88 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
While a good knowledge of the composition of the normal waters of any region 
is of the greatest value in the interpretation of an analysis, it is claimed ‘“‘ there is 
no good basis for the establishment of fixed limits for all the various items of 
analysis below which a water is to be pronounced good and above which it is to be 
condemned.’’? The value of an analysis, or the opinion of the analyst, about a 
certain water which has been examined by him, does not depend upon the full- 
ness of his work alone, but also upon the amount of his knowledge concerning 
the conditions that surround the water. It is not, however, an easy matter to 
obtain a good knowledge of its surroundings, and on this account the value of 
the opinion of the analyst is not of so much value. It is better to take the advice 
of the analyst according to his experience and reputation, rather than to try and 
obtain an unbiased opinion by withdrawing facts necessary for a satisfactory 
judgment. 
ATCHISON AND NEMAHA COUNTY MINERAL WATERS. 
By E. B. Knerr, Atchison, Kan. Read before the Academy January 2, 1897. 
The drift in Atchison county is quite uniform in structure, being a heavy com- 
pact clay for the most part, with but little gravel and sand intermixed. Water 
will pass through it very slowly; hence, the wells dug into it are deep, as a rule, 
usually from 40 to 60 feet in depth; and the water generally stands quite low, 
though about three feet of water may generally be counted upon in the dryest. 
months. Such wells at those seasons may be easily be pumped dry, but in the 
course of several hours the water will collect to the depth of a foot or two again. 
Analysis of this drift water presents nothing of unusual interest. 
There are numerous springs in Atchison county. Where these issue from the 
limestone they are of interest only as furnishing good, cool drinking-water. 
Several such springs occur within the city limits of Atchison, and have always 
supplied the neighborhoods in their immediate vicinity with water. One of these 
springs had for years enjoyed a reputation for medicinal virtues. I was sufficiently 
interested to make an analysis of its waters, with the following results, which, 
however, do not reveal, so far as I could discover, any unusual therapeutic quali- 
ties (parts per 1,000,000 ): 
INO Per riists oc As. 3 Stan eae ae eee Trace 
POR es... << Ae eee eam es 79.0 
PSUs, sce3 yo) ht rete (esrett ie, 3!) 30.0 
SS OM ee Se 5.5, 0c en ee os ho 97.0 
COR ess .'- os 12 Bie Beene seo ieO 
OS ion bse ee ee ee 58.0 
IB ASICHO NG OE Mee tar 5 a yi.dcccmit Pe oe eee 133.0 
1 Te aie GR okra boo ihe eee keh 5a) (och) 
Taig tay 2 coal Oa TE EPIRA ETS it Sere ieee Trace 
(Cl Sepals, cc Cat Seren he SERINE Rats Ady yee 156.0 
Deg kai en Sus ttl tans ck ot oe A 25.0 
Te Sood GEER CIN OE Cae eA A eel Ce oem? | 6.0 
ING forani ees Ae aM Sec: hte, tie eae 111.0 
INET ae see eye aaa eer tenet Uy se eae .. Trace 
1 Fe o.0 La hets See eC: eet at ae Rae TORE 4.0 
