of Stone Medallions hy the Waters (^the Spririg. S98 
there is a third on the top of the hill^ which has formed for it- 
self a small pond. It is as warm as the others, and is suppos- 
ed to communicate with them. 
When the water of these springs first issues from the earth, ^ 
it is limpid and transparent, but soon assumes a yellowish pearly 
hue, has a strong hydrosulphurous smell, and abundant vapours 
arise from it. According to Professor Santi, it yields much 
carbonic acid gas, when submitted to heat, and contains sul- 
phate and carbonate of lime. Sulphate of magnesia and 
sulphur are also to be found in the depositions, which are ra- 
pidly and abundantly formed by the cooling of the liquid. Not- 
■withstanding the high temperature of these springs, confervce 
grow in their currents ; they have a dark green colour, are of a 
gelatinous texture, and sometimes covered with a light whitish 
earthy crust, and with numerous vesicles containing air. When 
dried, they take on a bluish tint, and afterwards, by exposure 
to air, become colourless. 
Towards the bottom of the north side of the hill, npar to the 
torrent, is a fourth small spring, named Acqua Santa, the water 
of which differs materially in quality from those above men- 
tioned. It is transparent, and afibrds no deposit ; its tempera- 
ture is low, and the taste like that of diluted sulphuric acid. 
The soil around these hot springs is formed of matter de- 
posited by them : it is more or less white or grey, and more or 
less hard and porous. Its surface, in some parts presents 
traces of channels, formed by small currents of water, which no 
longer exist. In other parts, particularly near the second 
spring, there are deep fissures in the surface, the consequence 
of an earthquake. One of these fissures is 30 feet deep, and 
from 150 to 200 feet long. Its shape is irregular ; its sides 
perpendicular; in some places it is many feet wide, and in 
others so narrow, as to be easily jumped over. The water in it 
hks a whitish colour, is in a state of ebullition, (whence the 
name of II Bollore, by which it is designated), and copious va- 
pours of steam and sulphur arise from it. Other cracks have 
given rise to large cavities, in which the sublimated sulphur is 
deposited in a crystalline form, in the same manner as in the 
Solfaterra near Naples. The separation of the sulphur was for- 
merly a branch of industry, which has lately been abandoned. 
3 
