M. Stiffl on the Origin ()/' Mineral Springs, 297 



from the earth'*s interior ; for the very reason that their pheno- 

 mena are not periodical, like those of volcanoes, it will always 

 be difficult to note a diminution which is incessantly going on. 

 For this purpose, a series of continued and exact observations 

 would be requisite, such as has never been yet instituted ; but, 

 to render them available for the solution of the problem, they 

 would require to be prosecuted for centuries, which cannot be 

 the work of a single observer. The proprietors of mineral wa- 

 ters may, therefore, console themselves with not being disturbed 

 in the quiet possession of their monopolies, since they have less 

 to fear from this consideration than from the changes and revo- 

 lutions in the systems and fashions of medicine, which are at 

 present so much in their favour. 



It is farther probable that hot springs will last longer than 

 cold ; and those which lie low than those at considerable eleva- 

 tions. 



M. Stiff't has concentrated into the following propositions the 

 results of his observations on the mineral waters of Nassau, in 

 connection with the geological constitution of the country : 



1 Mineral springs are generally independent of the geognos- 

 tic structure of their immediate vicinities. 



9. A mineral water, whatever may be its constitution, seldom 

 appears isolated, but is in almost every case grouped along with 

 others into linear series of greater or less regularity. 



3. The strata in the vicinity of mineral springs often exhibit 

 marked undulations, amounting, in some cases, to a total rup- 

 ture of their continuity. 



4. The rocky strata in the vicinity of many mineral waters 

 are often in a stale of dissolution, converted into a soft argilla- 

 ceous mass, or into an accumulation of sandy particles — a state 

 very much resembling xheJuuUs of miners. 



5. In their natural state, mineral springs generally emerge 

 from a marshy soil. 



6. Thermal waters are generally more abundant, and are more 

 largely impregnated with solid matters than cold springs, but 

 contain a smaller quantity of gaseous matters in a state of com- 

 bination with the water. 



7. Generally mineral springs follow the course of mountains 

 composed of igneous rocks. 



