160 Dr Turner on Iodine iw the Mineral Spring ofBcmnington. 



of concentrated sulphuric acid ; the characteristic blue colour 

 will then make its appearance. I prefer the use of sulphu- 

 ric to nitric acid or chlorine for decomposing the hydrio- 

 dic acid ; for it effects that object with certainty, and does not 

 decompose the iodide of starch, or prevent its formation, as the 

 two last are apt to do. 



The greater part of the iron in the Bonnington water is un- 

 der the form of the carbonate of iron, which is held in solution 

 by free carbonic acid. It also contains the muriatic and sul- 

 phuric acids, in combination with lime, magnesia, and soda, the 

 last of which is the predominating base. Potash is also present, 

 and forms the hydriodate of potash with the hydriodic acid. Its 

 quantity, however, is more than sufficient for saturating that 

 acid ; for the residual salts still contain it, after the hydriodate 

 of potash has been removed by alcohol. 



I have examined portions of water from the springs of Har- 

 rowgate, Moffat, and Pitcaithly, but could discover in them no 

 trace of iodine. I remain, dear Sir, yours most faithfuUy, 



Edward Turner. 



Addition hy the Editor. 



Since the discovery of Iodine in some marine plants by Cur- 

 tois, it has been found by Kriiger and Fuchs in small quantity 

 in the salt-springs of Sulzer and Halle ; more lately in minute 

 quantity in the salt-springs of Rosenheim by Vogel of Munich, 

 and by Professor Liebig in the salt-springs of Darmstadt. An- 

 gelini and Cantu have detected this curious substance in some 

 mineral waters in Italy ; and Vogel, as far as we know, was the 

 first who ascertained its presence in the mineral waters of Ger- 

 many. Being informed that the mineral waters of Heilbrunn, 

 in the circle of Isar, in Bavaria, were used by the inhabitants as 

 a specific against diseases in the glandular system, especially the 

 goitre, Vogel was led to suspect the presence of iodine, which he 

 soon detected by means of the usual re-agents. The iodine was 

 in the state of hydriodate of soda. 



We take this opportunity of recommending the analysis of the 

 mineral waters of this country to the attention of naturalists ; 

 and we do this in the conviction, that a knowledge of the con- 



