524 Expedition to the 



carbonate of lime,* which has accumulated on every side, until 

 it has formed a large basin overhanging the stream. This 

 basin is of a snowy whiteness, and large enough to contain 

 three or four hundred gallons, and is constantly overflowing. 

 The spring rises from the bottom of the basin, with a rumbling 

 noise, discharging about equal volumes of air and of water, 

 probably about fifty gallons per minute, the whole being kept 

 in constant agitation. The water is beautifully transparent, 

 and has the sparkling appearance, the grateful taste, and the 

 exhilarating effect of the most strongly aerated artificial mine- 

 ral waters. 



Distant a few rods from this, is another spring of the same 

 kind, which discharges no water, its basin remaining con- 

 stantly full, and air only escaping from it. We collected some 

 of the air from both of these springs, in a box we had carried 

 for the reception of plants, but could not perceive it to have 

 the least smell, or the power of extinguishing flame, which 

 was tested by plunging into it lighted splinters of dry cedar. 



The temperature of the water of the larger spring at noon 

 was 63°, the thermometer at the same time in the shade, 

 stood at 68°; immersed in the small spring, at 67°. This 

 difference in temperature, is owing to the difference of situa- 

 tion, the higher temperature of the small spring, depending 

 entirely on its constant exposure to the rays of the sun, and 

 to its retaining the same portion of water, while that in the 

 large spring is constantly replaced by a new supply. 



After we had dined, and hung up some provisions in a 



* It is well known, that water in which carbonic acid is dissolved, has 

 the power of holding in solution, a portion of hme, somewhat proportioned 

 in quantity to the acid. In this instance, the water no sooner comes in 

 contact with the atmosphere, than it parts with a portion of its fixed air, 

 consequently losing the power of holding- in solution the lime, which is 

 immediately deposited. The lime may perhaps be derived from the cement 

 of the sand rock, or possibly from the granite. Captain Hodgson, found 

 a rivulet among the high and exclusively granitic mountains of the Hy- 

 malaya, near the sources of the Ganges, so impregnated with calcareous 

 matter, as to deposit an incrustation on every thing it touched. 



See Annals of Philosophy, for July 1822, p. 36, 



