BY FRITZ NOEXLIN(i, M.A., PH.D. 127' 



not be sulphuretted hydrogen (7). The gas was, appar- 

 ently, not combustible, as a lighted match applied to the 

 bulbbles had no effect, but when I put it into 

 the bottom of the pipe of a cone which had been opened 

 by a cut, just over the point where the bvibbles rose, it 

 went out immediately. This proves, in my opinion, that 

 the gas must be carbonic acid, which, being heavier than 

 air, collected at the bottom of the narrow pipe, and slowlv 

 flowed out along the trench. The water is quite cold; un- 

 fortunately, I had no thermometer to measure its tempera- 

 ture, but even in January it was cool. This proves that it 

 cannot rise from a great depth. To all appearances the 

 water is of good quality ; it has no taste whatsoever, and 

 is of crystal clearness. However, when exposed to the air- 

 for some time, scuds of brownish colour commence to fonn. 

 These indicate a considerable percentage of iron, which 

 becomes oxydised when the water is exposed to the air. 

 The presence of some iron salt is proved by another obser- 

 vation. A piece of peat which was taken from the ditch 

 where the bones were found became, after being dry, com- 

 23letely covered with whitish crystals. These crystals proved, 

 bv their sweetish, astringent taste to be sulphate of iron. 



Considering the large Cjuantity of the efflorescence, 

 sulphate of iron must be present in considerable quantities, 

 and this accounts for the ferruginous scvids forming when 

 the water is exposed to the oxydising influence of the air. 



The water must also contain a considerable amount 

 of carbonate of lime, as pi'oved by the deposit of tuffa. 



Whether water that, though, apparently, perfectly 

 tasteless and quite clear, contains so large a percentage of 

 iron and lime is ai good drinking water, and not injurious 

 to health, remains to be seen. 



The peat is composed of rotten vegetabilic matter, in 

 which trunks of large trees are irregularly embedded. It 

 appears that most of the vegetabilic matter is too decom- 

 posed to allow for a determination, yet trunks of fern trees 

 could be distinctl^'^ recognised. A great deal of inorganic 

 substance, probablv sand and clay, is mixed with the 

 organic matter, and when dug it represents a black sub- 

 stance, of, rather, heaw weight, which might be used as 

 fuel. 



(7) Mr. Moore has, liowever. informed me that there are certain 

 spring.* wlilch emit such a smell. 



