48 
[Assembly 
parts pure nitrogen, in the hundred. Prof. Daubeny could not detect 
any carbonic acid in the gaseous matter given out by this spring. 
So large is the quantity of water at the Lebanon Springs, that adyan- 
tage has been taken of it, and of the elevation of the ground not only 
to supply all the baths, but to turn two or three mills erected within a 
short distance j these mills are kept in action during the severity of the 
winter. 
Rensselaer Mitrogen Springs. — Springs evolving nitrogen gas are also 
found in the southeast corner of the town of Hoosick, in Rensselaer 
county, six miles southeast of the village of Bennington, in Vermont. 
Of these, Prof. Eaton gives the following description: "There are 
three springs comprised within about four or five acres of ground. The 
quantity of pure nitrogen gas which issues in the form of bubbles from 
these springs is incalculable. The gas does not seem to be combined 
with the water, but to issue from the gravel beds beneath the water of 
the springs. And we have no good reason for saying that the gas is 
confined to the bed of these springs. It may constantly issue from the 
dry parts of the soil in their immediate vicinity, and become manifest 
only where the water covers the soil, by bubbling through it. By pres- 
sing upon a surface of the gravel, equal to five or six inches square, a 
quart of the gas may be collected in an inverted jar or bottle in ten se- 
conds.'^* 
Chateaugay Springs. — To the above, I can add only the springs of 
Chateaugay, in Franklin county. These springs rise from a white sand, 
and from them there is a flow of water sufficient to turn a mill wheel. 
The water is quite cold, but bubbles of nitrogen gas continually rise 
from the bottom. t It must also hold in solution some calcareous salts, 
as tufa is abundantly formed in the vicinity. 
The origin of nitrogen gas in springs has been referred by some to the 
decomposition of animal matter in the interior of the earth; but a much 
more consistent theory is that which ascribes it to certain processes go- 
ing on in the interior of the earth, which occasion the abstraction of 
oxygen from common air.| 
Acidulous or Carbonated Springs. 
By acidulous, or carbonated waters, I mean those which are charged 
with a considerable proportion of carbonic acid, giving to them a pecu- 
* Geological Survey of Rensselaer county, N. Y. p 29. 
t Professor Emmons' Geological Report for 1837. 
I Prof. Danbeny's Report on Mineral and Thermal Waters, in the Report of the British As- 
gociation for the advancement of Science, for 1836, page 72. 
