General Strata. 359 



It will thus be made evident, that this gas, from its great' 

 er specific gravity, has, in the atmosphere, some of the habi- 

 tudes of liquids ; while its incapacity to support combustion, 

 will be demonstrated. 



That wells are so often fatal to those who enter them, is 

 owing to the tendency of carbonic acid towards the lowest 

 accessible cavities. This gas may be displaced from such 

 situations, by mechanical agitation, by means of any bulky 

 body alternately raised and depressed quickly. Any very 

 inflammable matter, lowered while in a state of inflamma- 

 tion, as a cloth dipped in spirit of wine, or turpentine, would 

 dislodge the gas if not let down into it so precipitately as 

 to be extinguished. The firing of guns into the well, might 

 be useful. Moistened gunpowder, in the same state as in 

 the squibs made by boys, might be worthy of trial. An ounce 

 of gunpowder might be spread over the bottom of a bucket, 

 lowered into the well, and ignited by letting a squib, burning 

 coal, or red hot iron, fall into it. 



Art. XV. — General Geological Strata ; by Prof. Amos 



Eaton. 



(Continued from p. 159.) 



No one is qualified for examining geological facts, nor for 

 reading essays or unsystematic treatises on geology, until he 

 has fixed in his mind a systematic arrangement of general 

 strata. Almost any system, however defective, will serve for 

 a kind of repository wherein he may collate facts for future 

 examination. 



A system of general strata should be as simple as possible, 

 without doing violence to nature. The following remarks 

 and definitions were prepared for those who wish to give a 

 little attention to geology, as circumstances may afford con- 

 venient opportunities ; or who may intend to pursue the stu- 

 dy extensively. Both classes of geologists should commence 

 alike ; as neither can enter upon the threshold of the science, 

 without some general views of classification. 



Every geologist would willingly devote considerable time 

 and attention to this part of the science, if he had no other 

 motives than personal relief from the geological jargon which 

 he is compelled to endure in every steam-boat and canal 

 packet, and at every public watering place. The absurdi- 



