THERMAL WATERS OF ASIA MINOR. 101 



era Empire and the Turks. It is situated on the river Pursceck 

 or Thymbius, which empties into the Sangarius, that flows into 

 the Black Sea, and is equidistant from that sea and the sea 

 of Marmora, being a little over one hundred miles from each. 

 Eski-Shehr is a city of some importance to the Turks, and 

 it is from here that Europe derives the greater portion of that 

 mineral called meerschaum, used in making pipes. 



In a certain quarter of this city, by excavating to the depth 

 of a few feet, hot water is obtained, which is a matter of great 

 annoyance to the inhabitants, as they can have no wells of 

 drinking-water. It is in this quarter that are situated the 

 celebrated hot baths, doubtless used for more than two thou- 

 sand years, with such change in structure as time and the 

 habits of the people required. There is here a large excavation 

 sixty or eighty feet square, closed in with stone and roofed 

 over ; its depth I did not measure, but am told that it is twelve 

 or fifteen feet. The water arrives from many sources at the 

 bottom of this reservoir. 



The reservoir was made by the Greeks and repaired some 

 years ago by the Turks. The amount of water furnished is 

 very great, and forms half the water used in turning a mill in 

 the neighborhood. 



The water is allowed to flow from the great reservoir into 

 a large Turkish bath, as well as from different hydrants for 

 the purpose of washing dyed stuffs, etc. 



Physical Properties. — This water is clear and transparent, 

 and when cold it is very agreeable to the taste; no gas escapes 

 from it, nor is there any deposit, even after very long repose. 

 Temperature 119° Fah. Specific gravity 1.00017. 



Chemical Composition. — The solid contents in one litre 0.260 



gramme. One litre of the water contains in grammes 



Carbonic acid, free 118 Soda with a little potash .119 



Carbonic acid, fixed 195 Lime 040 



Sulphuric acid 030 Silica 008 



Chlorine trace 



Combined as follows : 



Bicarbonate of soda 219 Sulphate of lime 029 



Bi-carbonate of lime 078 Chloride of calcium trace 



Sulphate of soda 021 Silica 008 



As is seen by the analysis, this water is remarkably free 

 from solid matter, nor is it supposed by the inhabitants of the 



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