The Empire County argus., 1854-04-15

that have always known him as a gentleman of
the strictcst integrity, and man who is not sui-
GENTLY influenced by pecuniary considerations for
his own good. Very respectfully,
s. GARFIELDE.
TIE GREAT SALT LAKE. The Utica Herald
CLEANS the following facts from Stansburys report,
recently published:
Experiments upon the properties of the water of
the Lake Tor preserving meat were made by Mr.
Stansbury and his associates large piece of
fresh beef was suspended from cord and immersed
in the Lake for over twelve hours when it was
found to be tocrably well cured. After this, Mr.
S states that all the meat they wished to preserve
packed into barrels without any salt whatever,
and the vessels were then flied with the Lake wa
ter. No further care or preparation was necessary
and the meat remained perfectly sweet although
constantly exposed to the atmosphere and sun
They were obliged to mix fresh water with the
lime to prevent the meat becoming too salt for
present use.
An analysis of the water of the Lake shows that
it contains more than 20 per cent Of the pure chic
ride Of sodium. and not more than per cent. of
other salts forming one of the purest and most con-
centratcd brincs in the world. Its specific gravity
is about LII, but this slightly varies with the
sons, being probably affected by the immense floods
Of fresh water which come rushing down into it
from the mountains in the spring, caused by the
melting of the in the gorges.
The western shore of the Lake for considerable
distance, is lined with substance somewhat resem-
! bling in appearance the brown, dried seaweed of
the ocean. Under the magnifying glass, however,
it was found to consist of the larve, or dried skins
| of deptcrous insect. They comprised a stratum
some six inches in thickness, and had evidently
been driven upon the shore at different periods :
some appearing fresher and of different texture
] H. -. =
size Where these larvae originated may furnish
theme for curious speculation. Nothing living has
ever yet been detected in the Lake, and only few
large insects in the brackish springs, which do not
at all resemble these remains either in shape or
sin. That they have existed in almost incredible
numbers is evident, rs the shores lined with
their skins, and the bottom in many instances for
long distance from the shore, is covered with
them In some places they lie on the bottom the
Lake a foot thick, mixed up with the oozy mud.
On the flats near the west shore of the Lake Mr.
Stansbury and his party discovered large field Of
sold salt, which was beautifully crystalized upon
the sand about half an inch thick. The crystals
were from one to two inches in diameter, and gilt
tered in the bright sunshine like bed Of diamonds
The evaporation of the shoal water between the
island and the main shore hasalcft this beautiful
deposit of salt
There are some largo islands in the Lake, the
principal ones being Gunnison Antelope and STAINS
bury islands The latter is twenty miles long and
fifty-sevcn in circumference 1t is high rocky
ridge, and attains maximum elevation OF nearly
three thousand feet.
The buoyant properties Of the waters OF the Lake
are very remarkable Mr.. s says that man may
float stretched at full length upon his back. having
his head neck, both his legs to the knee, and both
arms to the elbow out of the water. If a sitting
position be assumed with the arms extended to
preserve the equilibrium, the shoulders will remain
above the surface The brine is so strong that the
least particle getting into the eyes causes the most
acute pain Upon one occasion one of the party
fell overheard, and although good swimmer the
sudden immersion caused him to swallow some
mouthsful of water before rising to the surface
The effect was most violent paroxysm of strang-
ling and vomiting, and the man was unit for duty
for some time afterwards.
1t is almost impossible to find water fit for the or
dinary purposes of life along the western shore OF
the Lake and yet such is the dclightfuness of the
climate. that one may sleep in the open air with
perfect impunity.
On or near the eastern shores of the lake are
number of hot and cold sprngs They issue at the
foot of q flanking tower of hills and have executed
for themselves a circular hole fifteen feet deep with
soping sides, and deep channel leading into the
! Meadow There are currents lsSung between dit
ferent strata of congomcratc and limestone, within
few feet of each other, OF which one is hot sui
pher n second warm and salt, and the third cool
drinkable water. At numerous places fine salt is
brought up and jets of gas emitted: the salt forms
an incrustation around the hole and is fine enough
for able use Three miles from the Salt Lake City
is hot spring. From the hot spring to the city
arc numerous warm fountains, that deposit gypsum,
and other sulphatcs. These waters give delightiui
baths and destroy the fertility of the soil
Tie soil on the banks of the several rivers on the
eastern shore fthe Lake is very productive Lieut.
Gunnison states that continuous field can be
made from the Tempcnagos bottoms to the Wake
te-kc Creek, and the Utah Valley made to sustain
a population of more than hundred thousand IN
habitauls At different points along the rivers are
magnificent water powers
The shore-line of the Lake, exclusive Of Offsets,
extends 29l miles
We have seen no statements as to the depths oil
the Great Salt Lake. ..I