No. 200.] 
41 
Gas J OR Carburetted Hydrogen, Springs. 
One of the most interesting facts connected with the history of mi- 
neral springs, is, that some of them constantly give out an inflamma- 
ble gas, which on examination proves to be carburetted hydrogen, often 
in a state of great purity, but occasionally mixed with small portions 
of other gaseous bodies. This gas is also sometimes observed to issue 
from clefts in rocks; and the close resemblance of its flame to that of 
coal gas, seems at first sight to warrant the conclusion that it has its 
origin in the decomposition of coal. But this, however, is not in every 
case the true theory of its formation. 
Carburetted hydrogen may be distinguished from sulphuretted hydro- 
gen, the gas which gives character to what are called sulphureous or 
sulphuretted springs, by its not "possessing that offensive odour, and by 
its not producing those changes in metallic solutions which are such 
marked properties of the latter gas. 
Carburetted hydrogen may sometimes be obtained, mixed however 
with minute portions of carbonic acid and nitrogen gases, by agitating 
the bottom of a stagnant pool, especially if it is formed of clay. Its 
production under such circumstances is ussually ascribed to the decom- 
position of vegetable matter. But this explanation is in some cases 
quite unsatisfactory. 
A locality of the kind just noticed occurs in the town of Northeast, 
in the county of Dutchess, where from the bottom of a small lake pro- 
ceeds inflammable gas of considerable purity. In a marsh in Chautau- 
que county, to be presently described, the same gas, containing, how- 
ever, some admixture of carbonic acid, is constantly rising through the 
water. 
Albany Gas Spring. — Inflammable gas is quite abundantly evolved 
through a boring made into the slate in the city of Albany. Here it 
appears to be associated with the carbonated water; sulphuretted hy- 
drogen, also, issues from the same boring, but its source is much above 
that of either of the former. That these gases are not connected with 
each other, and proceed from different strata, is proved by the fact, 
that upon sinking down a tube, the mineral water is obtained unconta- 
minated with either of these substances. 
The gas which issues from the Albany spring burns with a white 
flame, tinged with red, and at length, when the flow of gas is tempo- 
rarily impeded, the flame is of a blue colour, owing probably to the 
I Asscm. No. 200 | 6 
