ANALYSES OF MINERALS. 27 



Shithsojuan IssnTrriON, Wiuhingion, June 2, 1856. 



Sib : I have the honor to report he'rewitli the results of my analysis of the mineral water brought by the Boundary Com- 

 mission from Mier, and of a sedimentary deposit said to be taken from a spring in the same vicinity. 



The water was contained in two bottles, obtained at different times, one by yourself, the other by Mr. A. Schott. The 

 whole quantity not exceeding one quart, it was impossible to do more than determine the quantity of the more abundant 

 ingredients and the presence of some others. A thorough and minute analysis of a mineral water cannot well be made 

 with less than two to five gallons of water, some of the ingi-edionts being present in exceedingly minute quantities, and 

 yet, doubtless, exerting an important influence on its medicinal properties. The analysis was conducted essentially after 

 Fresenius' method. 



This water belongs to the class of neutral salines, the most abundant salt being chloride of sodium. Its specific gravity 

 is 1.003. 



A qualitative analysis proved the presence of the following substances : Silica, iron, alumina, lime, magnesia, soda- 

 sulphuric acid, chlorine, phosphoric acid, iodine, and carbonic acid. 



It is called a sulphur water, but I could not detect the presence of any trace of sulphuretted hydrogen. It has no reac 

 tiou on test paper, and its taste is decidedly saline. 



The result of the quantitative analysis is as follows : 



The whole amount of solid matter is 0. 6763 per cent., consisting of — 



SUica - 0. 016586 per cent. 



Protoxide iron 0.000754 per cent. 



Alumina-- traces. 



Lime 0. 009389 per cent. 



Magnesia 0.009580 percent. 



Sodium 0. 243323 per cent. 



Chlorine 0.340470 per cent. 



Sulphuric acid 010180 per cent. 



Phosphor, acid traces. 



Iodine. traces. 



0. 630282 



Combined in the following manner : 



SUica 0.016586 



Sulphateof Ume 0.017306 



Carbonate lime 0.004041 



Carb magnesia 0.020120 



Carb. protoxide of iron 0.001214 



Chloride of sodium --- 0.628560 



0. 687827 



The yellow powder (marked No. 25) is a deposit from a chalybeate spring. It was supposed from its color to contain a 

 large quantity of sulphur, but this color is due to hydrated oxide of iron. When ignited, the mass assumed a bright red hue. 

 No sulphur is present in it, but it contains considerable quantities of sulphates and chlorides of lime, magnesia, and soda. 

 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, yours, 



JOHN D. EASTER. 



