MUCK SWAMPS. 
359 
CHAPTER XVI. 
Muck swamps—Lake marl , and tufa or travertine—Discoloration of sands and 
clays by percolating water. 
The accumulations of calcareous marl and tufa or travertine, are among the most interesting 
and important of the modern formations. The early condition of the surface ; the existence 
of large lakes, and their mode of drainage, has been before alluded to. In much more recent 
periods, and within the limits of human recollection, other changes, perhaps not as extensive, 
but of the same nature, have been going on. Small lakes are gradually drained by the deepen¬ 
ing of their outlets, or filled up by the accumulation of sediment brought in by their tributaries. 
The effect becomes the same in both cases : as the water grows shallow, a growth of vegeta¬ 
tion, fitted for the condition, springs up on the bottom; the plants are at first few, but the 
accumulation of mud and silt around these prepares the bottom for a stronger growth ; and, 
finally, it becomes covered with the marsh grasses, Sparganium and the like. Mosses and 
shrubs sometimes succeed this, and finally larger trees, till the whole becomes overgrown with 
forest. 
The luxuriant vegetation which thus year after year decays, and is accumulated upon the 
bottom, forms a thick bed of muck. In the Fourth District its condition is not that of peat, 
it being loose and friable, and crumbling to pieces when dry. 
Many of these muck swamps are very extensive, and of the utmost importance to the 
farmer as a source of manure for his crops. In the southern counties, where vegetable ma¬ 
nure is much needed, there are large tracts which could be drained at a moderate expense, 
and which would prove an invaluable acquisition to the inhabitants ; for not only will they 
yield a constant supply of manure, but they are even more productive than the higher grounds, 
which are cultivated, while these are neglected. Along the south side of the Ridge road, and 
upon the borders of Lake Ontario, there are also extensive swamps and marshes, which, even 
in the natural course of things, are becoming redeemed from this condition. 
The Cayuga marshes present an area of sixty thousand acres, which are almost useless in 
their present condition, but which may be reclaimed, and become some of the most valuable 
tracts in Western New-York. Even the growth and destruction of vegetable matter, and the 
accumulation of mud and silt, will eventually redeem this tract, though by artificial means it 
would be much sooner accomplished. This immense area has once evidently been a portion 
of the lake, and deeply covered with water. The outlet of Seneca lake has deposited here 
