MINERAL WATERS OF DUNBLANE. 491 



Large quantities of Seltzer water have been imported into 

 this country, and artificial preparations of it are in frequent 

 use. If these are founded on Bergman's view of its composi- 

 tion, they can scarcely succeed ; probably, therefore, this is not 

 attempted. The view which I have suggested, renders its ar- 

 tificial preparation much more easy. The ingredients may be 

 dissolved in water, and the solution impregnated with carbo- 

 nic acid gas. Or, what is easier, these steps of the process 

 may be conjoined. The muriate of lime may be formed by 

 adding the requisite quantity of carbonate of lime to the due 

 proportion of muriatic acid diffused in water, and the vessel 

 being closed, the escape of the carbonic acid gas may be pre- 

 vented. The muriate of magnesia, and the muriate of soda, 

 may be formed in a similar manner from the carbonates of 

 magnesia and soda. And the quantity of carbonic acid thus 

 afforded, will be very nearly that which is required. To form 

 the muriate of lime, 3 grains of carbonate are to be used ; 

 to form the muriate of magnesia, 5 grains of the carbonate of 

 that earth ; and to form the 7.8 grains of muriate of soda, 12.3 



grains 



much weaker, and without any free carbonic acid. Dr Wixson's analysis gives 

 the following ingredients, and their proportions in a gallon : 



Carbonate of soda, - 5.33 grains. 



lime, - 1.6 



magnesia, - 0.9199 



iron, - 0.625 



Sulphate of soda, - 2.896 



Muriate of soda,. - 1.553 



Residuum, - - 1.687 



The muriate of soda, there is every probability, is a product of the operation, 

 formed by the action of carbonate of soda on muriate of lime ; or if sulphate of 

 lime formed part of the residuum, as is probable, by the action of sulphate of 

 soda on muriate of lime. 



