394 Analysis of the Holy-well Wale): 



hydrocyanic acid by the action of nitric acid and charcoal*. 

 M. Frisiani has also observed the same effect produced, in a 

 very striking manner, during the action of nitric acid on the 

 residuum obtained by calcining sulphate of baryta with vege- 

 table charcoal, and removing every thing soluble in water by 

 repeated washings. A strong odour of hydrocyanic acid was 

 produced, and when the action was made to take place in a 

 Woulfe's bottle, the tube of which passed into a solution of 

 potash, the liquor collected, when rendered slightly acid, and 

 precipitated by persulphate of iron, gave a precipitate, which 

 washed with muriatic acid became Prussian blue. Nitrates of 

 the earths, or alkalies, boiled with vegetable charcoal, gave no 

 result of this kind. "When the nitrates and charcoal were mixed 

 in the dry way and heated, the action was, of course, violent, 

 but no important results were obtained. — Gio.de Fis.\\\.2W. 



ANALYSIS OF THE HOLY-WELL WATER, NEAR CARTMELL, LAN- 

 CASHIRE. — BY J. C. WOOLNOTH, LIEUT. R.N. 



This spring is situated at the base of a bluff', hill called 

 Humphrey Head, the extreme point of a range of calcareous 

 hills ibrming the eastern boundary of the Vale of Cartmell. 

 The water is emitted through a small lead tube about an inch 

 in diameter, surrounded and inclosed by rough masonry, and 

 which delivers a gallon of water in about 1' 47''. The specific 

 gravity of the water is 1*006, and the relative proportions of 

 iLs contents appear, from various experiments, to be as follows, 

 in a wine pint of the water : — 



Carbonic acid gas .... one cubic inch. 

 Carbonate of magnesia .... 0.266 



Sulphate of soda 3.872 



lime 1.500 



magnesia 3.000 



Muriate of soda 19.782 



magnesia 9.000 



Peroxide of iron 1.750 



Insoluble in muriatic acid, princi- ) „ _ n 

 pally silica J 



42.170 grains. — 

 Journal of Sciences, S>c. vol. xviii. p. 187. 



MR. D. GILBERT ON THE WHEELS AND SPRINGS OF CARRIAGES. 



Taking wheels completely in the abstract, they must be con- 

 sidered as answering two different purposes. 



First, They transfer the friction which would take place be- 



* See Phil. Mag. vol. Ixii. p. 1 5.°., 2*34. 



tween 



