1831.] 
Examination of several Hot Springs. 
17 
No. 4. “ From the petrifying rivulet at Mergui.” 
The specific gravity, at the same temperature, was 1000,7. 
Traces of sulphuric acid and lime. 
The low specific gravity of the two last specimens rendered it uninteresting to ex- 
amine them more in detail : indeed, the prevailing salt in all of them seems the same ; 
namely, sulphate of lime ; and they correspond in quality with the water from the 
hot spring on the Athan river, in the Tennasserim province, of which Mr. Piddington 
has given an elaborate analysis. The present specimens had been so long in bottle, 
that it was useless to examine their gaseous contents. I would beg to remark on 
Mr. Piddington’s analysis, that the sulphate of lime being considerably soluble in 
water, the proportion of that salt may probably have been greater, including most 
of what has been set down as sulphate of magnesia : the same remark applies to 
the separation of the carbonate of lime. 
While on the subject of hot springs, I take the opportunity of recording some 
observations made in the year 1827, upon specimens sent to me from other parts of 
India. 
No. 5. From the hot wells in the Mahadeo hills, near Hoshungabad, called by the 
natives of the place “ Unhuuce Sumoncc." The boules were filled ua the spat by 
Doctor Spilsbury, who accompanied them with the following remarks : — 
“ The wells are resorted to by the natives, seemingly rather as places of worship 
than for any medicinal purposes ; although some afflicted with itch and other cu- 
taneous disorders, were observed among the bathers : I could not learn that the 
water of either of the wells was used for drinking. 
The heat of the eastern well is hardly low enough to admit the hand. A lamp 
held over the western well was immediately extinguished, proving a constant dis- 
engagement of carbonic acid gas.’' 
Both of these specimens had a smell of sulphur ; they emitted bubbles of carbonic 
acid when boiled j their specific gravity was very nearly that of rain water ; and the 
salts present (all in minute quantity) were sulphuretted, muriated, and carbonated 
alkalies. 
No. 6. From a hot spring at Sonee, on the banks of the Sutlej, in the 
Himmalaya mountains. 
The temperature, noted by Mr. E. Ravenshaw, was 136°. 
The specific gravity was 1004, 95, at 88°. Far. 
The absence of lime, sulphuric acid, and iron, was proved by their respective 
tests. Nitrate of silver produced a copious precipitate, slightly blackened j and 
acetate of lead, a brown flocculent deposit. 
1000 grs. concentrated, were tested in vain for nitric acid, by sulphuric acid and 
gold leaf. The solution yielded 6 grains of common salt, adulterated with a little 
alkaline sulphuret. Decomposed by nitrate of silver it yielded 14,8 grs. of 
muriate of silver, equivalent to the above 6,0 of muriate of soda. 
No. 7. Water from a well at Banda, supposed, by the natives, to be superior for the 
dying of kurwa cloth, in giving the lac dye a brighter red colour. 
The specific gravity was found to be 1001,1, at 88°. 
One of the bottles had a strong smell of sulphuretted hydrogen, when first open- 
ed : the other had none. 
The proper tests proved the absence of < 
‘Sulphuric acid. 
Lime, (a trace.) 
• Nitric acid. 
1000 grains, evaporated to concentration, deposited an earthy crust, which, with the 
solution itself, effervesced with acetic acid : yielded a slight orange precipitate with 
