18 



SIXTH REPORT — 1836. 



The water however in which I discovered the largest quantity 

 of bromine in proportion to its saline contents was that of 

 Ashby de la Zouch, which contained only 179 grains of solid 

 matter in the pint, and yet yielded more than half a grain of 

 this principle. 



This latter result has been confirmed by Dr. Ure in a memoir 

 on these springs published in the Philosophical Transactions 

 for 1833. 



With respect to the salt springs of Germany, the following 

 proportions of bromine and of otiier ingredients are contained 

 in a pint of the water of each according to Osann. 



Brine spring of Ragozi at Kissingen 

 Pandur ditto 



Hall 



Luhatschowitz 



ftfuriate Muriate 

 of Mag- 



62-050 

 57-000 



10-514 

 ] 8-370 



3-356 



6-850 

 5-850 



Hydro- 

 bromate 

 of Mag- 

 nesia. 



Hydro- 

 bromate 

 of Soda. 



0-7000 

 O-68OO; 



0-4140 

 I 0-0410 



The entire absence both of iodine and bromine from a few of 

 the very strongest brine springs we possess, those for example 

 of Droitwich in Worcestershire, as was originally stated by 

 mj^self, and as has been since confirmed by Dr. Hastings in 

 his Memoir on that subject*, may be explained by considering, 

 that in these same waters likewise all the more soluble salts 

 present in the sea are of sparing occurrence. 



Hence the masses of salt, to which these springs OM^e their 

 impregnation, may have been the first deposits from the satu- 

 rated brine, and therefore contain chiefly muriate of soda. 



Agreeably with this explanation we find, that the lowest sali- 

 ferous strata in Cheshire consist of perfectly transparent rock 

 salt, without a trace either _of iodine or of bromine, whilst the 

 more deliquescent muriates, together with combinations of these 

 latter principles, are found plentifully in the clays and marls 

 above. 



It may at first sight appear doubtful, whether (he saline ape- 

 rients existing in the lias ought to be classed amongst brine 

 springs, considering the larger proportion of alkaline sulphates 

 and of muriate of lime belonging to them. 



In a medical point of view clearly they ought not to be so re- 

 garded; for their most active, though not always their predomi- 

 nant ingredients, are those very sulphates, which do not exist, 

 except in minute quantity, in brine springs properly so called. 



• On the Salt Springs of Worcestershire. Worcester, 1835. 



A 



