ORIGIN OF SULPHUR SPRINGS. 
153 
Origin op the Sulphureous Springs. 
From the descriptions which have now been given of our principal sulphureous springs, it 
appears they are almost coextensive with the limits of the State. There are, indeed, few 
counties in which they have not already been found ; and, as a necessary consequence, their 
geological positions must be very various. On the Hudson river, they usually rise from the 
black glazed slate, or the soil which covers it. Proceeding westward from Albany, we have 
the Sharon springs issuing from the pyritous slates lying under the Helderberg limestone 
series. In Otsego and Herkimer counties, they rise trom the drab limestone, and, it is be¬ 
lieved, also from the calciferous sandrock. The celebrated springs of Chittenango emerge 
from the calciferous slate of Eaton; while in Onondaga county, they appear to have their 
origin in what are called the saliferous rocks. Again, the Avon springs rise from the hy¬ 
draulic limestone ; while those of a similar kind in Erie and Chautauque, issue from the pyriti- 
ferous shale. Thus it would seem that there are few rocks in the State, from which these 
springs do not emerge. 
Although it is not easy to calculate the amount of sulphuretted hydrogen gas which is 
evolved by the springs in question, a reference to the notices which have been presented, will 
be sufficient to prove that it must be enormous. The springs to which I would particularly 
direct attention, as illustrating the correctness of this statement, are those of Madison, Onon¬ 
daga, Ontario, Livingston, Monroe and Niagara. 
It may also be remarked, as a peculiarity of these springs, that a great uniformity prevails 
in regard to their chemical composition. The sulphuretted hydrogen is, in most cases, in 
simple solution in the water; although it is occasionally found, as has already been stated, in 
combination with some basis, forming a hydrosulphuret or hydrothionate. Sometimes, also, 
the quantity of gas evolved is so large, that when fired, it continues to burn for a considerable 
length of time. From this it may be inferred that a current of gas passes through the water, 
independently of the amount with which the water is impregnated. 
In addition to the sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic acid gas, in small quantities, has been 
found in most of the New-York sulphur springs which have been examined. 
The solid matters which exist in these springs are also quite similar in their nature, whether 
occurring in rocks of the same, or of different kinds. Carbonate and sulphate of lime have 
been found in all these waters that have been subjected to analysis; while in some, sulphates 
of magnesia and soda have been detected. Chloride of sodium also occurs in many of them, 
and especially in those which rise in the vicinity of the brine springs. But the essential fixed 
ingredients seem to be one, two or more sulphates, which have undoubtedly been formed by 
the union of the bases with the sulphuric acid resulting from the decomposition of the sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen. 
Another general fact in regard to these sulphuretted springs deserves to be here stated. It 
is, that so far as their temperature has been observed, it is always a little higher than the 
mean temperature of the locality in which they are found. Thus the temperature of the 
Part I. 20 
