



