'Saliferous Rock Formation in the Valley of the Ohio. 65 



The hills are sandstone, based on lime, one hundred and fifty or 

 two hundred feet in height, with abundant beds of stone coal near 

 their feet. The oil from this well is discharged periodically, at in- 

 tervals of from two to four days, and from three to six hours duration 

 at each period. Great quantities of gas accompany the discharges of 

 oil, which for the first few years, amounted to from thirty to sixty gal- 

 lons at each eruption. The discharges at this time are less frequent, 

 and diminished in amount, affording only about a barrel per week, 

 which is worth at the well from fifty to seventy five cents a gallon. 

 A few years ago, when the oil was most abundant, a large quantity 

 had been collected in a cistern holding thirty or forty barrels. At 

 night, some one engaged about the works approached the well-head 

 with a lighted candle. The gas instantly became ignited, and com- 

 municated the flame to the contents of the cistern, which giving way, 

 suffered the oil to be discharged down a short declivity into the creek, 

 whose waters pass with a rapid current close to the well. The oil 

 still continued to burn most furiously ; and spreading itself along the 

 surface of the stream for half a mile in extent, shot its flames to the 

 tops of the highest trees, exhibiting the novel, and perhaps never be- 

 fore witnessed spectacle of a river actually on fire. 



Strength of the salt water. 



The greater or less degree of saturation in the water of the differ- 

 ent salines must depend on circumstances, and is influenced by sev- 

 eral causes. It may meet with springs of fresh water as it rises near 

 the surface, which, often times, greatly diminishes its strength. A well 

 may perhaps only reach the upper stratum, which generally affords a 

 weaker water than the lower, or if it descends to the lower saliferous 

 rock, it may be at a spot hot so fully impregnated with saline matter, 

 and thus it will afford a much weaker water. The strength of a water 

 is usually ascertained by its weight ; whatever it may weigh over and 

 above the weight of an equal amount of rain water, is put down for 

 its salt producing quality. This quality, when put to the test by the 

 manufacturer, it will, however, more than sustain,* although the 

 strict chemical analysis would produce a result coinciding with its 

 actual weight. On comparing the two modes, they stand as follows. 

 One pint of water from the Muskingum saline, weighs one pound, two 

 ounces and one hundred and sixty grains, and requires seventy five 



* Owing obviously to other substances besides the salt. — Ed. 



Vol. XXIV.— No. 1. 9 



