270 Boracic Acid Lagoons of Tuscany. 



In performing his experiments, it would seems that Prof. Dan- 

 iell used his ingenious apparatus, known as the sustaining bat- 

 tery, which, aUhough pecuharly quahfied for the production of a 

 durable current, is, as we think, far less competent than the calo- 

 rimotor of Dr. Hare, to produce a transient intense ignition such 

 as would be the most efficacious in igniting gunpowder. 



Art. XI. — On the Boracic Acid Lagoons of Tuscany ; by 

 John Bowring, LL. D.* 



The borax lagoons of Tuscany are entitled to a detailed de- 

 scription. They are unique in Europe, if not in the world ; and 

 their produce is become an article of equal importance to Great 

 Britain as an import, and to Tuscany as an export. They are 

 spread over a surface of about 30 miles, and exhibit from the dis- 

 tance columns of vapor, more or less according to the season of 

 the year and state of the weather, which rise in large volumes 

 among the recesses of the mountains. 



As you approach the lagoons, the earth seems to pour out boil- 

 ing water as if from volcanos of various sizes, in a variety of soil, 

 but principally of chalk and sand. The heat in the immediate 

 adjacency is intolerable, and you are drenched by the vapor, 

 which impregnates the atmosphere with a strong and somewhat 

 sulphurous smell. The whole scene is one of terrible violence 

 and confusion — the noisy outbreak of the boiling element — the 

 rugged and agitated surface — the volumes of vapor — the impreg- 

 nated atmosphere — the rush of waters — among bleak and soli- 

 tary mountains. 



The ground, which burns and shakes beneath your feet, is 

 covered with beautiful crystallizations of sulphur and other min- 

 erals. Its character beneath the surface at Mount Cerbole is that 

 of a black marl streaked with chalk, giving it, at a short distance, 

 the appearance of variegated marble. 



Formerly the place was regarded by the peasants as the en- 

 trance of hell, a superstition derived no doubt from very ancient 

 times, for the principal of the lagoons and the neighboring vol- 



* From Dr. Bo'wriiig'e Report ou the Statistics of Tuscany. 



