Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-07-13
A ROCK THAT GROWS.
rsruaxkabls PetrifAction In = Penn
sylvanis EAvLne.
prsk,lag water mas Carries . blFas4
II Llaas-etsas IN s0latloa Stsh IL -2a
Lazsss "a ws4asrs ~ stsi-s-
na1Ess aa1 .E1l4eels<&

In a deep. DARK FaFine few niles
froal EaE Castle. Pa, ID North Beaver
townsniD, Lz1reDcs CoQntys = Won
derfal natural phenomenon IA the sn-Ps
OF serit45ls growing rock kliEy years.
ago, wen it 80 EFst notiseas "a IN
segted Ncodsa pail would almost cover
A. TO-DAY is IS = gfeas boz der, Ten
feet la heizhs and nfteen feet or more
IA eircgan ference. and selghtng not less
than Atty tons. During tie sumner
m0nths it - covered With dense FieA
n0ss t3o or three inches deep, through
which 1ne waters from little spring
triekls continually.
The outer formation OF this rock has
a limestone appearance, but once re-
move the mess AID ehiSel in the gritty
surface and tho real beauty AMI Do
euliarity Of the rock are seen- eellu-
lar formation like a mammoth sponge
IS discovered. aad about the cells IS
Egone as hard IS adam1nt. On cutting
fartaer ia, this cell-like substance -
found 70 continue. but it seems 10 have
been transformed into a translueens
flint. There are tons Of this fiinty rock,
Tor It is as heavy as granite, and every
ounce % i. Is undoubtedly moss and
other vegetable matter petrihsd-
This remarkable petrihcation has
been wrought ~ the action OF the water
from the spring upon tns moss The
water seems o. have the singular prop
ertY Of turalng into stone every thing
thai is brought IN contact with II for
any length u time. IL has an acrld
taste, and IS undoubtedly heavily
charged with mineral substances, al
though .bus iar 10 has never been an
slyzot.
The most remarkable fact about it Is
that u acconplishes 80 much IN SO short
g time. Tho uoss grows luxgriantly in
TIE dark hollow. and the lapidescent
quality q the water has operated year
after year upon the layers Of moss, turn
ing them into kOneycomb of stone,
and adding 70 what Was frst a small
rock. until to-day there Is this great
bowlder % petriled vegetation.
A short time after tho moss begins 70
grow in tho spring, 1t commences 10
soliaify AZ the roots, and the petriEca-
tion follows closely on the track OF the
growing moss, like the formation Of
coral on the work OF the coral insects.
IS IL progresses, tho dark green
OF the vegetation becomes yellow
fsh. then changes 20 brown and
darkens as the rock grows old
er The moss Is not all that
is perpetuated in stone by the action Of
tho water. Plants, leaves, twigs, every
vegetable substance that has fallen on
tae rock and lain there have been in
pre-nated with and, "a by the touch OF
an inexorable fate, been turned into
stone By IT, Stratum upon stratum OF
the moss stone has grown over them,
and many such objects are now to DO
found Theoretically sealed deep in the
heart OF ths rock.
To the ninerslogist the rock Is a mine
of treasure and delight. No one ever
chisels into that fiutY bowlder without
eoning upon leaves and twigs petrifed
anoag the moss and securing many fine
specimens to rejoice his heart and mako
enviOus less fortunate mortals. Those
who have visited IL thus far say there is
not another such curiosity known in the
world. Tho people in the neighbor-
hood have long known OF the remark
able qualities OF this spring. Mr.. Will
lam Allsworth first discovered it nearly
fifty years ago. Then the rock was ten
feet or more below the spring. Now it
has climbed up the side Of the bank IN
I'll is is partially above the level of the
spring, and has turned the water Of the
little brook that comes down through
the ravine somewhat out of its course.
Mr.. Ellsworth and some OF his neigh
bors intend to tvy tao experiment OF
fastening a frog or some cher creature
IN such way that the water will have
a chance 20 act upon it, and see whether
is viii fill Up animal tissue with its min
eral burden as " has done the vegetable
ores that have come in continued con
tact with L. They firmly believe ii
viii. and there seems little reason to
doubt IL