b 



I 213 ] ' 



which is of a fomewhat higher temperature than the neighbouring 

 fprings, and from the bottom of which are continually rifing large 

 bubbles of pure azotic gas. 



In an analyfis, which I fometifne fince attempted, of the Lucan 

 water, I found that azotic as well as hydrogen gas efcaped from it 

 at a boiling heat ; a circumftance which could hardly have been 

 occafioned by the decompofition of atmofpheric air held in folu- 

 tion in the water, as no fulphuric or fulphureous acid was pro- 

 duced, as was to be expeded from the fimultaneous decompofition 

 of fulphurated hydrogen gas and atmofpheric ^ir. 



It may alfo be worth obferving by perfons who are defirous of 

 profecuting this enquiry farther, that in moft of the lime-ftone in 

 that neighbourhood, which contains fhells, is to be found ful- 

 phurated hydrogen. 



And, likewife, that after evaporating the Lucan water to dry- 

 nefs, a fmall quantity of a fetid bituminous matter, foluble in 

 alcohol, remains mixed with the earths and falts. 



On thefe few fa£ls I fhall not prefume to form a theory — 

 Neither do I offer them as fubjeds for fpeculation, but as an en- 

 couragement to further and more accurate refearches. 



Vol. VIII. D d Note. 



