284 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



these occur, in predominant proportions, hydrosilicates of copper, 

 malachite, green carbonate of copper, and other minerals containing 

 this metal in the condition of an oxide. 



2. — Sulplmriferous Strata in the Roman States. 



Sulphur is found in a calcareous marl (Upper Cretaceous) in the 

 environs of Rimini and Cerena. The thickness of the most produc- 

 tive beds varies from about four to thirty-one feet. During 1857, 

 680 workmen produced above 10,000 cwts. of smelted sulphur. 

 These mines are the property of a company of shareholders, having a 

 capital of 220,000 scudi. A considerable proportion is sent, in the form 

 of powder, to the Levant, where it is used to preserve vines against 

 the ravages of the Oidium. 



3. — Mineral Springs of Goritzia and Istria. 



The Montefalcone spring is situated about 2,000 paces from the 

 sea-coast, in a natural basin, seven feet deep, tw^enty-eight feet long, 

 and as broad ; of nearly regular square form, and excavated in 

 cretaceous limestone. The basin is without an outlet. The water- 

 level rises and falls with the sea-tides, and is spontaneously restored 

 when lowered by exhaustion. The temperature is 37° or 38° cent.; the 

 taste is similar to that of sea-water ; the smell slightly sulphuretted 

 (like that of the surrounding limestone when freshly fractured), but 

 transient. The surrounding swamps contain fresh water. 



This mineral water contains, in 10,000 parts, 133,71 parts of solid 

 substances, among which chloruret of natrium (96.06), chloruret of 

 magnesium (15.32), bicarbonate of lime (1.83), sulphates of potash, 

 natron, and lime (2.44, 6.51, and 8.76), are predominant. 



The sulphurous spring of San Stefano lies about twenty English 

 miles from the sea, and nearly twenty feet above the sea-level. Its 

 quantity is very considerable. Temperature 36.5° to 37.5° cent, (tempera- 

 ture of the surrounding air 22° to 26° cent.). Taste, lixiviously insipid. 

 Proportion of fixed substances very considerable. The strong hydro- 

 sulphurous smell, the thick white deposit, and the instantaneous deep 

 blackening of silver coins thrown into the water, denote a considerable 

 proportion of sulphur contained in it. There may exist a connexion 

 between this spring and the alum-shales of Sovigniaco, not far 

 distant. 



