60 THE THERMAL SPRINGS OF SELANGOR AND MALACCA. 



Ultimate Origin of the Springs. 



The geology of the springs is a subject of great interest, 

 but unfortunately one not to be approached or settled in an 

 easy, off-hand mariner. Much patient study of actual sec- 

 tions in the immediate vicinity of the springs, examination of 

 deeper strata by boring, in short a complete geological survey 

 alone, can throw light upon this question. One is accustomed 

 to associate hot springs with volcanic action, yet these springs 

 occur in parts far distant from any known volcanic belt. 



No basalt and no minerals indicative of direct volcanic 

 action are to be found in the neighbourhood. The composi- 

 tion of the water is, in some respects, similar to the water 

 ejected by the geysers of Iceland, but here the analogy ends. 

 Beyond conjectures pure and simple, I can at present pro- 

 nounce no opinion as to the final source of these springs, viz., 

 the question of direct volcanic action or simple intra-terrestial 

 heat. I sincerely hope, however, to have an opportunity to 

 follow up this subject later on. 



In conclusion, I wish to refer to a paper by Mons. STANISLAS 

 MEUNIER published in J. ex, p. 1085 of the Compt. Rend. 

 ' Examen chimique d'eaux minerales provenant de Malaire. 

 Mineral, d'etain de formation actuelle.' The paper describes 

 the analysis of two bottles of water brought by Mons. J. 

 ERRINGTON de LA CROIX from Ayer Panas and Cheras, 

 and contains the following statements among others : — 

 1. — The water had a bad smell on opening bottle. 

 2. — On heating it gave off gas bubbles. 



3. — On evaporation it left a syrupy residue which was 

 incinerated and gave two milligrams of ash per 100 cc. 

 water taken. 

 4. — Exposed to the air for a few hours the water fills itself 

 with white, viscous vegetations not botanically deter- 

 mined. 

 5. — The Ayer Panas water had no taste ; the Cheras water 

 no smell, but a slightly saline taste, and on heating gave 

 off myriads of gas, probably pure Nitrogen amounting 

 to 10 cc. per litre. 



