ARTESIAN WELLS. 401 



CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF SOME OF THE ARTESIAN WATERS OF THE DENVER WELLS. 1 



The following analyses are of artesian waters from three wells in 

 Denver, viz: The A.nderson well; Windsor well, upper How; Windsor well, 

 lower flow; Court-House well, lower flow. 



Samples of the three were first collected by a member of the committee 

 and forwarded to Golden. The care with which the Court-House water 

 was collected can not be vouched for, but it is assured that every care was 

 taken to send a correct sample in a clean vessel. Its analysis is included 

 in this report, as the difference between this and the firsi three waters 

 named is great, not only in the amount of solid residue, but in the presence 

 of chlorine in noticeable quantity. Attention is also called to the fact that 

 in this water only was lime found in excess over sulphuric acid. The 

 remarkable similarity between the first three waters is seen at a glance. 



In tabulating the results the probable "rational" analysis, both in 

 grains per gallon (United States gallon of 231 cubic inches, or 58,320 

 grains) and in parts in 100,000, is given first. Below are added the 

 results, by separate constituents. Carbonic acid is not included, as it 

 was impossible, after much delay, to secure any suitable apparatus for 

 gas determinations in Denver The analyses are, then, simply records of 

 amounts of solid residues, and the analyses of those residues. 



Nearly every determination was made in duplicate; several iu tripli- 

 cate. Qualitative tests for the higher metals as well as for sulphuretted 

 hydrogen, iodine, and bromine failed to give the faintest reactions. Upon 

 concentration, faint acidulation, and treatment with sulphuretted hydrogen 

 an almost imperceptible tint was developed, but it was not identified as 

 metallic, nor could any characteristic reaction be obtained, and it is assumed 

 to have been merely caused by separated sulphur mixed with the small but 

 inevitable amount of inorganic dust which settles in every atmosphere. 



The soda was determined as follows: A portion of tin- water being 

 evaporated to dryness in platinum, the residue was taken up with sulphuric 



ei'bese analyses were made by Prof. Regis Chauvenet, of the Colorado School of Mines, assisted 

 by Mr. Charles A. i iehrmann, an advanced si intent at tin! school. Tin- analj ses « ere for a paper upon 

 the Artesian Wells of the Denver Basin, published in June, 1884, by tin- Colorado Scientific 

 as the results i,i ;ui investigation made by a committee from the society, Thi ment of 



Professor Chauvenet accompanying the analyses is added, practically without change. 



