Mr. Cuff on the Presence of Iodine^ 8fc. in the Bath Waters. 9 



even in Europe ; but that in Asia, the cradle of the human 

 race, they have never been at all explored. From the absence 

 of human bones in the antediluvian deposits of Europe, the 

 only consequence which can justly be inferred is, that the re- 

 gions of the earth which we inhabit were not peopled before 

 the Deluge ; and this consideration furnishes a strong presump- 

 tion that no long interval elapsed between that event and the 

 creation. • 



So that the present state of our knowledge upon this subject 

 presents us with two geological probabilities : first, that there 

 has been since the creation of the present order of animated 

 beings a general deluge, which destroyed a great multitude of 

 those animals and extinguished several species; and secondly, 

 that this deluge followed the creation at no very considerable 

 interval of time, and before mankind had overspread the earth. 

 These are links between natural and civil history which it is 

 of the highest interest to trace ; and the confirmation and ex- 

 tension of them is the most important object to which the in- 

 quiries of geologists can be directed. 



II. On the Prese?ice of Iodine, Potash, and Magnesia, in the 

 Bath Waters. By Mr. Charles Cuff. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazi7ie afid Annals. 

 Gentlemen, 

 T^HE annexed detail of experiments upon the Bath waters, 

 *" I made at the suggestion of Sir G. S. Gibbes, M.D. with 

 a view to ascertain the presence of iodine, bromine, mag- 

 nesium, or potassium ; the two latter bodies having been stated 

 by Mr. Walcker, in his recent analysis, as existing in them*, 

 though unnoticed by other experimentalists except Dr. Bryan 

 Higgins, who assigns twenty-two grains in the gallon of mu- 

 riate of magnesia. At a more convenient season I purpose re- 

 newing this inquiry into the saline contents of these celebrated 

 springs. My present object referring solely to the points stated 

 above, I submit the result of my experiments to the attention 

 of others who may have time or inclination to pursue the in- 

 vestigation. I remain. Gentlemen, yours, &c. 



Bath Institution, Nov. 18, 1829. ChahlES Cuff. 



Twenty-four imperial gallons of the water from the King's 

 Bath were evaporated in a new tinned iron boiler to about half 



* See Phil. Mag. and Annals, N. S. vol. vi. p. 148. 

 N. S. Vol. 7. No. 37. Jafi. 1830. C half 



