430 T'ransactions.— Chemistry. 
observed during my stay at Waiwera the good effects produced by the use of 
the water, both by drinking and bathing, I am convinced of its efficacy in 
many disorders, more especially in rheumatism, scrofula, and gout." 
6. A sample of Water from Aorangi. 
This water was despatched here by the late Sir Donald McLean, for 
ihe purpose, I believe, of having an opinion as to whether it is a mineral 
water in the popular sense of the term. The characters of it are—colour, 
pale yellow; tasteless; odourless; weakly saline. 
The following is the composition of the solid matters t ferus calculated 
in grains per gallon:— 
Chloride of sodium vs ve vs oe Ae, 
Sulphate of soda Es oe a 1:08 
Carbonate of soda ^. e ie is LI 
Be lime EN S oe a IL 
us magnesia ee t ae san ee 
iron.. ee eat om wc D 
Silica s s. Va oe oo L58 
Organic matter .. = a ee s. 093 
13°75 
The carbonates are calculated as neutral or mono-carbonates, but there 
is a considerable quantity of carbonic acid present in the water beyond 
what is required for this. 
From this it appears that the water can hardly be a mineral one, and if 
it has therapeutic qualities at all, they must be of a very feeble kind. Date 
of receipt, December 12, 1874. 
7. Water averred to be of a poisonous nature. 
Taken from a spring near Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty, and con- 
tributed by A. P. Seymour, Esq., 14th April, 1868, was found to be slightly 
turbid and of a faintly sour and styptic taste, with the odour of sulphuretted 
hydrogen. The quantity was too small to admit of a complete analysis being 
performed upon it. The total quantity of fixed matters found to be present 
in the water was 8:19 grains per gallon. They chiefly consisted of alkaline 
and earthy silicates. 
The water was especially examined for mineral substances.of a poisonous 
nature, and the only one partaking of this quality is the gas instanced— 
sulphuretted hydrogen. Assuming this to be the substance producing the 
symptoms of poisoning stated, the fact of the water becoming innocuous on 
exposure to the air can be explained by the circumstance that this gas 
would soon remove itself or oxidize to an innocuous compound. 
8. Acidic Mineral Water from White Island. 
Was collected by the Survey in 1868. As received it was colourless and 
