24 
PI I STORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
smaller size. We found also some varieties of fossils in 
the mass. One fragment of stone contained the impression 
of a serpent: the part of the body which lay uppermost 
seemed to have been crushed, as the lower part only was 
distinctly marked. 
44 When a thermometer was immersed in the adjacent 
stream, it stood at 66°; when in the spring, it stood at 80°. 
The specific gravity of the water rather exceeded that of 
common water, being in the proportion of 1000 to 1004. 
When a little water was added to it, a white precipitate 
was immediately formed: the same effect was produced 
when nitrate of barytes was added. When nitrate of silver 
was added, a white precipitate was produced, which first 
turned brownish, and soon afterwards assumed a black 
appearance. The water decomposed soap. 
44 At a place about seven miles distant, near the western 
extremity of a succession of volcanic hills, six or eight 
miles in extent, there is a spring rising among a mass of 
volcanic rocks, in which the thermometer rose to 138°. The 
water, however, did not seem to possess any strongly- 
marked saline or other properties. 
44 About seven miles to the east of the region in which 
the last spring was seen, we came to a well which was 
described to us as possessing the following marvellous 
properties:—In appearance, it was said always to resemble 
boiling water, while it was at the same time perfectly cold; 
and if any one attempted to bathe, it was said he would 
faint on going into the water. On reaching the well, it 
presented the appearance of a large cauldron beginning to 
boil; and we had no doubt but that the latter part of the 
report was correct, as the surface of the water was about 
three feet below the ground at the edge of the well, instead 
of flowing over its side. The water seemed to find an 
