310 
GEOLOGY OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT 
which covered its surface. About half a pint of the petroleum, or Seneca oil, was collected. 
This spring is at the base of a hill on the Reservation, of one mile square, belonging to the 
Cattaraugus Indians, who reside on the Allegany river. 
There are several other places in the county of less importance, where both petroleum and 
carburetted hydrogen gas are evolved from springs. The rocks, in nearly all localities, emit 
a bituminous odor on percussion, and the fluid bitumen often exudes from pores or cavities. 
In Cattaraugus county, carburetted hydrogen gas issues from the springs and running 
streams in numerous places. In the town of Freedom, there is an oil spring similar in many 
respects to that of Cuba in Allegany county. The spring is situated on a slope below the 
outcropping edge of a highly bituminous sandstone, which rests on an impervious shale, as 
seen in the woodcut. 
155. 
a. The position of the spring. 
The origin of this spring is doubtless from the bituminous matter which is carried down by 
the water as it percolates through the interstices of the sandstone. Several excavations have 
been made near this spring for coal; and in one of these, after breaking through a hard stra¬ 
tum in the shale, a large quantity of the petroleum, mixed with water, rushed up, entirely 
filling the cavity. The quantity was so great, that for a long time several gallons were daily 
collected. 
In Chautauque county, a larger quantity of the gas issues from springs, streams and pools, 
than elsewhere in the district. In many instances the gas is accompanied by petroleum, which 
forms a thin pellicle upon the surface of the water; in other places the gas rises alone, and 
sometimes the petroleum occurs where there is no visible evolution of the gas. 
Near Forrestville, there is a copious emission of this gas ; and it has been in contemplation 
to convey it to the village, for the purpose of lighting the houses and stores. At Laona there 
is a stratum of highly bituminous sandstone, and the water, rising to the surface, is accom¬ 
panied by petroleum and gas. The sandstone appears to be charged with this fluid : it issues 
from the pores on fresh fracture; and specimens, after remaining for two years in the cabinet, 
still emit a strong bituminous odor. 
