106 Dr. Lankester on Plants and Animals 



Amongst the substances found in sulphureous springs is one 

 called (flairine, which has for a long time been recognised by 

 continental chemists, and was carefully investigated by Pro- 

 fessor Anglada, who thought it resulted from the chemical 

 action of some of the constituents of the water in which it Avas 

 found. Dr. Daubeny has also investigated this substance, and, 

 in opposition to the opinion of Anglada, believes it to arise en- 

 tirely from organic matters in the waters in which it occurs. 

 This notice first induced me to ascertain if this substance was 

 present in the sulphureous waters of Askern and subsequently 

 in those of Harrowgate, and the result has been the detection 

 of forms of animal and vegetable life in circumstances m 

 which I had not previously suspected them. 



Previously to Dr. Daubeny's investigation, Dr. Willan had 

 announced the presence of a peculiar organic substance in the 

 waters of Croft in Yorkshire, which Dillwyn named Conferva 

 nivea ; and manj French and German chemists had described 

 organic matters in mineral waters, as resin of sulphur, humus, 

 extractive, Baregine, zoogene, &c., &c. 



As great medicinal virtues have been attributed to these 

 substances, they have in certain quarters attracted consider- 

 able notice ; but not having visited any of the mineral waters 

 of the continent with the view of investigating them, I am 

 not able to say how far those which I have found at Harrow- 

 gate and Askern may resemble those described on the con- 

 tinent, and shall only endeavour in this place to point out the 

 nature of certain substances in these waters, which appear 

 to resemble those spoken of by continental writers. 



Throughout the whole district in which Askern is situated, 

 the soil in many places, and the mud in the ditches and pools, 

 when tested, gives very decided proof of the existence of sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen. At certain seasons of the year many of 

 these spots are covered with a whitish-looking Conferva, which 

 1 have supposed to be the Conferva nivea of Dillwyn. The 

 specimens obtained from off the sulphuretted mud of Avaters 

 which contain no sulphuretted hydrogen, present a greenish 

 fibre, surrounded by verticilli of numerous smaller fibres. 

 This appear^ to be the plant in a mature stage of growth. If 

 however a small portion of the mineral water be put aside, it 

 will in the course of a little time present on the sides of the 

 vessel in which it is contained a whitish-looking substance, 

 which, on being examined by the microscope, exhibits a mass 

 of very delicate fibres. The same fibres are found to consti- 

 tute the white substance which collects around the sides of 

 the sulphur Avells, as w-ell as at the bottoms of the cisterns 

 and the pipes through which the water is drawn. 



