THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
3 b(j 
glass more than common water, nor did it turn a delicate 
vegetable colour red ; and upon filling a large case bottle with 
the water, and tying an empty wet bladder to the mouth of 
it, it was found, after shaking a long time, that no air was 
disengaged. 
O O 
It would therefore appear that the water is not impreg- 
nated with any air ; but that the bubbles are merely com- 
mon air disengaged from the water by the heat. As the air, 
however, might be collected with a proper apparatus, its 
quality may be easily ascertained. 
The water has nothing peculiar in its colour, smell, or 
taste. It is not crude or hard, for it dissolves soap readily 
and perfectly. 
It contains no sulphureous principle ; for a piece of polished 
silver, when immersed in it, contracted no rust nor dark 
colour. 
It contains no acid . nor alkali in a disengaged state ; for 
upon mixing a delicate vegetable colour with it, no change 
to a green or red colour was perceptible. 
The water does not contain any selenite, or earthy or al- 
kaline matter combined with vitriolic acid ; for upon adding 
a solution of mercury in nitrous acid to it, no sediment was 
deposited. Nor does it contain any earthy matter in com- 
bination with marine acid, nor any copper, nor zinc, for 
upon mixing mineral and volatile alkalis with the water, no 
precipitate was formed. 
On mixture with a decoction of galls, the water acquired 
6 
