CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS. 43 
In this list is to be found every grade of waters, perhaps as large an assort- 
ment as those of any state. Contrary to the generally accepted opinion, we have 
waters of exceptional purity as well as waters that are loaded with sulfates and 
chlorids almost to saturation. There are not many of the class that contain rare 
ingredients; or if these are present they are so only in extremely minute quanti- 
ties. There are many, however, of that other class, namely, those that contain an 
excess of ordinary ingredients. 
Most of the waters that have been examined are in the eastern half of the 
state, but there are some waters of special interest, like the Great Spirit spring, 
which are quite‘a distance west. 
The mineral springs properties have been allowed to run down during the re- 
cent period of financial depression, and in many places the waters are practically 
out of use. But the waters are there ; and, with greater financial prosperity in 
the state, there is no doubt that many of them will be bought up by capitalists 
and improved much beyond their former condition. As mineral springs resorts 
belong to the class known as ‘‘luxuries,’’ they are very quick to respond to lack 
of ready money in the community, especially where they are so far away from the 
great centers of trade that they cannot draw patronage from the larger cities. 
They must first have local support, and this they will soon obtain with the in- 
crease of money ina community. Baths may bea necessity, but bread is of more 
importance, and will always be sought first by the people when financially op- 
pressed. 
There are indications in several parts of the state that mineral springs will 
soon again be of greater commercial and medicinal importance. Several new 
localities have been discovered and considerable money has been expended in im- 
provements. 
The analyses above referred to have come from several sources. In addition 
to the large number that have been carried on in the laboratory of the state uni- 
versity, many have been furnished by the kind codperation of Professors Failyer 
and Willard of the agricultural college; Professor Knerr of Atchison; Profes- 
sor Lovewell of Washburn; Professor Bushong of Emporia College, and others. 
A large number of photographs of mineral springs properties has been taken, 
and a quantity of material collected for publication, which shows that the state 
has resources in this direction, only partially developed, it is true, but which will 
add very materially to her commercial wealth and importance. 
SILICO-BARITE NODULES FROM NEAR SALINA, KAN. 
BY E. B. KNERR, ATCHISON. 
Read before the Academy December 29, 1898. 
I desire to call the Academy’s attention to, and present samples for inspection 
of, some peculiar nodular concretions which were found in the bed of a small 
stream about six miles east of Salina, Kan. -I am informed that these nodules 
are not at all uncommon in that neighborhood, and possibly the attention of 
other members of the Academy has been called to them before. I find that the 
explanations which are locally given accounting for these formations are of inter- 
est. One theory is that they are balls of rawhide petrified. The explanation is 
that at one time there was located in this valley an Indian storehouse of goods, 
and a large portion of the stock on hand consisted of balls of rawhide. A tor- 
nado came along and destroyed the lodge containing the goods, burying its con- 
