140 M. Chaubaut on the ' 



The water, while traversing these subterranean passages, 

 must, by its motion and the pressure resulting from the more 

 or less considerable eleTation of the springs that feed it, 

 continually wear away their sides, and in the end cause 

 sinkings that sometimes extend to the surface. 



Lastly, when it is observed that ten pumps constantly em- 

 ployed to obtain the waters of the Lons le Saunier spring 

 greatly augment the rapidity of their subterranean course, it 

 will not be surprising that this event should occur more fre- 

 quently at this point than any other. 



From observations made during these sinkings, on the 

 saline spring, it cannot be doubted that at least a part of its 

 waters does not reach them. Now, it is precisely the direc- 

 tion in which the gypsum beds of the knoll of Pimont ought 

 to occur : this fact renders the existence of saliferous gyp- 

 sum infinitely more probable in the heart of this hill. 



Two other saline springs, known by the names of Cornoy 

 Pits, and the Saloir Pool Pits, form, with the above, the 

 objects of the Montmorot salt spring works. 



These are situated at 3 kilometres [about 2.|. miles] to the 

 west of the former, on the hill opposite the knoll of Pimont, 

 and separated from each other by a longitudinal hill of the 

 gryphite limestone formation. 



Two trial pits, cut in the variegated marls, have shewn the 

 existence of gypsum on this hill. 



The springs of Salins, worked at the two salt-works of Salins 

 and Ure, are situated in the same formation ; on the right 

 side of this valley the finest escarpments of the gryphite 

 limestone formation are seen, and the best gypsum quarries 

 of the Jura mountains worked. 



While terminating my observations on the position of the 

 salt springs of this department, I shall mention a specimen 

 of roseate saliferous gypsum, brought from the commune of 

 Toulouse, situated at two myriametrps [more than 15 miles] 

 from Lons le Saunier, which was sent me by M. Bichet, ex- 

 secretary of the prefecture. My researches to discover its 

 position have as yet proved unsuccessful ; but numerous in- 

 dications give rae hopes of finding It in the end. 



