47* 



UNITED STATES, 



which have passed through all the stages of theh' 

 existence in the bowels of the earth,*^ 



Surprising extrication of inflammable air. Near 

 one of the sources of Licking river, in Kentucky^ 

 there is a separation of phlogistons gas from some* 

 thing in the interior strata of the eartli, in greater 

 quantity than is perhaps known in any part of the 

 worlde This light and inflammable fluid is discharg- 

 ed through water into the atmosphere. It bubbles 

 incessantly through the centre of a muddy pool of 

 about two rods in diameter. The gas readily takes 

 Hame on burning gun powder in it, or by the ap- 

 proach of any blazing body. The volume of it is so 

 great, that a man who approached near enough to 

 snap a pistol in it, which he held in his hand, wa& 

 suddenly enveloped in the flame, and sorely singed 

 before he could escape. When set on fire, it burns 

 ^ith remarkable splendour and vehemence, not only 

 for hours, but days and weeks in succession, mount- 

 ing to the height of ten or twelve feet or more. The 

 relator of this (Mr. Senator Brecken ridge) was on^' 

 of a party that enpamped near this aerial fountain, 

 on an excursion through the woods ; they discover- 

 ed, that after the inflammable air had been on fire 

 for six or eight hours, the water of the pond was 

 heated to an uncomfortable degree, and emitted co- 

 pious exhalations; and the ebullition at the spot, 

 through which the air ascended, was more vehe^ 

 ment. It was judged, that if the flame had been 

 sufiiciently continued, the water would have been 

 made to boil, and all have been evaporated. Then 

 the surrounding space would have been heated and 

 Aied. And, lastly 5 there was reason tosupposje,- 



