Miscellanies, 1 57 



Chemical Examination, by Mr. C. U. Shepard, Assistant in the 

 Chemical Department of Yale College. 



This is a sulphureous water, as is perfectly obvious to the smeli 

 and taste. 



A. Twenty four ounce measures of the water boiled in a retort for 

 half an hour, gave over two and a half inches of gas, which appeared 

 to be a mixture of sulphuretted hydrogen and azote. It possessed 

 the odor of the former of these gasesj and extinguished a lighted 

 match, which was introduced into it. The water, after boiling, ex- 

 hibited a copious precipitate and still continued to emit the odor of 

 sulphuretted hydrogen gas ; the smell of which was increased upon 

 the addition of a httle sulphuric acid, from which circumstance it ap- 

 pears probable that the sulphuretted hydrogen is not wholly free, but 

 in part engaged with a basis, probably lime, in the form of a hydro- 

 sulphuret. 



B. Litmus paper, introduced into the water before boiling, was 

 unchanged ; but after being first reddened by a little acid, it had its 

 blue color restored ; indicating the presence of carbonate of soda or 

 potash. Tincture of alkanet was immediately changed to blue, by 

 the boiled water. 



C. Muriate of lime gave a precipitate with the water, proving the 

 presence of carbonate of lime. 



D. Muriate of barytes gave a precipitate with the water, proving 

 the presence of a sulphate or carbonate, probably lime, the substance 

 precipitated by boiling (in A.) 



E. Nut galls and prussiate of potash, gave no indications of iron, 



F. The addition of muriatic acid produced a distinct effervescence 

 in the water, owing either to sulphuretted hydrogen or carbonic acid, 

 or to both. 



G. The addition of carbonate of ammonia, and afterwards of phos- 

 phate of soda, gave a copious precipitate, proving the existence of 

 carbonate of magnesia. 



It appears then to be a strong sulphureous water, free from any 

 uncombined carbonic acid, and containing notable quantities of the 

 carbonates of lime, magnesia and soda, together with sulphate of lime. 



Sept. 4, 1830. 



Remarks by the Editor. 



I am not aware that the Avon water has been analyzed, but judg- 

 ing from its sensible properties, which I had an opportunity of ob- 



