182 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



liave enumerated. It Is likewise clear, llrat according to the nature 



\^y 



and extent of the strata of earth, through which they puss, mine- 

 ral waters will he more or less charged with these pn'nciples, ami 

 that the quantity and nature of these principles must be subject to 

 great variations, especially when we consider the changes in the 

 direction of their course to which these fluids are liable from tire 

 various alterations which the globe undergoes, particularly on Us 

 surface and its more elevated parts. 



The different Classes of Mineral Waters. Tt appears from 

 what we have already observed respecting the different substances 

 Visually contained in mineral waters, that these fluids may be classed 

 According to the earthy, talkie, a:id metuh'c substances they hold 

 in solution; and that the number of classes, on this principle! 

 \vould be very considerable : but it must be observed, that none 

 of these substances are found jingle and alone in waters; but, on 

 the contrary, they are often dissolved, in the number of thrrr, four, 

 five, or even more. This circumstance creates a difficulty in the 

 methodical classification of waters, relative to the principles that 

 they contain. However, if we attend to those substances which 

 are the most abundantly contained m waters, or whose prope, 

 are the most prevalent, we shall be able to make a distinction, 

 which, though not very accurate, \vi!I be sufficient to arrange these 

 fluids, and to form a judgment of tlu-ir virtues. Chemists who 

 have attended to mineral waters in general, have availed themsdvps 

 of this method. Monnet has established three classes of mineral 

 waters; the alkaline, the sulphureous, and the ferruginous; and 

 subsequent discoveries have enlarged the number of classes. Dvu 

 chanoy, >v!.o has published a valuable t realise on the art of imitaU 

 ing mineral waters, distinguishes ten, viz. the gaseon*, the alkaline, 

 the earthy, the ferruginous, the simple hot, the gaseous thermal, the 

 saponaceous, the sulphureous, the bituminous, and the saline waters. 

 Although it may be urged as a reproach, that this author has 

 made his classes twp numerous, tince, the pure gaseous and bitu- 

 minous waters are unknown: vet his division is donb-'less the most 



* w " 



complete, and gives the most accurate idea of l!;e nature of the 

 different mineral waters, and congequenlly is the best suited to bis 



subject. 'We shall here propose a division less extensive, and in 

 pur opinion more methodical, than that of Duchanoy ; at the same 

 time observing, that we do not consider simple thermal waters ;!< 

 waters, because they consist inertly of healed xvuler. :ur 



