Miscellanies. 407 



9. Information desired respecting Mineral Waters.— Dr. Daubeny, 

 Professor of Chemistry, he. in the University of Oxford, well known 

 to the scientific world, especially by his excellent work on volcanoes, of 

 which a full analysis was given in Vols. XIII. and XIV. of this Jour- 

 nal, is engaged in a general examination of mineral waters, and being 

 desirous of obtaining information on that subject, from every part of 

 the world, has forwarded to the Editor of this Journal the following 

 queries, which, although addressed more immediately to the people 

 of Great Britain, are not the less interesting in other countries. 



The Editor of this Journal solicits communications on this subject 

 from every part of this continent, and they will be given to the pub- 

 lic and to Dr. Daubeny, if permitted by their writers, through this 

 Journal. 



Oxford, July 13th, 1827. 



Sir, — Being desirous of investigating the properties of such of our 

 Mineral Waters as appear as yet to be known but imperfectly, I take 

 the liberty of soliciting information respecting those in your neigh- 

 borhood, and of submitting to you for that purpose the following que- 

 ries : — 



1 St. Are you aware of any springs in your county, or in those ad- 

 jacent, the heat of which exceeds the medium temperature of our 

 climate ? 



2nd. Is the temperature of such springs fixed or variable ? 



3rd. Do you know of any distinguished from ordinary water by 

 certain peculiarities, either sensible or chemical ? 



4th. Are you acquainted with any to which medical virtues are or 

 have been ascribed, or which, when taken, produce any remarkable 

 effects on the animal functions ? 



5th. Do the springs above alluded to give out any gaseous products, 

 and of what description ? 



6th. What is the geological character of the stratum from which 

 they arise ? 



7th. What effect do they produce on the stones and other substan- 

 ces with which they come in contact, upon ' the contiguous soil, or 

 upon animals ? 



8th. Are there any works in which a detailed and authentic ac- 

 count of such springs may be found ? 



In addition to answers to the above queries, I beg leave to request 

 any further information relative to hot or mineral waters which you 

 may have it in your power to afford me ; and shall likewise feel oblig- 



