still remain in the dark concerning it. However the Indians say that when they go back to the place after an absence of no great length of time, they cannot discover the place from whence they had taken the salt, being entirely filled up with fresh salt;– which may be accounted for by supposing that the pressure acting so forcibly on the subterranean fluids, maintains always a just equilibrium, which, being eased of its weight in course of time, regains its former state. This salt fluid does not run on the surface, but is observable flowing in small veins at a little depth, which meeting with some obstruction in the descent, bubbles up, and coming in contact with the air receives heat and chrystalizes – this is the conclusion which we deduce from Indian report.

At the Elk river are to be seen innumerable streams of limpid Bitumen issuing out from its lofty Banks: Strata of coal are also to be seen of a considerable depth or thickness:– and by the appearance of the soil, the mineral taste of the

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