No. 275.] 33^ 
carbonic acid escapes, a thin deposit of calcareous matter is observed* 
A deposit has been discovered on the farm of Mr. Lyon, two miles 
northeast of Johnson's settlement. In the tov^rn of Dix, at the Beaver- 
dam, there is an extensive bed of marl, which has been burned for lime; 
it is cut into blocks, dried, and then laid in the kiln for burning. An- 
other extensive bed occurs on the farm of Mr. Lounsbury, near Horse- 
heads. The two last named beds contain large numbers of shells, of 
the genus Helix, Paludina, Planorb.s, Trivolva and Cyclas. 
Four miles north of Bath, at Townshend's mill, there is an extensive 
bed of marl and tufa; the whole is a deposit from a copious spring 
which supples the hydraulic power of the mill. The marl is much mix- 
ed wtih loam and clay, and is unfit for lime, except that used for agri- 
cultural purposes. The tufa could be advantageously burned for lime, 
in a region where this substance is transported thirty or forty miles. 
Bog iron ore occurs in numerous localities, but in so small quantities 
as to be of little value. It is usually found at the outlet of swamps, 
or low grounds covered with vegetable matter, the decomposition of 
which furnishes carbonic acid to the iron in the soil below, thus rendering 
it soluble in water. To this cause is owing the whiteness of sand and 
gravel below mucky grounds, the iron, which was the colouring mat- 
ter, having been dissolved and removed. 
IVaier and Springs. Throughout the greater part of the district exa- 
mined, water is easily obtained, and springs are abundant. In some 
places in the north part of Ontario and Seneca counties, where the al- 
luvium is of great depth, some difficulty occurs in obtaining a sufficient 
supply. Where only the ordinary depth of alluvial occurs, springs rise 
to the surface at frequent intervals. Ahnost all the water is charged 
with calcareous matter; and deposits, often minute, occur in most of the 
streams or springs. In the southern part of the district, the streams 
which rise on the hills arc pure, but after passing through the alluvium, 
they are charged with calcareous matter, or become hard water. 
Hydrosulphuretted springs are numerous, particularly along the range 
of shales above the Seneca limestone; and also in the water lime group. 
Several springs of this kind were noticed in Seneca county, but none 
of them copious. The most remarkable one occurs in the eastern 
part of Manchester, on the road from Vienna to Canandaigua; the 
odor of the gas is perceptible at the distance of a quarter of a mile. 
The water issues from several points at considerable distances from each 
other, but all at about the same elevation in the rock. Two or three 
