STATE GEOLOGIST. 185 



Ions would produce a bushel. Or suppose the strength of a 

 brine is expressed, as in Dr. Beck's Eeport, by giving its spe- 

 cific gravity, and we wish to compare the strength as thus 

 stated, with that of another brine given iii degrees of the sa- 

 lometer, or the number of grains in a pint, &c. We look in the 

 column of "specific gravity" in the foregoing table and find 

 the number which agrees nearest with the given one, then on 

 the same horizontal line ' we have all the synonymous expres- 

 sions for the same strength, and it is seen at once whether the 

 brine with which we wish to make the ' comparison is stronger 

 or weaker. Or suppose, thirdly, that a land owner desires to 

 know the comparative strength of a brine spring on his premi- 

 ses, while he possesses no instrument for taking specific gravity. 

 Let him evaporate a wine pint and weigh the residue, or take 

 it to the apothecary to weigh; then the number of grains, found 

 in the 5th column of the table, will show birn all the equivalent 

 expressions. 



In making use of this table it must be remembered that it 

 will prove accurate only for pure solutions of salt. In this State 

 the chlorid of calcium which exists to some extent in our brines 

 will cause the table to make a showing a little too favorable. 

 As the per centage of impurities is a variable quantity, it was 

 impossible to make allowance for them in the table. Though 

 we cannot therefore construct a table practically accurate, it 

 was not thought best to discard all attempts at a table. As 

 long as it is thought desirable to use the salometer, it seems to 

 mp to be a matter of convenience to have at hand the ready 

 means for converting its reading into the equivalent expres- 

 sions. This want has been felt by myself, and I have no doubt 

 many others will find the table useful. 



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