MINERAL WATERS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 371 



Bras (TOr Saline Water, Cape Breton. — This water has an ex- 

 traordinary and apparently well grounded reputation for procur- 

 ing alleviations and effecting cures in various maladies; authentic 

 cases being known of much benefit resulting from its use in rheu- 

 matism and severe headaches. A gentleman of high standing 

 and of scientific reputation informed me that he had obtained a 

 good appetite and increased strength by taking about five gallons 

 of it ; and by further use a moderation of the violence of asthmatic 

 attacks to which he was subject ; and in fact that its employment 

 had proved a real blessing to him. A water possessing such qua- 

 lities would of course be much resorted to, and it was considered 

 worth while to erect a house for the accommodation of visitors 

 soon after the merits of this water became somewhat known. 



There appear to be three springs at this locality, situated " near 

 Kelly's on the high road from Sydney to St. Peters, in a brook 

 that empties into the Salmon River, distant some two or three 

 miles from the source of the river, six or seven from the southern 

 shore of the Bras d'Or lake." On referring to .the map accom- 

 panying Dr. Dawson's Acadian Geology, at about the spot so in- 

 dicated, Devonian and Silurian rocks are found to come in contact 

 with syenite and other igneous rocks ; and I have direct informa- 

 tion that the water rises in syenitic rocks. The flow is said to be 

 not more than a gallon in a minute. Whether all the springs be- 

 come mingled in one stream I do not know ; the analysis which 

 follows was made on a quantity of the water most esteemed, I 

 apprehend, for medicinal virtues. The amount at my disposal 

 did not enable me to make a thorough investigation, so that no 

 doubt I do not give all its ingredieuts. The results were calculated 

 for the English imperial gallon of 70,000 grains. 



The water was clear and of neutral reaction. 



Grains. 



Iron and Phosphoric Acid Traces. 



Carbonates of Lime and Magnesia 0.60 



Sulphate of Lime 0.94 



Chloride of Sodium 343.11 



Chloride of Potassium 4.55 



Chloride of Calcium 308 . 90 



Chloride of Magnesium 4.47 



662. 57 

 Specific Gravity at 54° = 1007.397. 



The carbonates of lime and magnesia were thrown down by boil- 

 ing. It was assumed that two thirds of the precipitate thus obtained 



