2)12 [Assembly 



is 1,782 feet. An erroneous opinion is extensively entertained that 

 salt water can be obtained by sinking wells to the level of the 

 ocean. Fresh water is abundant below the level of the ocean. 

 Much money has been wasted in sinking salt wells to the level of 

 the sea, and I desire, as far as in niy power, to correct the error 

 which has been a source of loss to those who indulged this belief of 

 finding salt water anywhere on a level with the ocean. 



In the extensive investigations which I have made upon this con- 

 tinent in reference to the stratas of earth passed in sinking salt 

 wells, I am led to conclude that the average ihickness of loose earth 

 upon this continent does not exceed 45 feet; below this is a crys- 

 talized mass 



The salt wells at Kenhawa, in Virginia, are seven of them near 

 2,000 feet deep, and the greater the depth the colder the water. 

 This fact presents the converse of the temperature of the artesian 

 well at Grenoble, which is of nearly the same depth, and I have 

 deemed it important to notice the fact in this communication. 



There is another fact also which seems to be appropriate and 

 proper to be mentioned here. In the deep borings at Kenhawa, the 

 inflammable gas and the brine pass through the tubes with great 

 velocity and force, but in the process of time coat the inside with a 

 hard crystaline substance, and in one or two years close the orifice. 

 It is thus fissures and cracks in the earth's crust are often filled. 



The well at Lockpit, in this State, is 400 feet deep. Two veins 

 of salt water are passed in the boring, which when combined are at 

 the point of full saturation, the consequence of which is the instan- 

 taneous formation of crystals of transparent selenite, in flattened 

 prisms with eight sides, of near one inch in length, an eighth of an 

 inch in width, and of a sixteenth of an inch in thickness; structure 

 minute laminae, and when calcined become opaque. Thus our plas- 

 ter beds are formed. 



I have already extended my remarks to a greater length than I 

 intended, and therefore conclude. 



With great respect. 



Your obedient servant, 



E. MERIAM. 



