MINERAL AND GASEOUS SPRINGS. 
309 
From the facts before noticed, under the description of Corniferous limestone, there is 
scarcely a doubt but these springs have their origin along a line of fault or fracture in the 
strata. Those on the eastern side of the Cayuga lake at Springport have, probably, the same 
origin ; and it is interesting to observe that those in the eastern part of Nevv-York are in simi¬ 
lar situations, but much nearer to strata of igneous or hypogene origin. I am also informed by 
Mr. Yanuxem, that many which he has examined in Virginia, and at the south, are in similar 
situations.* Those of Chateaugay are near the junction of the granite and Potsdam sandstone, 
and in the Calciferous sandrock. 
2. Springs evolving Carburetted Hydrogen and Petroleum (Burning Springs). 
Springs of this character are numerous in the Fourth District. Sometimes the gas alone 
is the only product; and in others it is accompanied by petroleum, or liquid bitumen, which 
spreads over the surface of the water, and can be collected in considerable quantities. These 
are the “ burning springs,'’’’ which in our younger days were such a marvel as a part of 
geographical knowledge. 
These springs are chiefly confined to the higher rocks, though there are a few places where 
they occur in the lower beds. The lowest situation in the Fourth District is at Gasport in 
Niagara county : this has already been noticed in the description of the Medina sandstone. 
Along the outlet of Crooked lake, there are several places where this gas is seen to rise 
from the canal, and streams of water. The principal point is where there is an undulation 
in the strata. 
A mile south of the village of Rushville, in Yates county, there are one or two springs 
which emit a considerable quantity of this gas ; and when ignited, it continues to burn as it 
rises to the surface of the water. It was formerly conducted to a house near by, and used 
for lighting and warming the apartments. It is a popular belief, that wherever this gas rises, 
coal exists beneath the surface ; and accordingly an excavation was commenced at this place, 
which of course resulted in disappointment. The geological situation is in shales of the 
Portage group. 
In the town of Bristol, Ontario county, there are several springs from which this gas issues. 
The quantity is often large, and might be turned to some economical purpose. 
The “ Oil spring as it is termed, is situated on the dividing line of Allegany and Catta¬ 
raugus counties. “ It is a dirty circular pool, about eighteen feet in diameter, filled nearly 
to its margin with foul water, having, at the time we saw it, a small quantity of petroleum in 
clots floating upon its surface.”! 
This description of the famed oil spring corresponds with its appearance when subsequently 
visited. There was a small quantity of the gas issuing at intervals through the viscid film 
• Prof. W. R. Rogers has since published an elaborate paper on the “ Connection of Thermal Springs in Virginia with 
Axes and Faults.” (Transactions of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists.) 
t Vanuxem. Annual Report of 1837. 
