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No. 10. 



THE OCCURRENCE OF HELIUM IN THE BOILING WELL AT 

 ST. EDMUNDSBURY, LUCAN. 



By a. G. G. LEONARD, F.R.C.Sc.I., Ph.D., F.LC., 



AND 



A. M. RICHARDSON, A.R.C.Sc.L, A.I.C. 

 (Plate V.) 



[Read May 23. Printed August 29, 1922.] 



The water from this well and the gases evolved from it were examined by Adeney 

 (Proc. Roy. I. Acad., 1906]. He found the gas to contain 97'9 per cent, nitrogen, 

 2'1 per cent, carbon dioxide. On the suggestion of Professor Adeney, we have 

 examined the gas for the presence of rare gases. 



The gases rising from the bottom of the well and giving it the appearance of 

 ebullition were collected by the method of Uamsay and Travers (Proc. Roy. Soc, 60, 

 p. 442, 1897). Quantities of about eight litres were collected at a time. The gases 

 were transferred in the laboratory to glass gas-holders. 



Uxperimental. 



Some preliminary experiments were first carried out in the preparation of aigon 

 by sparking atmospheric nitrogen with oxygen over caustic potash, and later by 

 passing atmospheric nitrogen over red-hot calcium turnings. When using calcium 

 for this purpose, it is necessary to heat the tube fairly strongly, and pump off any 

 gases evolved, before commencing the combustion, as calcium turnings which are 

 not quite fresh develop a surface film of hydroxide which loses water on heating, 

 and this interacts with the calcium giving off' hydrogen.' 



A qualitative examination of the gases from the well having definitely shown 

 the presence of argon and helium, a quantitative determination was undertaken 

 This was carried out by the removal of the bulk of the nitrogen by heated calcium 

 and subsequent removal of argon and traces of nitrogen by charcoal immersed i)i 

 liquid air. 



A separating funnel of capacity 838 c.cs. was fitted with a rubber stopper carry- 

 ing two tubes with glass taps, one of which connected with the gas reservoir, and the 

 other with the rest of the system. The stoppered stem of the funnel was connected 

 by rubber tubing with a reservoir of water. By this arrangement it was possible 

 without dis connection to admit several quantities of moist gas, measured at 

 atmospheric temperature and pressure, to the apparatus. The calcium tube was 



SCIENT. PKOC. R.D.S., VOL. XVII., NO. 10. Q 



