No. 200.J 47 
The above facts afford the most convincing proofs that the evolution 
of this gas is no evidence of the existence of coal at any moderate 
depths below the surface; unless, indeed, the views which are at pre- 
sent entertained concerning the geological situation of this mineral are 
entirely erroneous. And although carburetted hydrogen frequently has 
its origin in beds of bituminous coal, the facts "which have just been de- 
tailed, tend to show that its occurrence does not necessarily depend up- 
on such an agency. 
Nitrogen Springs. 
Springs evolving nitrogen gas are by no means common in the State 
of New-York. A few, however, occur which possess considerable in- 
terest in consequence of the quantity of that gas, which they give out. 
There are, moreover, some springs to be noticed, under another head, 
among the gaseous constituents of which is an air that contains a larger 
proportion of nitrogen than is present in the atmosphere. 
Lebanon Springs. — The most remarkable nitrogen spring in the State, 
is the one at Lebanon, in the county of Columbia. This spring is 
about ten feet in diameter and four feet deep, and discharges a large 
amount of water. Its temperature is uniformly 73° F., while that of 
all the other springs in the vicinity is 52°. The water is quite taste- 
less. Its specific gravity is scarcely above that of distilled water, as it 
holds only a minute portion of saline matter in solution. The follow- 
ing is the composition, according to the analysis of Dr. Meade, of a 
a pint of the water. 
Chloride of calcium, 0.25 grains. 
Chloride of sodium, 0.44 " 
Carbonate of lime, 0.19 " 
Sulphate of lime, 0.37 " 
1.25 
Bubbles of air, continually rise through the crevices of the rock at 
the bottom of this spring, which ascending rapidly through the water 
occasion an incessant agitation, and appear to break on the surface 
without being at all absorbed by the water. This air is given out in 
the proportion of about five cubic inches from a pint of the water, 
and it consists, according to the experiments of Prof. Daubeny, of Ox- 
ford, now on a visit to this country, who kindly furnished me the re- 
sults, of 89.4 parts of nitrogen, and 10.6 parts of oxygen, in the 
hundred. This is equal to nearly fifty parts atmospheric air, and fifty 
