14 [Assembly 
4. Sulphuretted hydrogen gas. — This gas is given out by what are 
commonly called sulphur springs, and which are found in almost every 
part of the State. The table appended to my report of last year, con- 
tains an enumeration of sixty-three of these springs. Twelve or fifteen 
have been added since, and the number will no doubt be still further in- 
creased. There are probably not less than a hundred important sulphur 
springs in the State. Many of these are still to be analyzed. 
5. Oxygen gas. — This substance has been thought in some cases to 
be in excess in the gases given out by mineral waters, but if this be so, 
its occurrence is exceedingly rare. I have introduced it chiefly for the 
purpose of directing attention to the subject. 
6. JYitrogen gas. — This is given out by what are termed nitrogen 
springs, to which class belong the celebrated Lebanon Spring, one or 
more in Rensselaer county, and one in Franklin county. Mr. Hall, 
the Geologist of the Fourth District, informs me that he has ascertained 
during the last summer that the Canoga spring, in Seneca county, also 
belongs to this class of springs. Nitrogen gas is here abundantly evolved 
from a pool twenty feet in diameter. 
7. Caihonic acid gas. — This is copiously evolved by springs in va- 
rious parts of the State, and constitutes an important ingredient in those 
of Ballston, Saratoga and Albany. When the water is highly charged 
with this gas, it is usually termed acidulous. But it often exists in 
smaller quantities, and forms what are called petrifying springs, from 
the fact that by an excess of carbonic acid a larger proportion of carbo- 
nate of lime is held in solution, and this carbonate is again deposited, 
when the water comes into contact with the air. 
The notice of these gaseous bodies will therefore bring to view the 
whole subject of the mineral springs of the State, with the exception of 
the brine or salt springs, to be subsequently considered. It is my in- 
tention to trace on a skeleton map the localities of the most important 
of these springs, designating each by a particular character, and to pre- 
pare a complete table of them, arranged under the counties in which 
they are situated 3 — upon the plan of that attached to my last report. 
Combustible Minerals, not gaseous. 
8. Graphite or plumbago. — The localities of this mineral are very nu- 
merous in our State, but it is rarely found in quantities sufficient for any 
useful purpose. A mine, however, has been opened in the granite 
mountains south of Fishkill Landing, in Dutchess county, from which 
