Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

[U. S. Gaz.]

Surprising Extrication of Inflammable Air.

Near one of the sources of Licking River, in Kentucky, there is a seperation of phlogisticated gas from something in the interior strata of the earth, in greater quantity than is perhaps known in any part of the world. This light and inflammable fluid is discharged through water into the atmosphere. It bubbles incessantly through the Centre of a muddy pool, of about two rods in diameter. The gas readily takes flame on burning gun powder in it, or by the approach of any blazing body. The volume of it is so great, that a man who approached near enough to snap a pistol in it which he held in his hand, was suddenly enveloped in the flame, and sorely singed before he could escape. When set on fire, it burns with remarkable splendour and vehemence, not only for hours, but days and weeks in succession, mounting to the height of ten or twelve feet or more. The relator of this, (Mr. Senator Breckenridge) was one of a party that encamped near this aereal fountain, on an excursion through the woods. They discovered, that after the "inflammable air had been on fire for six or eight hours, the water of the pond was heated to an uncomfortable degree, and emitted copious exhalations: and the ebullition at the spot through which the air ascended was more vehement.

It was judged, that if the flame had been sufficiently continued, the water would have been made to boil, and all have been evaporated. Then the surrounding space would have been heated. And lastly, there was reason to suppose that the feculent and carbonick matter in the bottom of the pond would have been put into a state of combustion. From the crater at the place through which the gas rose, and the evacuation of the surrounding ground, it appeared as if this had really happened on some former occasion; and for fear the like might occur again the gentlemen of the party extinguished the flame, by slapping, agitating and dissipating it with green boughs, before the water arose to a temperature too hot to enable them to approach near enough for this purpose by wading into it. When once in a blaze, there seems to be no end to its burning, but the stop which a storm of wind and rain may put to it.