Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 233 



Researches in Natural History. 2nd Edit. By John Murray, 

 F.S.A. F.L.S. F.G.S. 



A Treatise on Atmospherical Electricity, including Lightning 

 Rods and Paragreles. 2nd Edit. By John Murray, F.S.A. F.L.S. 

 F.G.S. 



Elements of the Economy of Nature, or the Principles of Physics, 

 Chemistry, and Physiology ; founded on the recently discovered 

 Phenomena of Light, Electro-Magnetism, and Atomic Chemistry. 

 By J. G. Macvicar, A.M. 



Hannibal's Passage of the Alps. By a Member of the University 

 of Cambridge. 



Essay on Superstition ; being an Inquiry into the Effects of 

 Physical Influence on the Mind, in the Production of Dreams, 

 Visions, Ghosts, and other Supernatural Appearances. By Wm. 

 Newnham, Esq. Author of the " Principles of Physical, Intellec- 

 tual, Moral, and Religious Education," &c. 



An Outline of the Sciences of Heat and Electricity. By Thomas 

 Thomson, M.D. F.R.S. Regius Professor of Chemistry in the Uni- 

 versity of Glasgow, &c. 



THE MINERAL SPRINGS OF CALDAS DA RAYNHA. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Annals. 

 Gentlemen, 



The town of Caldas in the kingdom of Portugal is situated four- 

 teen leagues to the north of Lisbon, and about two leagues distant 

 from the sea. It appears that several mineral springs abound in 

 the vicinity, but the most celebrated of these are called Caldas da 

 Raynha, a few feet elevated above the level of the Atlantic Ocean. 

 Judging from the specimens in my possession, the geological struc- 

 ture of the rocky range of this district combines primitive with 

 transition limestone. The former possesses a highly crystalline 

 structure, and emits on collision of fragments a foetid odour like 

 brimstone, — a characteristic of some great marbles, as for instance 

 the Pentelican. The latter is lucullite, belonging to the secon- 

 dary series. 



These mineral waters appear to be thermal, and evolve a con- 

 stant vapour visible at some distance, and have from time imme- 

 morial been resorted to in inveterate rheumatism, and syphilitic 

 and scrofulous cases, and even used internally as a tonic, with re- 

 puted success. 



This mineral water is sent in considerable quantity to the Brazils, 

 &c. in opake bottles corked and sealed. 



I am indebted to the kindness of the Chevalier de Mascarenhas, 

 Consul-general for Portugal, &c, for a specimen of the Caldas da 

 Raynha spring, which though in quantity insufficient to determine 

 its chemical proportionals, was yet enough to indicate the consti- 

 tuents ; a succinct summary of which, from their interesting cha- 

 racter, I have presumed might not be altogether foreign to your 

 pages, nor unacceptable to many of your readers. 



N. S. Vol. 8. No. 4-5. Sept. 1830. 2 H This 



