SPRINGS. SALTS. 71 
of those lower parts of each permeable stratum, 
which are beneath the level of the nearest flov/- 
ing springs. Hence if a well be sunk to the 
water-bearing level of any stratum, it forms a 
communication with a permanent subterranean 
sheet of water, affording plentiful supplies to 
the inhabitants of upland districts, which are 
above the level of natural springs. 
A further benefit which man derives from the 
disposition of the mineral ingredients of the 
secondary strata, results from the extensive diffu- 
sion of muriate of soda, or common salt, through- 
out certain portions of these strata, especially 
those of the new red sandstone formation. Had 
not the beneficent providence of the Creator 
laid up these stores of salt within the bowels 
of the earth, the distance of inland countries 
from the sea would have rendered this article of 
prime and daily necessity, unattainable to a 
large proportion of mankind : but, under the 
existing dispensation, the presence of mineral 
salt, in strata which are dispersed generally over 
the interior of our continents and larger islands, 
is a source of health, and daily enjoyment, to 
the inhabitants of almost every region of the 
earth.* Muriate of soda is also among the most 
* Although the most frequent position of rock salt, and of salt 
springs, is in strata of the new red sandstone formation, which 
has consequently been designated by some geologists as the sali- 
ferous system, yet it is not exclusively confined to them. The 
