On Etihydros found at Beechwoiih. 73 



ammonium and phosphate of soda, a relatively abundant 

 crystalline precipitate, tufts or stellate groups of acicular 

 crystals, was obtained. 



A drop of the fluid examined in the spectroscope showed 

 vividly the sodium double line, but no indication of potassium, 

 lithium, calcium, nor indeed of any other metal was apparent. 

 Although the results thus recoi-ded were quite distinct, it 

 is yet to be remembered that the quantity operated upon 

 was but a few drops of water, and that this small quantity 

 was but feebly mineralized. Probably examinations con- 

 ducted with larger quantities of the fluid of these " enhy- 

 dros" may show additional reactions. The subject is certainly 

 ■ of suflicient importance to invite further inquiry, if only a 

 sufficient supply of these specimens containing water can be 

 obtained. 



A.S far as my results are to be trusted they show that the 

 fluid in the enhydros is limpid water feebly mineralized with 

 chlorides and sulphates of sodium, magnesium, and calcium, 

 and that a soluble form of silicic acid is also present. 



I have heard of some of these stones having an apparently 

 viscid fluid within them. Of course I am unqualified to 

 speak concerning specimens which I have not seen ; but, 

 from the motion of the fluid in the few specimens which 

 have come under my notice, and from the perfect limpidity 

 and liquidit}^ of the fluid extracted in two instances, I am 

 inclined to the opinion that the contents as found in the 

 specimen now described will prove characteristic for the 

 whole ; especially as a bubble of fluid, moving from end to 

 end within the stone, between closely approaching walls of 

 the enhydros, serrated all over with the summits of quartz 

 crystals, would be much impeded in its motion. It appears 

 to my mind that water moving under these conditions 

 would bear the appearance of sluggish oil. 



I have one or two remarks to make concerning the silice- 

 ous substance of which these water stones are composed. 

 When the two members originally forming the complete 

 specimen were separated from each other, the cleavage sur- 

 face presented thin and minute patches of a white substance, 

 — a kind of bloom, mapped over it. When this bloom is 

 removed, the surface of chalcedony beneath is found to be 

 curiously marked with outlines, showing where each little 

 patch has been attached, and the chalcedony is further seen 

 to be laminated in places ; in fact, these thin laminae can be 

 easily detached. When one of these Jaminse is examined 



