122 SALT WORKS* 



verted into salt by solar evaporation, or subter- 

 ranean heat. But it is evident that this theory 

 is not commensurate with all the facts in the case. 

 Ss.lt springs are found as far east as forty miles, 

 and ail over this western region. 



In 1806 and 1819, years of great drought, the 

 water was very weak. On what principles can 

 we account for this extraordinary fact ? There 

 never has been the least failure of water. 



I saw on the salt marsh, the samphire of the 

 sea coast. Tournefort made the same observa- 

 tions in his voyage to the Levant. " There are, 

 said he, some small risings of fossil salt in Geor- 

 gia. This salt, which chrystalized in bottoms 

 where the rain water stagnates, mixes with the 

 moisture of the earth, and causes it to produce 

 such plants as love the sea shore — such as salt- 

 wert and limonium, I observed the same thing 

 upon the mountain of Cardonna, situated on the 

 frontiers of Catalonia and Arragon, which is 

 nothing but a prodigious mass of salt." 



The country about the salt works is said to be 

 unhealthy. The same evil has been noticed in 

 other places. The spots in Greece, where the 

 malaria is most noxious, are salt works and rice 

 grounds. 



I have no doubt but salt can be procured at 

 Salina for 18 cents a bushel, including the duty 



