MONROE COUNTY. 
427 
expect from the dip of the strata; and in some cases a well dug to the south of one already 
supplying water, will drain the latter entirely. In such cases, it is only necessary to excavate 
the northern well deeper to obtain a supply. 
The southern part of the county is plentifully supplied with water, both from springs and 
streams; though towards the northern limit of the gypseous marls it is often necessary to 
penetrate these rocks to the depth of fifty to sixty feet, and in some instances to two hun¬ 
dred and even three hundred feet, before a supply is obtained. The earthy or compact por¬ 
tions of these rocks afford but little water, till penetrated to considerable depths ; and when 
it is obtained, it appears to flow from a cavity or reservoir in the rock. 
Springs of hydro-sulphuretted water are of frequent occurrence in almost every part of the 
county, but more particularly along that portion occupied by the shales, both above and below 
the limestone. Some of these springs are celebrated, and are much resorted to by invalids and 
fashionable visiters. Among these may be enumerated the Monroe springs, about five miles 
from Rochester, pleasantly situated in a grove not far from the road leading from Rochester 
to Pittsford. 
There is a copious spring of this kind, rising to the surface, on the land of Timothy Colby, 
in Ogden. There is also another similar spring, very highly impregnated with sulphuretted 
hydrogen, in the northern part of this town. 
The Riga mineral spring is said to be very beneficial in cutaneous diseases. This 
spring rises from near the junction of the limestone with the gypseous rocks above. Inflam¬ 
mable gas (carburetted hydrogen) rises from this spring in sufficient quantities to supply a 
constant flame from a half inch tube. Iron is an ingredient of the water, as appears from 
the tests applied, and the presence of some salt is indicated by its taste. The rock from 
which the spring issues is a dark green gypseous marl. 
Many springs contain large quantities of carbonate of lime in solution, which, as the water 
comes to the air, is deposited in the form of tufa, or a fine pulverulent marl. Where the 
quantity is small, it forms the porous vesicular deposit called tufa; but where the water is 
abundant, or where the spring rises in a level tract or swamp, the deposit is marl. The most 
copious spring of this kind is in Caledonia, Livingston county, though the deposit is chiefly 
made in Monroe county. There is a similar spring at the source of Mill creek. After the 
carbonate of lime is deposited, the water of these springs is nearly pure acid water. 
Salt Springs. 
There are several salt springs in the county, from which salt has formerly been made, but 
they have been abandoned since the facilities of transportation have increased ; and salt is now 
obtained much cheaper from Salina than it can be made from these springs. None of them 
appear to have been penetrated to a great depth, and in their present state are so much diluted 
with fresh water that the saline taste is barely perceptible. Owing to this circumstance, and 
to the impossibility of obtaining accurate local information, no estimate can be formed of theii; 
value. All these springs appear to have their- origin in the indurated marl of the Medina 
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