MINERAL WATERS OF DUNBLANE. 473 



The carbonate of lime contained in both waters, may, it is 

 obvious, according to the same view, be a product of the ope- 

 ration, and may exist in the water in the state of carbonate of 

 soda. Yet the quantity is so small, and carbonate of lime is 

 so generally diffused in the mineral kingdom, that it may per- 

 haps be regarded as an original ingredient. On the other hand, 

 it seems to be nearly insoluble in water, and this favours the 

 supposition that it is a product of the analysis. It is unques- 

 tionably so in the mineral waters in which it has been stated 

 to exist in much larger quantity, and in which there is not, at 

 the same time, any excess of carbonic acid, by which it might 

 be retained dissolved. 



The view of the constitution of this mineral water which I 

 have now explained, suggested a method of analysis which I 

 may state, both as it accords with, and in some measure con- 

 firms it, and illustrates some circumstances connected with the 

 mutual action of the sulphate of soda, and muriate of lime, to 

 which I shall afterwards have to refer. It affords, too, an ex- 

 cellent illustration of the definite proportions in which many 

 bodies combine, and the uniformity of results which are ob- 

 tained from their action on each other, in consequence of this 

 law. 



Supposing the sulphate of lime obtained from this water by 

 evaporation, to be formed by the action of sulphate of soda on 

 a portion of its muriate of lime, it might be inferred, that by 

 adding the due proportion of sulphate of soda, the whole mu- 

 riate of lime it contains may be converted into sulphate of 

 lime; and this, from its insolubility, being easily separated 

 from the muriate of soda, the quantity of it, and of course the 

 quantity of muriate of lime, will be ascertained. From the 

 preceding analysis, 18 grains of muriate of lime appear to exist 

 in a pint of the Dunblane water. Now this quantity requires 



for 



