42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Among the spring waters that contain mineral ingredients in 

 appreciable quantity, those characterized by the presence of 

 alkalis and alkaline earths are the most abundant in this State. 

 The dissolved bases may exist in association with chlorin and 

 carbon dioxid, as is the case with the springs of Saratoga county, 

 or they may be associated chiefly with sulfuric acid as illustrated 

 by the Sharon and Clifton Springs. 



The mineral waters of Saratoga Springs and Ballston are found 

 along fractured zones in Lower Siluric strata, the reservoirs oc- 

 curing usually in the Trenton limestone. They are accompanied 

 by free carbon dioxid, which together with chlorin, sodium, 

 potassium, calcium and magnesium exists also in dissolved con- 

 dition. The amount of solid constituents in the different waters 

 varies from less than loo to over 500 grains per gallon. Large 

 quantities of table and medicinal waters are bottled at the springs 

 for shipment to all parts of the country. The carbon dioxid 

 which issues from the wells at Saratoga is likewise an important 

 article of commerce. 



The waters at Richfield Springs contain the elements of the 

 alkali and alkaline earth groups together with sulfuric acid and 

 smaller amounts of chlorin, carbon dioxid and sulfureted 

 hydrogen. They are employed for medicinal baths as well as 

 for drinking purposes. The springs issue along the contact of 

 Siluric limestone and Devonic shales. Sharon Springs is situated 

 to the east of Richfield Springs and near the contact of the 

 Lower and Upper Siluric. Clifton Springs, Ontario co., and 

 Massena Springs, St Lawrence co., are among the localities 

 where sulfureted waters occur and are utilized. 



The Oak Orchard springs in the town of Byron, Genesee co., 

 are noteworthy for their acid waters which contain a consider- 

 able proportion of aluminum, iron calcium and magnesium, be- 

 sides free sulfuric acid. 



The Lebanon spring, Columbia co., is the single representative 

 in the State of the class of thermal springs. It has a tempera- 

 ture of 75° F. and is slightly charged with carbon dioxid and 

 nitrogen. 



A branch of the industry that has recently assumed consider- 

 able importance in New York State is the sale of spring waters 

 which can not be classed as mineral in the usual sense of the 

 term, but find wide use as potable waters on account of their 

 freedom from harmful impureties. Such waters are usually ship- 



