No. SOO.j 
various parts of it. It may also be remarked in this place, that proba- 
bly the same agencies which have caused the formation of the gypsum, 
have also given rise to the production of the sulphuretted hydrogen. Their 
origin may, I think, without violence, be ascribed to the action of water 
upon the sulphurets of calcium, magnesium, &c. which not improbably 
exist at great depths. The result of this action would be the evolution 
of vast quantities of sulphuretted hydrogen, and the consequent forma- 
tion of sulphate of lime. It may also be stated, that the existence 
of such a compound in the interior of the earth is in entire accordance 
with the views entertained by many philosophers, concerning the cause 
of volcanic action, to which, indeed, the production of these, as well as 
that of several other springs, may perhaps be most properly referred. 
These views, however, will be more fully unfolded in the notices which 
I shall present of the more important sulphur springs found in the wes- 
tern and south western parts of the State. 
Sharon Springs. — Near the village of Leesville, in the town of Sharon, 
and county of Schoharie, is a spring highly impregnated with sulphuret- 
ted hydrogen, which has acquired a high reputation for the cure of those 
diseases which are known to be relieved by waters of this description. 
It is represented as having the characters of the Virginia springs. Its 
waters, flowing over vegetable substances, encases them in a covering 
of sulphur. So abundant is the evolution of the sulphuretted hydrogen 
gas from this spring, that the metals are quickly tarnished in their vici- 
nity. Mr. Gordon states, that a quarter of a mile from their source, 
though flowing with fresh water, it preserves its distinctive character, to 
a ledge of rocks, over which it falls perpendicularly sixty feet, and has 
a volume sufficient to drive a grist mill.* 
It is worthy of remark, as illustrating the origin of these waters, that 
sulphate of lime is found near the spring in considerable quantity. 
In Otsego county, the town of Richfield contains some sulphuretted 
springs in repute, and much frequented; but I have not yet had an op- 
portunity of ascertaining their chemical composition. 
Prof. Eaton has stated that sulphuretted hydrogen gas issues from a 
spring on the Otsquago creek, ten miles south of Fort-Plain, on the Erie 
canal. The gas burns along the surface of the water, with a bright red 
flame, by day light. It issues from the water continually, at the rate of 
a little more than a gallon in a minute.f 
* Gazetteer of the State of New- York. 
[Assem. No. 200.J 
8 
t Silliman's Journal, XV. 235. 
