PYRMONT WATER. 259 
cultivated mountains, many of which are covered with 
wood, and others with heath or morasses. In its neigh- 
bourhood there are no fewer than sixteen mineral 
springs, five of which are more celebrated than the 
others. The most copious and most frequented of the 
whole is the Pouhon spring, in the market-place of 
Spa. This is a large, slow, and deep spring, the de- 
scent to which is by several steps. In cold dry weather 
the water, when first taken up, appears colourless and 
perfectly transparent : it scarcely sparkles, but it soon 
covers the inside of the glass with small air-bubbles, 
which it also emits very copiously when shaken. During 
moist weather the surface of the well appears somewhat 
turbid : and, on the approach of rain, a whistling or 
humming noise is heard, which is called by the country 
people the music of the spring. 
If this water be bottled, and then set in a warm place, 
it will generally force out the cork, with a loud explo- 
sive noise. In preserving it for exportation, it is con- 
sequently necessary to wire the corks firmly down. In 
this state, if well cemented, it may be kept perfectly 
good for more than two years. 
It is somewhat remarkable, respecting this water, that 
if it be taken in a full draught, particularly in hot 
weather, or upon an empty stomach, it produces a 
swimming in the head, and a degree of intoxication, 
which frequently continues for half an hour or upwards, 
and is very similar to that which arises from the drink- 
ing of spiriiuous liquor, but it does not leave the same 
debility. 
295. PYRMONT WATER is a highly carbonated chaly- 
beate. When recently taken from the spring, it is clear and 
pellucid, and sends fbith a copious stream of bubbles for a con- 
siderable time. In this respect it far exceeds any of the mineral 
waters with which ice are acquainted. Its taste is pleasant, 
being strongly acidulated, and having a pungency not unlike 
that of brisk Champagne wine; but it is at the same time 
strongly chalybeate, and a little bitterish. 
