393 



but the forms are indistinct. These crystals readily scratch calc 

 spar, and dissolve without residue in water, affording a solution, 

 which, by evaporation at 150'^ F., leaves the salt with some of 

 the original physical characters. It readily parts with a portion 

 of water by heat, and when the temperature is raised to redness, 

 it fuses quietly into a transparent, colorless, anhydrous fluid ; on 

 cooling, an opaque, white, crystalline solid remains. In this 

 climate the specimen attracts moisture, and therefore has not a 

 fixed amount of water constituent. 



It consists of water, sulphuric acid, soda, magnesia, chlorine. 

 Mixed with it are traces of crenate of iron and lime, with sandy 

 grains of earth. 



One sample afforded — 



Water 16.420 



Sulphuric acid 

 Soda . 

 Magnesia 

 Chlorine 



Three fragments from different masse? 

 following substances found : — 



49.658 



23.758 



9.904 



.260 



100.000 

 were taken, and the 



Water ... 

 Sulphate of Soda 



" Magnesia 



Chloride Sodium 

 Crenates Lime and Iron 



with Silicic Acid 

 Sand 



16.42 



48.00 



34.20 



1.21 



I 0.17 



100.00 



18.84 



45.82 



33.19 



1.79 



0.30 

 0.06 



100.00 



19.60 



45.74 



' 33.31 



1.16 



0.13 

 0.06 



100.00 



The varying amounts of water given, are illustrative of the 

 absorptive power of the salts in the atmosphere of this place. 

 Dried at 90^ F., the amount of water was 15.20 in 100 parts, 

 which exceeds by four parts, the proportion necessary to form 

 proto-hydrates of the two salts present. 



Analysis does not show the two sulphates to be in definite 



