374 MINERAL WATERS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



The water has long bean considered chalybeate, and has been 

 taken medicinally by a number of persons, with what effect I do not 

 know. It is well known as a favorite drink for horses and cattle- 

 The chalybeate character of the water was inferred from its pos- 

 sessing a strong inky taste, and also from a certain red deposit 

 found in the conduit pipes through which it ran, both of which 

 were justly attributed to the presence of iron. There is however 

 very little iron in the water as it issues from its outlet, as is seen 

 in the following analysis made of the water carefully collected 

 in a small reservoir filled immediately from the spring rising 

 beneath. 



The water was perfectly colourless and clear ; it had little taste, 

 and that not inky ; its temperature was 49° F., that of the air 

 being 31°. It afforded the following constituents in an imperial 

 gallon : 



Grains. 



Carbonate of Lime 17.50 



Carbonate of Iron , 0.40 



Carbonate of Magnesia . 0.31 



Sulphate of Lime 106.21 



Sulphate of Soda , 0.68 



Sulphate of Potassa 0.38 



Sulphate of Magnesia 11.02 



Chloride of Sodium ?- 0-90 



Phosphoric Acid and organic matter traces 



Silica 0-60 



Grains in a gallon 138.00 



Free Carbonic Acid (1.35 cubic inch at 32 ° ) 0.64 



Specific Gravity at 49 ° Fab.... 1001.858 



This water would be placed in the sixth class of Hunt,* being 

 rich in sulphates. The sulphate of lime (derived no doubt from 

 the prevailing gypsum,) which is the characteristic ingredient, is 

 present in larger amount in only one out of fifteen waters from 

 Cheltenham in England, and is by no means a common consti- 

 tuent of waters in such large proportion. The water is known 

 to possess purgative properties when taken freely, owing in part no 

 doubt to the sulphate of magnesia present. The inky taste and the 

 red deposit from the water are due to its action on the soil, and to its 

 admixture with surface water, and are only observed when precau- 

 tions are not taken to keep the spring-water pure. The chalybeate 



* Report on Geology of Canada,. 1863, p. 532. 



