SPRINGS. SALT. 
71 
® t ose^lower parts of each permeable stratum, 
^ ich are beneath the level of the nearest flow- 
springs. Hence if a well be sunk to the 
Water-bearing level of any stratum, it forms a 
onimunication with a permanent subterranean 
eet ot water, affording plentiful supplies to 
ie inhabitants of ujjland districts, which are 
^ o\e the level of natural springs. 
A further benefit which man derives from the 
isposition of the mineral ingredients of the 
secondary strata, results from the extensive diffn- 
sion of muriate of soda, or common salt, through- 
out certain portions of these strata, especially 
ose 0 the new red sandstone formation. Hatl 
not the beneficent providence of the Creator 
ai up these stores of salt within the bowels 
o tie earth, the distance of inland countries 
rom the sea would have rendered this article of 
Pinne and daily necessity, unattainable to a 
arge proportion of mankind : but, under the 
IS ing dispensation, the presence of mineral 
sa , in strata which are dispersed generally over 
e inteiior of our continents and larger islands, 
iti ^ bealth, and daily enjoyment, to 
uriate of soda is also among the most 
sprinp-c most frequent position of rock salt, and of salt 
^>as CO ' new red sandstone formation, wkicU 
ferous'sv^T"^"**^ been designated by some geologists as the sali- 
js em, yet it is not exclusively confined to them. The 
