54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The mineral waters of Saratoga Springs and Ballston are 

 found along fractured zones in Lower Siluric strata, the reser- 

 voirs occurring usually in the Trenton limestone. They are 

 accompanied by free carbon dioxid, which together with chlorin, 

 sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, exists also in dis- 

 solved condition. The amount of solid constituents in the differ- 

 ent 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 hydro- 

 gen. 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 sit- 

 uated 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 

 w^here 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, 

 besides free sulfuric acid. 



The Lebanon spring, Columbia co. is the single representa- 

 tive in the vState of the class of thermal springs. It has a tem- 

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

 and nitrogen. 



Ordinary spring waters. The greater quantity of spring 

 waters consumed in the State belongs to the nonmedicinal, non- 

 carbonated class, represented by such springs as the Great 

 Bear, Deep Rock, Mount View, Sun Ray, Chemung etc. The 

 waters are obtained either from flowing springs or from artesian 

 wells and are shipped in carboys or in tank cars to the prin- 

 cipal cities where they are bottled and distributed by wagons 

 among the consumers. The essential feature of such waters is 

 their freedom from noxious impurities. This is generally safe- 

 guarded by the care exercised in the handling of the waters 

 which are also regularly examined in chemical and bacteriolog- 

 ical laboratories. 



