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Lake in the western part of Madison are of the most importance ; all ex- 

 tend nearly north and south in general direction. Besides these are the 

 romantic Tully Lakes, nine in all (only four however of any consider- 

 able size) on the watershed between Cortland and Onondaga counties ; 

 these also conform in axial direction with the others. In Madison 

 County are Madison and Hatch's lakes with various others of less size 

 and importance. 



Ponds are found in considerable numbers in both counties. Among 

 the most remarkable are the so called " Green Ponds." Of the largest 

 and most peculiar are two near Jamesville, one among the Tully lakes, 

 and the largest of them all near Kirkville. They are commonly'consid- 

 ered " bottomless," but soundings in some parts of the Kirkville pond 

 indicate a depth of 90 feet. The water in all is remarkably clear, con- 

 tains much calcium carbonate (Ca CO s ), and to a greater or less extent 

 is charged with hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S). This last feature is more 

 noticeable at Kirkville, and the pond has received the appropriate name 

 of Lake Sodom. Great quantities of marl are found in the immediate 

 vicinity and in some parts the banks are wholly composed of this mate- 

 rial. The pond one-half mile east of Jamesville is surrounded on three 

 sides by almost perpendicular cliffs of limestone ; in this pond are found 

 considerable quantities of Chara and other aquatic plants. Many of 

 these ponds with their surrounding territory are repositories of rare 

 and interesting plants, and many choice species will reward the diligent 

 search of the botanist. Among other plants may be mentioned Scolo- 

 pendrium vulgare, the rajc Hart's Tongue Fern, at the pond near 

 Jamesville; Pogonia pendula at Kirkville; and Zygadenus glaums at 

 "Tamarack Swamp" near Syracuse, which has every appearance of a 

 former pond now tilled with moss and aquatic plants and covered with 

 a growth of Coniferae. 



Geologically, the basin of Oneida Lake is cut in the Clinton forma- 

 tion, Onondaga in the Salina, and the remaining lakes in the Hamilton. 

 Ponds are found in every formation represented in the counties from 

 north to south. 



E. The most remarkable springs in this portion of the state are the 

 Salt Springs of Syracuse and Salina too well known to be discussed here. 

 In connection with these are the Chlorine springs charged for the most 

 part with chlorine gas, probably derived from the decomposition of salt 

 and other chlorides. The presence of salt on the shores of Onondaga 

 Lake has caused many marine plants to remain and nourish, that are 

 found elsewhere no nearer than the sea. Among these are Ranunculus 

 Cvmbalaria, Hibiscus Moscheutos, Salicornia herbacea. Clienopodium 

 glaucum and many others. Sulphur springs are abundant and are 

 quite generally distributed over both counties. One in particular, " The 

 White Sulphur Springs," two miles south of Chittenango has been to 

 some extent a summer resort for invalids. In various parts of both 

 counties springs and wells may be found containing hydrogen sulphide 

 (H o S) in solution to a greater or less degree. The water of Green 

 Lake near Kirkville, before alluded to, is sufficiently charged to give a 

 perceptible taste of sulphur. Chalybeate or iron springs of various 

 kinds are found in Madison County in various localities ; none, however, 

 are important. 



F. The streams in all parts of Madison and Onondaga Counties as 

 well as in all parts of New York State, contain far less water than 

 formerly. Many streams in various parts which formerly were suffi- 

 ciently large to furnish mill-power throughout the year are now nearly 

 dry during the heat of summer and only of their former size during 

 floods. On the larger streams, where there was formerly much maufac- 

 turing interest and numerous factories and mills of considerable 

 importance, there are now scarcely any. Although a part of this 

 decrease in manufacture may justly be attributed to the centralization 

 of capital in larger establishments with the consequent advantages of 

 improved machinery, still very much is due to the deficiency of water 



