878 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



of Saratoga Springs, where, by virtue of the gi-eater elevation of 

 their distant source, they reach the surface through crevices in the 

 rocks produced by the fracture. 



Quantity of Water. 



Owing to leakage about the upper end of the wooden tube, 

 particularly v»'here the glass tube is joined to it, it was not possi- 

 ble to determine the quantity of water issuing from the spring. 

 It is the general opinion, however, among those who are familiar 

 with the springs, that the flow if equal, and probably much supe- 

 rior to that of any other spring at Saratoga. 



The flow at the brim of the tube has been estimated at two 

 hundred gallons per minute, but I think this estimate much too 

 high, at least while the overfloAv is maintained at the present 

 level, though it may have been a low estimate for the flow at the 

 level of the rock. 



The flow of water is, however, far more than sufficient to supply 

 all that can be bottled ; and, should it ever prove insufficient, it 

 can be readily increased by lowering the level of the overflow so 

 as to diminish tiie weight of the column of water in the tube. 



Character of the Water. 



As it flows from the spring the water is clear and sparkling, and 

 is highly charged with gas. Down in the earth, where the water 

 is under pressure, it is overcharged with gas, and the removal of 

 this ])ressure, as the water comes to the surface; causes, as pre- 

 viously remarked, an escape of the excess. The flow of gas is 

 somewhat intermittent ; for, while the escape of bubbles is con- 

 stant, there occurs every few minutes a burst of gas which causes 

 the water in the tube to boil over. Tiie ao;itatiou of the water 

 produced by raising and lowering the grating placed in the tube 

 to receive glasses, <fec., accidentally falling into the spring, causes, 

 a few seconds after, an escape of gas in unusual quantity. 



The temperature of the water is 50° Fahrenheit. The taste is 

 very agreeable, being acidulous and saline, but much milder than 

 that of any of the other Saratoga springs. Its resemtehince in 

 flavor to the celebrated Selters or Seltzer water of Germany, wjis 

 noticed by all who were acquainted with that water, and it has 

 c<;)nsequently received the name, SARATOGA SELTZER 

 SPRING, by common consent. 



