ARTESIAN WATER IN N. S. WALES AND QUEENSLAND. © 437 
Mr. W. M. Hamtet, said, that the theory set forth by Mr. 
Gipps, that one of the causes of the flow of water from artesian 
bores was caused by large quantities of carbon di-oxide in the 
earth is not borne out by facts here in Australia, since most of the 
artesian waters examined contain little or no carbon di-oxide to 
speak of, hence the pressure at the outflow has to be accounted 
for in some other way. 
Mr. W. A. Dixon said, that before beginning to build castles 
in the air as to the great results likely to be obtained from irriga- 
tion with artesian water, it is necessary to be sure of its source. 
In some cases water may arise from a porous stratum which forms 
merely an underground reservoir. One case of such a condition 
came under his notice in connection with the sinking of coalpits 
near Hamilton in Scotland, when at a depth of about sixty fathoms 
a water-bearing rock was cut in four shafts almost at the same 
time. The water rose high in the shafts and was simply pumped 
out at the rate of about twenty thousand gallons per minute from 
the four together, working night and day for nine months, and 
now the pits are quite dry. Another point in connection with 
the use of water for irrigation is that it is necessary to be sure of 
efficient drainage which is not to be relied on with certainty every 
where. All the salts held in solution in water, (and these may 
amount to over one hundred grains per. gallon in fresh water) 
would gradually accumulate in the soil and render it absolutely 
sterile as has been the case in some places in India. This effect 
might not be noticed or act injuriously for ten, twenty, or fifty 
years, but under the conditions stated it is sure to come sooner or 
later according to the quantity of matter held in solution. As to 
the rise of the water being caused by pressure of carbonic acid, it 
is impossible that gas could be generated by the action of gypsum 
on dolomite or limestone as suggested by Mr. Gipps, as these 
substances have no action on one another. 
Prof. LiversipGE stated, that, from what he had seen of the 
action of siliceous springs and geysers, he must oppose Mr. Gipps’ 
explanation that the artesian waters of Australia had been covered 
