14 Kansas Academy of Science. 



sian well in any sense, as the motive power is without doubt the elasticity of the gas that 

 is being constantly generated, or ( not to exclude a possible, though I think not a probable 

 explanation) that has been generated and stored up in past times. 



This question of the time of the gas generation, whether past or present, cannot, it is 

 true, be answered with entire confidence, but in view of the long time the flow has con- 

 tinued with undiminished force, I think it more probable that through the agency of 

 internal heat — or perhaps by slow oxidation — vegetable organic matters (common 

 bituminous coals, perhaps) are being to-day decomposed into this light gas and other less 

 volatile compounds. But at what depth in the earth, or how many hundreds of miles 

 away from the lola well this process is going on, I will not venture even an opinion. 



Another point still more theoretical: it seems very probable to me that the cavity 

 found inider lola, from which water and gas are ejected, is of great lateral extent; that 

 it was once occupied by a coal-bed, and that this coal has, as explained above, furnished 

 the gas. The decomposing agency, heat, must then (according to this theory) have 

 acted with considerable energy at a depth of 626 feet below the present surface of the 

 country at Tola. But there is no evidence of extraordinary heat at this locality now ; 

 hence, to make the theory consistent with itself, we must assume that the heated area has 

 not been permanent in position but has moved about — an assumption which I think 

 geological science will allow. 



To return now from the theoretical unknown to the actual known. The intervals of 

 quiet between the pulsations are of course while water is accumulating in the well, and 

 before the gas has acquired sufficient tension to hurl it out. These intervals I found to 

 be of from 30 to 40 seconds duration; but the proprietor of the well, Mr. Acers, informed 

 me that the duration of the interval is not at all constant, but that at night and before a 

 storm it is shorter, and that the energy of the pulsation is then considerably increased.* 



From its quality the gas is better fitted for heating than illuminating purposes, the 

 flame yielded by it being decidedly thin, from its poverty in carbon. But if properly 

 carbonized by passing through gasoline, it would undoubtedly become a very superior 

 illuminating gas. As yet it has not been utilized to any extent. 



I have been unable as yet, from lack of time, to examine into the composition of the 

 gas, but hope to do so before long. 



Now to turn to the water. It has had attributed to it, upon grounds which I need not 

 here mention, rather marvelous medicinal properties ; and now, whatever its virtues may 

 be, it is sold and drunk in large quantities. 



The question of its value as a curative agent I do not propose to discuss — that is left 

 with the doctors and the people — but only to give a report of its mineral constituents, 

 and let others decide whether they are medicinal or not. The total solid residue upon 

 evaporation is 16.504 grammes per litre of the water. The ingredients and proportions 

 are as follows. The carbonates of the residue are present in the water as bicarbonates : f 



Grammes in 

 7 litre of water. 



Sodium Chloride, Na CI. ( Plus K CI. small amount) 15.010 



Calcium Chloride, Ca CI2 -543 



Magnesium Chloride, Mg CI2 • • • • '624 



Ferrous Carbonate, Fe CO3 -023 



Calcium Carbonate, Ca CO3 -272 



Sodium Sulphate, Na2 SO4 -019 



Sodium Bromide, Na Br . . _ -004 



Silica, Si O2 (possibly combined with Na) ...... -009 



Tota l solids 16.504 



*It is suggested that this phenomenon is caused by the variation in atmospheric pressure. Other 

 similar instances have been reported. 



tBecausethe metric system of weights and measures is used in preference to all others in science, 

 and more especially because it should be used in this country as well as in all others for commercial 

 purposes, I use it here. These figures are of course easily convertible into terms of grains to the gallon, 

 remembering that 1 gramme = 15.4323 grains ; and that 1 litre = 1.05672 quarts, U. S. 



