805 
1879.] Remarkable Water and Gas Geyser. 
2. Articulate speech is a universal attribute of man, and 
all the races have a language or the capacity of 
acquiring one. 
3. The faculty is immaterial. 
Dr. Bateman also discusses and criticises the views of the 
German neologists on Life-matter and Force, ending with 
some remarks on the mysteries of life itself. 
VII. A REMARKABLE WATER AND GAS 
GEYSER. 
S S early as 1833 a salt well, drilled in the valley of the 
Ohio, threw columns of water and gas at intervals 
of ten to twelve hours to heights varying from 50 to 
100 feet. A number of wells in the oil regions have since 
then thrown water geysers, but none have attracted so much 
attention as one situated near Kane. 
The columns are composed of mingled water and gas, the 
latter being readily ignited. After nightfall the spectacle is 
grand. The antagonistic elements of fire and water are so 
promiscuously blended that each seems to be fighting for the 
mastery. At one moment the flame is almost entirely ex- 
tinguished, only to burst forth at the next instant with 
increased energy and greater brilliancy. During sunshine 
the sprays form an artificial rainbow, and in winter the 
columns become encased in huge transparent ice chimneys. 
The cause of the adtion is thus explained by Mr. C. A. 
Ashburner, in “ Stowell’s Petroleum Reporter ” 
This well is situated in the valley of Wilson’s Run, near 
the line of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, 4 miles 
south-east from Kane. It was drilled by Messrs. Gruhout 
and Taylor, in the spring of 1878, to a total depth of 
2000 feet. No petroleum was found in paying quantities, 
and the casing was drawn and the hole abandoned, since 
which time it has been throwing periodically — every ten to 
fifteen minutes — a column of water and gas to heights 
varying from 100 to 150 feet. 
During the operation of drilling, fresh “ water-veins ” 
were encountered down to a depth of 364 feet, which was 
the limit of the casing. At a depth of 1415 feet a very 
heavy “ gas vein ” was struck. This gas was permitted a 
