The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-31
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
TO rp. EDITOR OF rn4 ssey1s.a.

As every observation, which tends in any
degree, TO enlarge our views of the Natural
History Ola Country. IS not unworthy of atten-
Sson. take the liberty of forwarding to YOU a
lew experiments and observations upon one of
the iS:erai springs OF ahis STATE. know that this
ske'ch forms only small portion Of, those re-
oearhes to which the naturalist devotes himself;
but, we must begin we must consider every
faithiu narrative Of facts as essential to the
structure of that grand temple of Science.
Wh'c'' can be reared only by particular know.
1edse fall those valuable materials, with which
nature may have enriched any portion of the
S)obe."I's various natural productions.
however necessary for the accommodation Of
man whatever sources Of wealth they might
open to industry whatever extension they
might give to the most useful arts or, what
ever b.essngsit's medical waters may be ospable
OF difiusing must be submitted TO philosophi-
cal investigation, before their proffAred advau-
Cages can be enjoyed. Hence, it should form
one among the first objects of newly created
society, to know well the rich gifts with which
nature has favored il, and o what arts native
materials particularly invite it's uti2uns. But,
is to be lamented, though nature has lavish.
ed her 5ounties upon Virginia, not only in fer
fuuy aud variety OF soil, but in minerals, vege
Noles, and the innumerable medicinal waters,
which rise amidst her vast chains of mountains
ehat the study OF her natural history has SD fe w
Votar'es amongus. We cannot, indeed, expect
chat any one should justly appreciate science
81 winch ne IS ignorant but were judicious eff.
tors made to excite taste for natural history
by p, oper institutions, we should not long want
a Humboldt, and Bonpland, who would bring
20 light the riches with which this state n
Bounds, and which require only to be kno wn, in
order 10 De rendered subservient to the most
Nseiul Purposes.
The following analysis, tho wanting that &C.
curacy, which time, and possession of the ne
cSssary re-agents might have afforded, will
serve at least, TO communicate some idea of the
nature and efficacy of the water; and NAV also
excite Others more skilful, anu better prepared,
80 a'emPt a more complete investigation of its
constituent parts.
This Spring is denominated---" Taylor,s
Spring" or, " he Yellow SPRING" 1t rises in
montgomery County, ON the east side of the
AN gany monntan, and about quarter of a
9hile from its summit. The water forms one of
she tributary streams Of the north fork of the
II noke. which is not more than two miles dis
Sant The situation OF the Spring may be read
My raced upon the late map of Virginia, as it
yes between Chrlstiansburg and Backsburg,
0eug nearly six miles from the former, and a.
nout from the latter. The roads which lie nd
10 il from the east, are among the best in the
staiei the climate is exceeded by no other
IN point of saluhrity and, the accommoda-
tions, IN every respect, are comfortable and a.
Xree able.
Line stone prevails generally in this country,
except upon the top of the mountains; and, il
a worthy OF remark that this species of stone
g seldom, II ever, seen upon the summit of
u'sn mountains IN Europe, according to The OBJ
servstIon OF the celebrated Kirwan, in his Geol-
cgy, SO, the same fact appears To occur in A.
xnertca-Ihe earth, near the spring, is strongly
amp. egnated with sulphur. Rain water passing
xbro' a bank OF tins earth, thrown up from ceE
Gr, becomes highly suiphureous.
q, lie temp erature of the springis between 81.
and % OF FareHheit's Thermometer-Ii's tram
In.rency attracts the attention ofevery one.-I,,s
m yh.ta str Conf
nike the fiji st impression of ink upon the tongue
OF, weak solution ofthe sulphat of iron, gem
orally Known by the name oil green vitrioL The
taste ct sulphur, or tue hepatic taste and smell
IS scarcely, II at all psrceptible; and so far
from being unpleasant, tn water is often drank
by healthy, laborous persons in preference to the
fo0mon Limestone water.
In running along wooden channels, the water
heposits a browns yellow sediment. The same
E'nd OF ocreous sediment is seen at the bottom of
g. spring, and particularly, on the sides of the
vesSci Though which 1t rises. A blue sedlme mt
IS 1850 observed on some parts of the same YES.
&c which Is, proDao!y, prussate of iron. See
StAptal, Chap 10 -Concernng iron. Article
fu.
Upon standing 10 or is hours in an open yes
Sci, tine water loses, in great measure, it's pc
cui:ar taste, becomes fiat, and deposits very
small quantity OF brownisn sediment. If used
as soon as it begins to boil, it is preferred in
Cookery; but, If the boiling be continued, il
rendcrs whatever IS mixed with it bitter and
.tjsagreeable.
. ExFER1MRHTs made, principally, at the
ia weight Of the water, tried hydrostati.
y3aliy with pair Of scales, which turned readi-
~ w'f.' si,e 4h of grain, appeared not to differ
iIcn',ns ofthe common limestone water, both
Beng nearly OF the Same temperature.
2 Silver IS not changed in color, by pouring
3he wa,er upoDit, or by a coniinuance for some
tin. in the channel tro' which the water flows
Tb. &c appears to be sulphursied hydrogen
IN TIE water, from this Exp,
3 IN infusion Of tea, or any vegetable sstrin
gepi, strikes brownish purple Colour -:---'i he
Esmf eHec, is produced wien the water has
stood 10 open vessel for "a nours +; and when
6oilea, The color is much deeper.--This Exv
shevs, that the water contains not only the oxyd
= Of iron, bit, that it Is combined with suiphuric
acid aud not the csrbonic.
u uc flowers strike lively green, wiler the
Uater p fresh, wen II has stood SO hours IN an
open vesst, and when il has been boiled The
presence of an ak line substance is hereby ndl.
GATED but, 1t is probable that the green color
ID produced by the lime contained in the water.
especially as the same result takes place m any
81 eng limestone water when the same test is
fpphcd.
;. The water quickly curdled by soap->s-
Set bi tartar turns IL milky. Ley immedia, civ
funs Il milky; large focks formed, and z
CONSIDER able precIpItste ensuss of gteenisn CO.
bur III The results here mentioned take place