16 The American Geol(H/ist. juiy, i89i 
round the central orifice, from which great bubbles of gas arose, 
elevating the surface of the water a foot or more above its level, 
reminding one very much of certain stages in a geyser eruption. 
A strong petroleum smell was emitted. We ignited the gas from 
a safe distance and a column of fiarae sending out an intense heat, 
covered the entire surface of the pond and rose to a hight of 
about six feet al)ove it. We watched it for a while and left it still 
burning. It is evident there are large bodies of gas in this region, 
as shown l\y the two wells, which have been pouring forth vol- 
umes of their incense for over a year to waste on the sage l)rush 
desert. 
Again about two miles from this up the course of the Piceance 
creek we found an alkali pond with numerous gas jets bubV»ling 
up, which ignited with a match and burnt for a few seconds until 
overcome by water. Professor Sadtler tells me that a well has been 
discovered on Bussard creek, twent3'-five miles air line southwest 
from Grlenwood and about the same distance west from Aspen, 
which, on digging, poured forth such volumes of gas that the 
workmen were unable to continue. It is evident that there are 
large bodies of gas in this region, as shown by the wells which I 
have described. It is certain, then, that natural gas exists in 
Colorado. 
What might be done with this if it were within reach of some 
large city like Denver ? What manufactories of glass and other 
works might be run by this cheapest and purest of fuels ? Not to 
mention the illumination of our streets. If the mountain wont go 
to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain ; and it ma}' be 
that commercial men may see the wisdom of establishing their 
manufactories within reasonable distance of these powerful springs. 
PETROLEUM. 
There is a close chemical relation between natural gas, asphalt 
and petroleum. They are all hydro-carbons, and are convertible 
into one another, hence, where one of these substances is found, 
it is not unlikel}- to find the others, so there is a reasonable pros- 
pect that this White River region, abounding in its natural gas 
and asphaltum, may some daj^ be found to produce petroleum also. 
At present our oil production is confined to the small field at 
Florence in the vicinity of Canon City. 
THE FLORENCE OIL FIELD. 
Oil was discovered first in Fremont county on Oil or Four-mile 
