128 
TRAVELS IN 
fediment, unctuous to the feel, taflelefs and colorlefs. The 
water had imbibed a ftrong acid, and had diflblved part of the 
copper kettle in which it was boiled, as appeared by this metal 
being brought down on pieces of poUihed iron. The impreg- 
nated water changed the color of blue paper. The want of 
chemical tefts prevented any farther experiments ; but I 
imagine the fubftances were fulphuric acid in combination with 
clay forming alum, and the fame acid in union with iron, com- 
pofmg green vitriol or copperas, which the mixture of bitu- 
minous or other heterogeneous matter had prevented from 
forming itfelf into regular chryflals. 
The water of the fpring was of the fame temperature as the 
furrounding atmofphere ; but a farmer who was with us afferted 
pofitively that fifteen years ago, when laft he was on the fpot, 
the water was thrown out warm to a confiderable degree. His 
affertion, however, was liable to fome doubt. Periodical hot 
fprings are phenomena in nature not frequently, if ever, met 
with. It is poflible that a portion of unfaturated fulphuric acid 
coming in its difengaged ftate in contadl with the water might 
occafionally raife its temperature. The information of the pea- 
fantry on any fubjed:, and in all countries, fhould be received 
with a degree of caution. Thofe of Africa, I have generally 
obferved, are much difpofed to the marvellous. Before I 
afcended the hill in queftion I was told that the fuffocating 
fmell of fulphur conftantly given out was fcarcely to be fup- 
ported, and that there was always a prodigious fmoke, both of 
which were palpable falfehoods. 
We 
