4S0 



Transactions. — Chemistry . 



observed during my stay at Waiwera the good effects produced by tlie 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 sam^yle of Water from Aorangi. 



This water was despatched here by the late Sir Donald McLean, for 

 the 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 sahne. 



The following is the composition of the solid matters therein, calculated 

 in grains per gallon: — 



Sulphate 



ui »uuium . . . . . . 



. of soda . . 



. . 1-08 



Carbonate of soda 



.. 1-81 



5) 



lime 



.. 1-76 



5) 



magnesia 



.. -81 



)) 



iron . . 



.. -94 



Silica 



.. 



.. 1-56 



Organic 



matter 



.. 3-92 



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 he 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 — 

 sulx^huretted 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 



