122 Scientific Intelligence, 
the facts, and, after having obtained and closely inspected numerots 
specimens of the r ock-salt, gravel, — s of sandstone, and one very fine 
erystal, over two inches cube and nearly transparent, a all of which are 
now in the Indiana State University, he felt assured that the whole phe- 
nomena must be referred to aqueous action. 
In all probability, the semicircular deposit of sand and gravel, thrown 
to the height of 160 feet waa web inet to the contour of the 
sea coast, resulted from the combined action of the winds and the waves 
of the ocean. In a similar manner, gaciets ridges of nearly the same 
height have formed on the south shore of Lake Michigan, conforming to 
its coast outline; the latest and most northerly being close to the water's 
edge, . having formed since the settlement of the country by the 
white 
As abe: ‘fooult of similar ‘canses, he conceived that these sea-beach 
itted 
geological periods, although chiefly in the true Carboniferous era ; and 
so we may also have saline deposits, greatest, as in Europe, during the 
New Red sero or Saliferous Period, yet taking place also during the 
Quaternary 
hen, hecaven £ these ridges on the Gulf coast became high enough 
to have their materials frequently washed down by rains, the interior 
basin would readily fill up, and ~ detritus gradually cover any articles 
left by the aborigines. The salt and exclusion from air are sufficient to 
account for the preservation of fe relics from decay for a long egerer 
e great inundation which, a few years since, destroyed so many 
families, who had visited Lost Island as a watering-place, was of the 
character above alluded to, and took place only about fifteen miles from 
the salt locality just desc ribed. 
Whether or not the explanations here offered of the interesting phe- 
nomena exhibited at Petite Ance is correct or not, the facts are 
important; and the evidences remain there to be examined at any time 
by those interested. The locality can be reached by railroad travel of 
80 miles from New Orleans to Brashear City; thence, crossing Berwick 
Bay, the traveller, taking horseback or other conveyance for about 40 : 
a reaches New Iberia; thence it is ten miles more - the causeway 
plantation, and two to the salt- boring; which is, as stated, on 4 
palit with Marsh Island on the south, and Vermillion then on the west. 
The property has been sold by Mr. Marsh, and is now owned (he be- 
lieved) by Mr. Ave’ 
It m rie not bei irr elevant to saris as a proof nes at no very distant 
at Se 
