Account of the New Mineral Spring at Albany. 145 



of the globe, which I have thus hazarded, consists simply in the 

 application of those modes of operation which nature still em- 

 ploys, on a large scale, in the production of fresh mineral masses 

 on the surface of the earth, to explain the origin of those which 

 we find there already. 



" If after fair discussion, and with all reasonable allowances, 

 it is found adequate to this purpose, its truth will be established 

 on the soundest possible basis — the same upon which rests the 

 whole fabric of our knowledge on every subject whatsoever, the 

 supposition, namely, that the laws of nature do not vary but that 

 similar results always are, have been, and will be produced, by 

 similar preceding circumstances. 



" An appendix is added to this work, containing a list of known 

 volcanos in recent or habitual activity ; and an examination of 

 the anomalous phenomena, described by M. de Humbolt, as 

 having accompanied the eruption of Jorullo in Mexico. The 

 work is illustrated by engravings, lithographs, and numerous 

 wood-cuts." 



Art. XVII. — Account of the new Mineral Spring at Albany, 

 with an analysis and remarks ; by Wm. Meade, M. D. 



TO THE EDITOR. 



Sir — A mineral spring having lately been discovered in the 

 city of Albany, which has excited considerable interest not 

 only from the qualities of the water, but from some curious 

 circumstances attending the manner in which it was discov- 

 ered, I have been induced to make some inquiries on the 

 subject, which have led me into an investigation of the chemi- 

 cal properties of the water. The result of this inquiry I now 

 beg leave to offer to the public through the medium of your 

 valuable and useful Journal. Wm. Meade. 



It appears that in the summer of 1826, Messrs. Boyd &. 

 McCulloch, with a laudable anxiety to procure pure water for 

 their extensive brewery at Albany, engaged with Mr. Disbrow, 

 to commence the operation of boring, according to the meth- 

 od which he has submitted to the public,* and in which he 

 has been so often successful. When they had proceeded to 

 the depth of about 480 feet from the surface, instead of ob- 

 taining what they expected, they observed that the water 



* See Vol. 12, p. 136 of this Journal. 

 Vol. XIII.— No. 1. 19 



