470 GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 
we consider the large extent of surface, which rises above the place of 
the springs, upon which falls throughout the whole year about thirty 
inches in perpendicular height of water, in the form of snow or rain, 
and the suitable character of the deep Drift and porous rock for absorbing 
and retaining this, to be yielded gradually, we need not be surprised at 
the quantity of water which flows from these springs. The surprise, 
which is often expressed, has not been at the absolute quantity of water, 
for this is not great compared with many other springs, but at the quan- 
tity which should issue from a locality which seems to be so near the 
general level of the country immediately in the vicinity, whence the sup- 
ply must apparently come. But the supply may be drawn, as I have 
endeavored to show, from a much greater distance than we might at first 
suppose. 7 | 
Wells.— Where there are no springs, water is readily obtained by sink- 
ing wells, either in the Drift or solid rock. The sinking of wells is a 
means of exploring the earth to a moderate depth, and some interesting 
facts are often obtained by inquiry into the character of the material 
penetrated. For example, in some places in the county no wells have 
ever penetrated beyond the Drift, or, at least, reached bedded rock ; while 
on each side, sometimes at no great distance, other wells have to be sunk 
in the rock. Generally, perhaps always, it will be found that a line can 
be marked out by such excavations, within which no rock is ever reached 
by the deepest wells, while the excavations on each side show bedded 
rock near the surface. Here, then, we have traced for us the channel of 
some ancient water-course which has been filled in with Drift at some 
time in the past. There were rivers, and a river system, cut far deeper 
in the rocks of a former age than any we now have in this region. The 
whole surface was sunk down under deep water and gravel; sand and 
clay covered up all inequalities of surface. When the surface emerged 
again, the drainage began to excavate channels, the general character of 
the surface remaining the same; the streams would take courses in 
general the same as before, but from local causes would be deflected in 
places. The old, filled-up channels are now traced by means of excava- 
tions. I will mention that at Mr. Murray’s, on the Troy and Covington 
turnpike, no bedded rock is found in sinking wells, while to the east, 
within a half mile, and to the west, stone in stiu is encountered in well- 
digging. 
The influence of the character of the surface on the soil can be noticed 
in various parts of the county. This may be illustrated by comparing 
the soil and surface on the east of the Miami River with that on the west. 
Bast of the Miami the surface is rolling, and gravelly ridges abound. 
