1 7o Mayow 



CHAPTER XV 



OF THE THERMAL WA TERS OF BA TH. 

 INCIDENTALLY, OF THE SOURCE OF SPRINGS 



Among the most famous thermal waters are to be 

 reckoned those of Bath, for in these wonderful waters 

 there dwells perpetually a vestal and sacred fire — a 

 friendly treaty being as it were formed between 

 elements the most discordant. 



Before coming to the question of how these springs 

 are warmed, it will be of advantage, I think, to make a 

 brief inquiry into the ingredients of their waters. 



In the first place, then, it is evident that the Bath 

 thermal waters are impregnated with a salt of an acid 

 nature ; for if any alkaline or purely volatile salt is 

 mixed with their waters, a precipitation will 

 immediately be produced in them, and they will 

 become turbid and milky. Further, warmed milk will 

 be coagulated if the water of these thermal springs is 

 poured into it, precisely as if any acid liquid were 

 used. 



And yet the salt of the springs does not appear to 

 be acid pure and simple, but combined with some 

 alkaline salt : for if that water be evaporated to 

 dryness, a salt of a more fixed nature will be found at 

 the bottom of the vessel, since it effervesces if any 

 acid spirit is poured on it. Of this nature, too, are the 

 mud and sand of the springs which are thrown out 

 along with the bubbling stream of water, for if any 

 acid liquid is poured upon them, a marked ebullition 

 will immediately be produced. It is also to be 

 observed that a salt in these waters, or rather a limy 



