[ 23 . ] 
time. It was auftere, fubacid, and chalybeate to the 
tafte. 
Experiment I. 
On adding five grains of powdered galls to a glafs 
of the water, it Toon became of a muddy blue, 
which in a little time changed to a light purple. 
Several bottles of the water, which had been kept 
upwards of two months, exhibited the fame ap- 
pearances. 
The water, in fome bottles, which had been half 
emptied on purpofe, and corked flightly, ftill pre- 
ferved its property of ftriking a blue and purple with 
galls, though more faint. 
From thefe experiments, the Somerftiam water ap- 
pears manifeftly to have preferved its ferruginous 
quality, notwithstanding the long carriage from the 
Spring to London, and to have loft very little of it 
for a confiderable time after, which renders it a va- 
luable acquifition to the public, as there are very few 
mineral waters, generally known in England, that 
do not lofe their chalybeate properties in a few days, 
and even at a fmall diftance from their fource ; which 
renders the importation of the foreign chalybeate 
waters absolutely necelfary, at a confiderable price. 
Experiment II. 
Two pounds of the SomerSham water were ex- 
pofed to a gradual fire in a glafs retort luted to a re- 
ceiver. 
The 
