INTRODUCTION.

The design of this work is not to give a history of the village of Saratoga.  That, as well as a more elaborate description of the geology of the county, may be found in a very interesting book, published several years since, by R.L.  Allen, M.D., entitled the “Hand Book of Saratoga and Stranger’s Guide.”  We acknowledge our indebtedness to the work for several items in regard to the history of the Springs.

Our thanks are due also to Prof.  C.H.  Chandler, Ph.D., of the Columbia School of Mines, for the Analyses of the Springs, and for electroplates and valuable suggestions from the American Chemist, of which he is the distinguished editor.

We would acknowledge here also, the assistance and uniform courtesy which we have received from the Superintendents and officers of the various Springs.  The failure of an engraving company to fulfill their agreement has delayed the issue of the work and prevented the insertion of several other engravings.

R.F.D.

Saratoga. June, 1872

PART I.

  The Analysis, History and Properties
  of the
  mineral springs.

* * * * *

The
Mineral Springs of Saratoga.

The region of Mineral Springs in Eastern New York consists of a long, shallow and crescent-shaped valley, extending northeast from Ballston, its western horn, to Quaker Springs, its eastern extremity.  The entire valley abounds in mineral fountains of more or less merit, and in the central portion bubble up the Waters of Healing, which have given to Saratoga its world-wide celebrity.

Professor Chandler, of the Columbia School of Mines, thus describes the

Geology of the County.

     “Beginning with the uppermost, the rocks of Saratoga county
     are: 

     1.  The Hudson river and Utica shales and slates.

     2.  The Trenton limestone.

     3.  The calciferous sand rock, which is a silicious limestone.

     4.  The Potsdam sand stone; and

     5.  The Laurentian formation of gneiss and granite, of unknown
     thickness.

“The northern half of the county is occupied by the elevated ranges of Laurentian rocks; flanking these occur the Potsdam, Calciferous and Trenton beds, which appear in succession in parallel bands through the central part of the county.  These are covered in the southern half of the county by the Utica and Hudson river slates and shales.

     [Illustration:  Geological section at Saratoga springs.]