62 
[Assembly 
removal of the pressure, it assumes the gaseous state, and is thus disen- 
gaged. 
It is very C';;ncult to estimate with accuracy the proportion of carbo- 
nic acid which these waters contain, as they are continually pervaded 
by gas, which apparently has no action upon its constituents. Perhaps 
the best guide in this part of the investigation is to determine the amount 
of gas necessary to hold the solid carbonates in solution, as they un- 
doubtedly exist in the state of bicarbonates. The following tables will 
exhibit the composition of one of the Ballston waters; 
United States Spring. 
Specific gravity, 1.00611. Temperature, 50° F. One pint of the 
water contains, 
Carbonate of lime, with a 
small admixture of 
grains. 
Carbonate of magnesia, , 
u 
a 
a 
a 
u 
60.82 
u 
Carbonic acid 30.50 cubic inches. 
Low^s loellj recently restored, has a composition similar to the preced- 
ing, but the amount of saline matter is much less. Its specific gravity 
is 1 .02548, temperature 50° F. Park Spring, situated in rear of the 
Village Hotel, has ^Iso the same constituents, but the iron is in much 
larger proportions than in any of the waters in this vicinity. 
JJlbany Mineral Spiking. — A spring similar to those of Saratoga and 
Eallston, was discovered in the city of Albany in 1827. Messrs. Boyd 
and McCuUoch, the proprietors of a brew^ery in Ferry-street, in the 
hope of obtaining pure water on the premises in sufficient quantity for 
the supply of their establishment, commenced boring upon the plan of 
Mr. Disbrow, during the year 1826. After descending to the depth 
of about four hundred and eighty feet, the water which rose nearly to 
the surface, was found to have a saline taste and a sparkling appearance. 
At the request of the proprietors, I analyzed a portion of this water, 
and found its composition to be as stated below. There was also ob- 
served rising through the water an inflammable gas, which was found to 
* This water probably contains both iodine and bromine, but the quanty upon which I ope- 
rated waa too small to admit of separating them and determiiiiDg their relative proportioris. 
