Dr. Tenney's Account of Several Mcdlchml Sjirivrjs. 



53 



This analysis of tliese waters, imperfect as it is, may en- 



i 



able us to account for the formation of those stony substan- 

 ces which surround them. The fixable air, as it approaches 

 the surface of the water, becomes elastick, and flics off: 

 In consequence of this, the water assumes a milky hue, and 



ireoiis earth is precipitated. To as- 



some par 



of the calc 



certain the truth of this supposition, I pulverized some of 

 the stones (both of the porous and compact kind) in a mor- 



* 



tar. They both appeared perfectly similar to the calcareous 

 earth, procured by evaporating the water, and effervesced 

 in like manner with the Aatriolick acid. 



•From the large quantities of calcareous matter deposited 

 round these wells, and the extent of ground rendered per- 

 fectly sterile by the overflowing of the waters, (for there is 

 no kind of vegetation for many rods round on the lower 



side) I cannot but suppose, that these discharges of water 

 have been much greater heretofore, than they are at 

 present : for were they coeval with the earth, T can hard- 

 conceive that the calcareous deposit from so small quan- 

 titles of water, should have formed such masses ; especially, 

 when it is considered that all kinds of large quadrupeds are 

 very fond of it, and that, 'till lately, this country has been 

 well stocked with them. In effect, they have all the ap- 



pearance 



of being in. a state 



of decay. There is one of a 

 small size, within six feet of the conical well, and nearly of 

 the same form, which at present discharges neither air nor 

 water, though it contains the latter, of the same quality with 



the others. 



I will 



