272 An Analysis of 



separation of the iron, annmonia was added to the solution of 

 the solid matter which had been procured by evaporation ; and 

 care being taken that the aninioiiia was free from carbonic acid, 

 little or no precipitation could take place but of oxide of iron. 

 A yellowish flocculeut precipitate subsided slowly, which, after 

 being washed, was added to the insoluble residue. 



The insoluble matter thus collected consisted, as the preced- 

 ing steps of the analysis establish, chiefly of sulphate, with a 

 smaller portion of carbonate of lime, with which was mixed the 

 oxide of iron. A drop or two of sulphuric acid was added, to 

 convert the carbonate into sulphate of lime ; and heat was ap- 

 plied to expel any excess of acid. A little pure muriatic acid 

 was then added to dissolve the oxide of iron, and to form with 

 more ceitaintv the red muriate, soluble in alcohol, a drop of 

 nitric acid was added along with it. On applying heat, with 

 the addition of a little water, to favour the action, a yellow co- 

 lour was acquired. When the excess of acid was nearly dissi- 

 pated, the mass was repeatedly lixiviated with alcohol, in which 

 sulphate of lime being insoluble, the muriate of iron only would 

 be dissolved. The alcohol acquired accordingly a yellow colour. 

 Being evaporated by a gentle heat, it gave a residuum, which, 

 on a drop of nitrous acid being added, became of a deep red- 

 dish-brown colour, and after being heated strongly, weighed 

 0-34 grain. Redissolved in muriatic acid, it formed a rich yel- 

 low coloiued solution, and gave a deep colour with tincture of 

 galls. 



Even in this way, the whole iron is not obtained ; for the so- 

 lutieu of the saline matter, though ammonia had been added to 

 it, to precipitate the iron, still gave a weak colour with galls. 

 The quantity therefore is rather under-rated. Taking tjie above 

 however as the proportion, the whole composition will be in a 

 ])int of the water of the North Spring, 



Muriate of soda 24 grains. 



Muriate of lime 18 



Sulphate of liiiie 3'5 



Carbonate of lime 0*5 



Oxide of iron 0'17 



46-17 

 Anuhjsh of the Water of the South Spring. 

 The water of this spring has a taste similar to that of the other, 

 but rather weaker : it produces similar medicinal effects. In 

 the present state of the spring, its strength is more variable, 

 according to the state of the weather. From this circumstance, 

 and from its being rather weaker, it has probably a greater in- 

 termixture 



