96 Dr Turner's analysis of' the solid contents 



Mr Swinton,) and was sent in glass phials from India to this 

 country by Mr P. Breton, who procured it by evaporating the 

 water to dryness. The springs from which it was obtained are 

 situated near Finnarkoon and Loorgootha. The mineral wa- 

 ter of Pinnarkoon, as it issues from the spring, has a tempera- 

 ture of 116° F., and one gallon of it contains twenty-two grains 

 of solid matter ; while that of Loorgootha raises the thermo- 

 meter to 160°, and sometimes to 186°, F. and the saline con- 

 tents of one gallon amount to twenty-five grains. Both springs 

 are colourless and transparent, and their odour and taste slight- 

 ly sulphurous. Their density varies little from that of common 

 spring water, as may be expected from the small quantity of 

 solid matter which they contain. Mr Breton, who noticed these 

 characters, has also described the effects produced by chemical 

 tests; but as his observations are not very conclusive as to the 

 nature of the springs, it will be unnecessary to occupy the time 

 of the Society by detailing them. 



The solid contents of the spring near Pinnarkoon has a 

 yellowish colour, an alkaline odour, taste, and reaction, and 

 effervesces with acids. The gas which escapes during ef- 

 fervescence is carbonic acid, without any admixture of sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen ; for the colour of white paper moistened 

 with a solution of acetate of lead was not affected by it. On 

 neutralizing the alkali with sulphuric acid, and allowing the 

 hot concentrated solution to cool, prismatic crystals possessed 

 of all the properties of sulphate of soda were procured, and 

 among which muriate of platinum did ndt detect the presence 

 of potash. 



The solid matter when heated gives out a considerable 

 quantity of water. It also becomes black, and emits an odour 

 like that arising from the igneous decomposition of mixed ani- 

 mal and vegetable substances, the presence of ammonia being 

 made obvious by turmeric paper. Carbonic acid is expelled at 

 the same time ; since after exposure to heat very slight effer- 

 vescence was occasioned by the addition of an acid. The mass 

 is fusible at a red heat, and when held in the flame of the 

 blowpipe, communicates to it the rich yellow tint characteris- 

 tic of soda. 



The saline matter is in part soluble in water. The aqueous 



