WATERS, MINERAL 1099 



happened during earthquakes which have been violent enough to disturb the sub- 

 terranean drainage and alter the shape of the fissures up which the waters ascend. 

 Thus, during the great earthquake at Lisbon, in 1755, the temperature of the spring 

 called La Source de la Eeine at Bagneres-de-Suchon, in the Pyrenees, was suddenly 

 raised as much as 75 Fahr,, or changed from a cold spring to one of 122 Fahr., a heat 

 which it has sinoo retained. It -is also recorded that the hot springs at Bagneres-de- 

 Bigorre, in the same mountain-chain, became suddenly cold during a great earthquake 

 which in 1660 threw down several houses in that town. It has been ascertained that 

 the hot springs of the Pyrenees, the Alps, and many other regions, are situated in lines 

 along with the rocks have teen rent, -and usually where they have been displaced or 

 faulted.' 



In the regions where volcanic eruptions still occasionally occur, hot- water springs 

 are found in great abundance; sometimes the water of these springs attains a boiling 

 temperature, and some emit steam considerably above boiling point. These springs 

 are most conspicuous in districts where, as in Central France, and the Eifel in Ger- 

 many, there are indications that the internal fires have comparatively recently become 

 dormant. 



At Carlsbad, in Bohemia, there are some very important mineral springs : one of 

 these is a very copious stream, gushing forth with great vehemence. Its temperature 

 is 165 Fahr. The analysis of Berzelius shows the water of this spring to contain : 



Sulphate of soda 2-58714 



Carbonate of soda 1-25200 



Chloride of sodium . " . ' . ' . ' . ' . " 1-04893 

 Carbonate of lime . . . ' . ' . ' . 0'31219 

 Fluoride of calcium . . . . . . 0-00331 



Phosphate of lime Q'00019 



Carbonate of strontia . . . . . 0-00097 



of magnesia 0-18221 



Phosphate of alumina ..... G'00034 

 Carbonate of manganese . . . . .a trace 

 Silex , 0-07504 



Total 5-46232 



Berzelius found that the substances dissolved by carbonic acid in this spring crystal- 

 lise out, when the carbonic acid escapes, independently of the diminution of the 

 liquid, but that the magnesia and silicic acid were not deposited until the evaporation 

 had taken place. 



There are many celebrated mineral springs in England ; amongst the most im- 

 portant may be enumerated those of Buxton, Harrowgate, Cheltenham, Leamington, 

 Tunbridge, Epsom, and Bath. 



Sir Charles Lyell stated (in the same Address before alluded to) that: 'The 

 thermal waters of Bath are far from being conspicuous among European hot springs 

 for the quantity of mineral matter contained in them in proportion to the water 

 which acts as a solvent.' ' Dr. Daubeny, after devoting a month to the analysis of 

 the Bath waters in 1833, ascertained that the daily evolution of nitrogen gas amounted 

 to no less than 250 cubic feet in volume. This gas, he remarks, is not only charac- 

 teristic of hot springs, but is largely disengaged from volcanic craters during eruptions. 

 Carbonic acid is another of the gaseous substances discharged by the Bath waters.' 



The temperature of the Bath waters varies in different springs from 117 to 120 

 Fahr. Prof. Koscoe analysed the Bath waters, more particularly the water of tho 

 King's Bath spring : he found it contained strontium, lithium, sulphate of calcium, 

 magnesium, and a small quantity of copper. 



Dr. Muspratt, in a letter addressed to the Editor of the Chemical News, said : 



' The thermal springs of Buxton issue from fissures in the calcareous rocks, and 

 are attended by often-repeated biit suspended volumes of gas, which escape partly 

 as large bubbles, and partly in countless minute vesicles of water, giving to the 

 liquid freshly collected in glass vessels all the appearance of aerated water. As it 

 gurgles up, the water is clear, sparkling, and almost tasteless. The temperature 

 is a little above 32 Fahr., and the specific gravity 1-000339. The most remark- 

 able feature of the Buxton water is the very large quantity of nitrogen which it 

 eviscerates.' 



Cubic inches 

 per gallon. 



Nitrogen 204-00 



Free Carbonic acid . . . . . . 8 - 50 



