OBSERVATIONS On the Mineral WATERS OF FRANCE, Made in the ROYAL ACADEMY Of the SCIENCES,  
By the Sieur DU CLOS, Physician in Ordinary to His Most Christian Majesty.  
Now made English.  
VERITAS IN PUTEO.  
LONDON, Printed for Henry Faithorne, and John Kersey at the Rose in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1684.   

THis Treatise being the Product of that Ingenious Assembly, the French Royal Academy of the Sciences; and Curious both in Subject and Method, has been thought not unworthy to speak the English Tongue.  
It may be hoped, that Our Nation, which is so good Natured, as to imitate, sometimes even the Follies of those our Neighbours, may hence be excited by a Generous Emulation, to a like, if not greater Performance in this kind.  
Some may object, what is Here done, arrives not to the Exactness of Certain Knowledge; which though granted, hinders not, but such a numerous Collection of faithful Experiments may find a favourable acceptance.  
The Subject Matter lies Dark and Deep, in the very Bowels of our Mother Earth; and the Great Chain of Causes and Effects is perfectly known, only to that Alwise Being, whereon it depends.   

OBSERVATIONS On the Mineral WATERS OF FRANCE, Made in the Royal ACADEMY Of the SCIENCES.  
THe Use of Mineral Waters having deservedly obtained a great Esteem and Reputation for the Cure of many Chronical and Rebellious Diseases; some Physicians have applied themselves to search out, by Experiment, their Nature and Principles; thereby to judge how far they are proper for certain Diseases, and the particular Constitution of the Diseased: While others have been contented to refer themselves to common Opinions founded on the Observations of some Effects.  
This Matter being subordinate to Physical Speculation, the Royal Academy of the Sciences have determined to employ themselves in the Enquiry of the Qualities of those in this Kingdom, which are most considerable. And till favourable occasion may offer to make Observations at their Springs, they have caused these Waters to be brought from several Provinces, with much care, to examine them in the usual Assemblies of the Naturalists of this Academy.  
The Resolution to proceed herein has not been taken without much consideration; the Reasons from the advantage of these Waters for the restoring Health in many Diseases, being counterbalanced by those of the Difficulty in knowing the Causes of their Proprieties, which depend particularly upon the Mixtures of certain Substances which meet together in their Passages in the Earth, or in the Cavities and Interstices of Rocks, which are various and many, as Vapours, Juices, Salts, Earth's, etc.  
The greatest part of these substances, wherewith Mineral Waters are impregnated cannot be discerned; and the different Mixture which is made of several together, may constitute so great a Number of Kind's of Mineral Waters, wholesome or unwholesome, that it is impossible to give any knowledge or determination of them all. The Waters of the same Springs may, at divers times, receive considerable Alterations, either by new Mixtures, or by the Cessation of those which have been formerly made.  
It is not probable that these Waters, called Mineral, should be produced alone by Mineral Vapours condensed, or that there is in the Earth Mines sufficiently abounding to furnish continually Vapours capable, being condensed, to maintain a perpetual Course of these Waters in Springs which dry not. But it may be that some Mineral Vapours or Exhalations do mix with common Waters, which traverse the Earth's where they meet and are condensed, and that these Waters are impregnated with their Qualities, and of some other Volatile Salts not Concrete, elevated in these dry Exhalations or humid Vapours. The distinguishing the Qualities of these Exhalations and Vapours is not easy; the Diversity of their Principles is very great; the Rencounter of their Mixtures is casual; the Conditions of the Places thro' which they pass, and wherein they are retained, are not evident; and the Alterations which they produce in the Waters wherein they insinuate themselves, are not always very manifest.  
There is no less difficulty to know and distinguish the Juices which are mixed with Mineral Waters, and particularly those which receive nothing of Concretion, and which communicate to these Waters no sensible Quality; for these liquid Juices, and wholly Volatile, pass in distillation with the substance of the Water, and are no otherwise manifest than by Effects which simple Water cannot produce.  
The Juices, which are called Concrete, because they are Condensable and Resoluble, leave Sediments which render them visible and palpable after the Distillation or Evaporation of the Water wherewith they are mixed. But it is difficult to discern their Kind's and Proprieties, if they have no resemblance to those which are already known, or if they are many conjoined.  
The Salts and Earth's are the most sensible and most common substances which mix with the Waters of Springs and Wells. There is almost no sort of Earth which participates not of some Salt dissoluble in the Waters which pass thro' it; and the Current of these Waters carries away always some fine Earth. This is found the most manifest in these Waters: But the knowledge of these Salts and Earth's mixed in these Waters, is not always so distinct as to determine their Species, and make a certain judgement of their Properties.  
There are few Concrete Salts known to us: There may be many which have no resemblance with Common Salt, Nitre, Alum or Vitriol, which are the four most common Genders of Concrete Mineral Salts. Those whose disposition towards Concretion is not yet completed, and which are yet in Embryo or their first Seminal Being, are less distinguishable in that State: And those which are more form, and either already Concrete, or capable of Concretion, by some called Enix, that is to say, born and come forth out of their Matrices, have not substances Simple and Homogeneous in each kind.  
The Salt which goeth under the Name of Common Salt, contains two different Parts mixed together; whereof one is Condensed and Chrystallized, thro' Cold in a Humid, after Evaporation of one part of the Water, wherein this Salt hath been dissolved; the other is not Chrystallized or Condensed, but by a total Evaporation of the remaining Water. The former Part is most Sulphurous, and by its Sulphureity mixeth with the Sulphurous Salt of Tartar Calcined and Dissolved by the Moisture of the Air, or in common Water, without trouble and without Coagulation: But the other Part containeth an Acidity which Coagulates in an instant the dissolved Salt of Tartar, and all other fixed Salts, Sulphurous and Nitrous.  
Vitriol, which shooteth forth by the Humid Air on Sulphurous Marchasites, hath likewise a Succulent part, Condensable only by a total Evaporation of its Aqueous Humidity, of a taste very Acrimonious, of a consistence Unctuous and easily dissoluble by a humid Air, which Part is much different from that which first is Condensed and Chrystallized thro' Cold in Water wherein this Vitriol hath been dissolved. These Crystals are Pure Acid-Austere Vitriol, whence there is precipitated much Mineral Earth by the mixture of Sulphurous and Nitrous Salts, with which the other Part can mix without trouble, having not, as the first, this Acidity whereon the Sulphurous Salts may act. The contrary whereof happens to Common Salt, whereof the first Part is the most Sulphurous, and the second most Acid.  
The true Nitres are likewise composed of two different Saline Parts; the one more Sulphurous, which is Chrystallized thro' Cold in a Humid; the other, which remains dissolved after this Chrystallization, and which is not condensed but by a Heat strong enough to drive away all the Dissolvent Humid, is less Sulphurous, and hath a certain Acidity which the other hath not.  
The first Being's or Embryo's of Mineral Salts are nothing else but Vapours, or Juices Unconcrete, wholly Vapourable, whereof some may be Condensed, and in part fixed by the force of Fire; or be disengaged from their Matrices, and rendered capable of Concretion by the means of the Air; which is observed in certain Nitrous, Aluminous and Vitriolic Salts. The Sulphurous Salt which is found in the Calx of certain hard stones burnt in the Fire, and which is a kind of true Nitre, had its Seminary in these stones Crude; and in this state of its first Being is much different from what it acquires by the Fire, which from being Cold and Coagulative rendereth it Caustic and Resolutive. The Cold and Coagulative Quality of this stony Salt in its first Being is manifest enough in the Water of the Springs of some Rocks, which are very Clear and Cold, and which produce Gouts and Cold Scirrhous tumors in those who ordinarily drink of them. This Seminary of stony Salt is rendered Nitrous, Sulphurous, Caustic and Resolutive by the Fire, which is able to exalt it, but not to produce it in the Calcination of these Stones, no more than in burnt Oyster-shells, whereof is also made a Calx, which hath no less of a Sulphurous Salt. This Embryonate Salt in the Chalk-stones is a stony Juice, which mixeth itself with Waters which pass between the Beds and Interstices of these Stones in the Rocks, but is not easily discerned in the Waters impregnated therewith.  
The Seminary of Alum and Vitriol is also necessarily in the substances whence these sorts of Salts are drawn▪ by the means of Water, after their Calcination in the Fire, and Maceration in the open Air. The Fire and the Air which are able to exalt them, cannot produce them. The Seminary of Alum in the Aluminous Stones, and that of Vitriol in Sulphurous Marchasites, are not in this state manifest to our senses; and oftentimes they are not known in Mineral Waters but by some Effects, and that without certainty, because these Effects may be Equivocal.  
All these Diversities of Mineral Salts, Embryonate, Enix, Crystalline, Succulent, Sulphurous, not Sulphurous, of the first and of the second Concretion; those also of their Genders, Species, Mixtures, Proportions, Alterations, etc. render the Judgement of the Proprieties of Waters partaking of them very difficult and uncertain.  
The fine Earth's which also are mixed in Mineral Waters may be of several Kind's difficult to be distinguished: they being of divers Colours; White, Grey, Yellowish, Ruddy, Brown, etc. and also of different Qualities. Some are dissoluble in distilled Vinaigre, others indissoluble; some may be melted, others not, by Fire; wherein also they receive divers Colours: Some resemble Marle, others Clay, others Chalk, others Bowl, some Sand, others Talk, and others Calx; some are produced by the Concretion of certain Juices Saline or Sulphurous, others not; some simply Mineral, others Metallic. The most part of these Species being difficultly distinguished when single, are much more when mixed.  
The simple Infusions of certain Mineral-Sulphurous Earth's may remarkably alter the Waters of Wells and Springs, notwithstanding there may remain no Sediment from these Earth's after Distillation, as happens in Liquors rendered Emetic by the simple infusion of Antimony.  
The Hot Mineral Waters may contract some alteration by Sulphurous and Bituminous substances meeting in their Course; for these substances participate of certain subtle Salts, which these Waters may dissolve and carry with them.  
Some Mineral Waters, Cold or Tepid, have a Taste somewhat Aigre, or Vinous, which is not observed in any of those which are remarkably Hot; but this Taste is so easily lost by the least Heat, and even by the Air, that it is difficult to know what produceth it. This is found not only in Waters esteemed Aluminous and Vitriolic, but also in those which are manifestly Nitrous, and which abound in a Sulphurous Salt opposite to Acids.  
The Causes of the Heat of certain Mineral Waters are little known. There is reason to doubt whether there be Subterraneous Fires capable of heating them, or whether they receive this Heat from the Exhalations of certain Mineral Juices Fermentable, or wherein there is caused an Effervescence by the mixture of other Juices.  
All these Difficulties have hindered, these four years, the advantage which the Public might have received from the Communication of what the Naturalists of the Academy have been able to observe on Waters which have been sent them from several Provinces; and which they have examined according to the opportunities which they have had.  
The Method which has been taken in this Enquiry was to observe,  
1. From what Place they came.  
2. In what Time and Disposition of the Air they were taken from their Springs.  
3. How long they had been put up in Bottles to be sent away.  
4. Whether they were preserved in Bottles that were clean and well stopped.  
5. Whether they had made any Sediment in the Bottles, and of what sort.  
6. Whether they were clear or muddy.  
7. Whether they had any manifest Scent or Taste.  
8. Whether their Weight differed remarkably from that of simple and Common Waters.  
9 Whether they took any Tincture or Colour by certain Powders, as of Galls, of Oak-leaves, Pomegranate-Bark, of Myrobalans, etc.  
10. Whether having been exposed to the Air, or a little warmed, they would no more receive the Tincture or Colour.  
11. Whether being put to Distillation by an Alembic in Balneo Mariae, there rose and distilled first of all some Liquor more subtle than the rest; and whether there were found any difference between the several parts of the same distilled Water taken apart.  
12. Whether in Evaporating or Distilling these Waters by a gentle Heat, there were formed any Films on the surface of the Water; or whether there were made some Earthy Concretions swimming in the Water in Flakes, or adhering to the sides of the Vessels, or settling to the bottom; and of what sort.  
13. Whether after Distillation, or Evaporation, almost total, of these Waters, there was made, in the remaining Liquor set in a cold place, any Concretion Saline, Fibrous, Granous, Leafy, or otherwise figured.  
14. Whether the Water being totally Evaporated, or Distilled off to a dryness, left a Sediment, how much, and of what sort.  
15. Whether the Earthy Sediments contained any Portion of Salt, or not.  
16. To what sort of Salts commonly known, the Salts of these Waters might be referred.  
17. Whether they caused Mercury sublimate dissolved in common Water to precipitate in a Red, 
‡ Nacarate.  deep Crimson, or Yellow colour; and whether also they caused the Sulphurous Earth of common Vitriol to precipitate, as do the true Nitre of the Ancients, the Natron of Egypt, and fossil Borax, and also the Alcalisate or fixed Sulphurous Salts of Plants.  
18. Whether they changed into Green the Colour of Syrup of Violets, and whether they restored the Blue colour of Tournesole made Red by some Aluminous, Vitriolic or other Acid; as the true Nitres do.  
19 Whether they made Tournesole to become Red, as do Alum and Vitriol.  
20. Whether they caused the Liquor of the fixed Salt of Tartar dissolved, to thicken and coagulate quickly; as doth the Succulent and second Part of Common Salt, which is not Condensed but by a Total Evaporation of the Water wherein the Salt hath been dissolved.  
21. Whether they made any change in the Water of the Dissolutions of Mercury Sublimate and Vitriol, or on the colours of Tournesole and Syrup of Violets, or on the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved, any more than Salt-Petre doth, and the first Part of Common Salt which thro' Cold Chrystallizes in a Humid.  
22. Whether the Earthy Sediments of these Waters, after the Separation of their Salts, were wholly, or in part, Dissoluble in Vinaigre distilled, and with a certain Effervescence, as do some sort of Chalks, and also the White Earth of the Coagulum of Nitrous and Alkali-Salts, produced by the Mixture of the second part of Common Salt.  
23. Whether these Earthy Sediments, freed from their Salts, being put in the Fire, and strongly burnt in Crucibles, were fixed; whether they changed Colour, were Vitrified or Calcined; or by the means of Reductive Salts there might be drawn forth somewhat Metallic, or not.  
24. Whether, if their Salts being purified, after having been melted by the Fire in Crucibles of good Vitrified Earth, they took any Colours extraordinary.  
These Methods of examining Mineral Waters brought to the Academy, seemed very reasonable to give some knowledge of the Properties of them; and even much greater than those who have hitherto writ on that Subject have ever had; who for the most part have grounded their judgement only upon their Effects, which may be referred to divers Causes.  
According to this Enquiry made upon a great number of Waters from different Springs, as well Hot as Cold, they have observed particularly Salts and Earth's of divers Qualities, and different Quantities.  
The Salts which have been Condensed after Distillation, or slow Evaporation, of the Waters which have b●en brought to the Academy, may be reduced to two Kind's; the one, to the Nitre of the Ancients, which is a Sulphurous-Mineral Salt, like to the Alkali of Plants; the other to Common Salt considered in one or other of its different parts, or according to the mixture of both together. There hath not appeared in any of these Waters either Alum or true Viitriol.  
The Waters, as well Hot as Tepid▪ wherein a Nitrous Salt was found, at those of Bourbon l' Archambault, Ner●● Esvahon, Mont d' Or, Chaudesaigue● Vichy, Vic le Comte, Martres de Veyr● and Sail lez Chasteau Morand.  
Cold Waters, wherein the true N●tre hath been observed, are those o● Pougues, S. Mion, Pont-Gibault, S. Fl●ret, Petit Jaude, Jaude au Champ de Pavures, Beaurepaire, Josse, Vic 〈◊〉 Carladois, S. Alban, Andabre, Camarets, and Prugniez.  
The Hot Waters, whose Salt hath resemblance with Common Salt, considered in Conjunction of its two different Parts, are those of Bourbon Lancy, lafoy Bourboule, Barbazan, Encausse, Balleruc, Bagniéres, and Baréges.  
The Cold Waters, which also have the like Common Salt, are those of Capvert, and some others which have but a little, as those of Bess, Pons en Saintonge, la Rocheposay, Vaujour, Chasteau-Gontier, Premeau, and Provins.  
Likewise the Waters, Cold in their Springs, whose Salt may be referred to that Part of Common Salt, which is Chrystallized thro' Cold in a Humid, are those of la Trauliere, S. Pierre de Clermont, and some few others.  
But those, whose Salt seems to be like that part of Common Salt, which is condensed only by a total Evaporation of the Water wherein the Salt hath been dissolved, are in greater number, and more considerable, as those of S. Rein, Chastelguyon, Availles, Digne, etc.  
All these Observations of the Diversity of Salts which have been found in these Waters, are General. The two Genders of Salts, Nitrous and Common, whereunto those of these Waters are referred, do each comprehend several Species, whose Specific Differences are not easily comprehended; and the mixtures of these several Species together are still in a greater number, and less known.  
The Differences observed between the Nitrous Salts of these Waters, by melting them by Fire in small Crucibles, have been these.  
Some have become Blue, as doth the Salt of Tartar; such were those of Martres de Veyre, Josse, and Sail lez Chasteau Morand.  
Others took a Green Colour, as doth Salt-Petre Alcalized by Coal; so did those of the Waters of Neris and Esvahon.  
Others became Yellow, as that of the Water of Vichy.  
Others became Ruddy, as those of the Waters of Chaudesaigues, Mont d' Or, and S. Floret.  
Others became Tawny, as those of the Waters of Bourbon l' Archambaut, Andabre, and Prugniez.  
Others became Red, as those of the Waters of Pougues, Jaude, Beaurepaire, and S. Alban.  
Others became only Greyish, as those of the Waters of Vic le Comte and S. Mion.  
Others changed not their Colour, as that of the Waters of Vic en Carladois.  
As to the Differences observed between the Salts which may be referred to the Gender of Common Salt, beside those of the two different Saline substances before mentioned, whereof the one is Chrystallized thro' Cold in a Humid, and which troubleth not the Water of the Dissolution of Salt of Tartar; and the other, which is not condensed but by a total Evaporation of the Water wherein this Salt is dissolved, and which in an instant coagulates the Dissolution of the Salt of Tartar, and of true Nitre; there have been remarked few other Particular differences.  
Those of the Waters of divers Springs of Bagniéres being melted by Fire in the Crucibles, exhaled forth Vapours which rendered the Flame of the Coals Blew; and afterwards these Salts being cooled became of a clear Lacque-Colour.  
That of the Water of Balleruc was difficult to melt, and became Greyish: That of the Water of Availles crackled in the Fire, as doth Sal-Marine.  
That of the Water of S. Rein had a certain subtle Acrimony, as that of Sal Armoniac. Others had nothing Particular which was manifest.  
There was not had much regard to the Observations of the Forms and Figures of each of these Salts, as well Nitrous as Common, in their Condensation; because these did vary in the same Salts, according to the manner and degree of the Evaporation of the Water wherein they were dissolved in order to be purified.  
The Quantity of Salt, as well Nitrous as Common, wherewith each of these Mineral Waters are Impregnated, cannot always be precisely determined; it being not always equal in the Waters of the same Springs, according to the Constitutions of the Air, wet or dry, and other Accidents. 'Tis sufficient to remark only the Differences of much, little, or middle Quantity.  
The waters which have been observed to have a remarkable and great Quantity of a Salt like to true Nitre, are those of Bourbon l' Archambaut, Vichy, Mont d' Or, Vic le Comte, Martres de Veyre, S. Mion, S. Floret, and Andabre.  
Those which have but a Mediocrity, are those of Chaudesaigues, Pougues, Pont-Gibault, S. Alban, Jaude, Beaurepaire, Josse, Vic en Carladois, and Prugniez.  
And those which have little are those of Neris, Esvahon, and Sail.  
The Salt which was found to have a resemblance with Common Salt, was abundant in the Waters of Balleruc, la Bourboule, Chastelguyon, and Availles.  
There was a moderate Quantity in those of Bourbon Lancy, Bagniéres, Encausse, and Digne.  
But there was very little in those of B aréges, Capvert, Barbazan, lafoy Trauliére, Bess, Pons en Saintonge, la Rocheposay, Vaujour, Chasteau-Gontier, S. Rein, Premeau, Provins, Forges, S. Paul de Roven, Belesme, Hebecrevon, Revilly, la Taille, Menetou, Bourberouge, Vaux, Montigny, Montbosq, and Pont-normand.  
There was no manifest Salt found in those of S. Pardoux, Bardon, Chanonat, Man's, etc.  
There hath not been found in any of these Waters, either Alum or Vitriol discernible in their Sediments. These substances which are reckoned in the rank of Mineral Salts, are Concrete Juices, condensed by Evaporation of the superabundant Humidity dissolving them. They participate of much Earthiness very fixed, and their Acid Spirits are not separated but by great Heat, which raiseth them with an Augmentation of a Corrosive Acidity.  
The Taste somewhat Aigre or Vinous must needs proceed from other mixtures than those of Alum or Vitriol, since it is so easily lost in the open Air, when these Waters are exposed thereto for a few days, and more speedily when they are a little warmed. In the Distillation of these Waters in Balneo Mariae, this Acidity is neither found in what is distilled, nor in what remains in the Alembic, where no other Salts are to be found but Nitrous or Common.  
Only the Water of Vahls in Dauphiné, from a certain Spring called lafoy Dominique, left after Distillation, a certain Salt having some resemblance to White Vitriol. It was of a Taste a little Vitriolic, sweetish, and somewhat Styptic. This Salt, being dissolved in Common Water, made the Tincture of Tournesole to become Red, almost as Vitriol doth; and being mixed with the Salt of Tartar, dissolved also in Common Water, became Black as Ink, and precipitated a Black Earth: It being otherwise with White Vitriol, which doth not so much blacken with the Salt of Tartar. It were proper to inquire whether this Water of la Dominique be Emetic, as that wherein Vitriol is dissolved; and whether it produceth Effects like to those Waters wherein there is a True, Complete Vitriol.  
The Brownish-Red, or Purple Colour, which Acid Mineral Waters take by the Infusion of certain substances, which with Vitriol make Ink, is no certain sign that Vitriol is the Cause of the Acidity of these Waters; in the most part whereof there is no Vitriol, but a Sulphurous Nitre capable to absorb Vitriolic and Aluminous Acidities.  
There were found in certain Sulphurous Earth's Vaporous Juices not Coagulable, which are Acid, and do seem to be Vitriolic Seminaries, which may in time gain, by degrees, Concretions approaching to those of Vitriols. These Vaporous Juices meeting with the Waters of certain Springs, may give them a Vaporous Acidity; but which is easily lost, as those of the Waters of Pougues, S. Mion, Vic le Comte, Vic en Carladois, Martres de Veyre, S. Parise, lafoy Trauliére, Bess, and several others. Tho when these Juices have any beginning of Concretion, there remains some part in the Sediments, after the Distillation of the Water, as in that of la Dominique, which nevertheless lost its Acidity by Heat.  
As for the Earth's which have been found in different Quantity in the Mineral Waters examined by the Academy, the particular Distinction of their Species hath been more difficult than that of the Species of their Salts.  
There was found much Earth in the Waters of Petit Bain, Bain de la Rein, and the Spring of la Forgue at Bagniéres, also in those of Barbazan, Encausse, Prugniez, and Chastelguyon.  
Moderately in those of the Grand Bain, Bain de S. Roch de Bagniéres, Capvert, Andabre, Bourbon l'Archambault, Vic le Comte, Martres de Veyre, S. Floret, Pierre de Clermont, Jaude, Josse, Digne, Pougues, and Passi.  
Little in those of the Spring of Salut de Bagniéres, and in those of Baréges, Chaudesaigues, Mont d' Or, Vic en Carladois, S. Mion, Bess, Vernet, Chanonat, Pont-Gibault, lafoy Bourboule, S. Alban, Sail, lafoy Trauliére, Vichy, Bourbon Lancy, Neris, Esvahon, Pons en Saintonge, Montendre, la Fonsrovilleuse, la Rocheposay, Vaujour, Chasteau-Gontier, Premeau, S. Rein, Provins, Man's, and in all those of Normandy.  
There was no manifest Earth found in the Waters of Balleruc and Availles, the Sediments whereof were wholly Saline.  
The most part of these Earth's were White and Subtle, as those of the Waters of Bagniéres, Capvert, Barbazan, Encausse, Andabre, Prugniez, Vic en Carladois, Vic le Comte, Martres de Veyre, Bess, Vernet, Chastelguyon, S. Pierre de Clermont, Jaude, Pont-Gibault, lafoy Bourboule, Josse, S. Alban, Sail, Neris, Esvahon, S. Parise, the two Bourbons, and Pougues.  
Others were Grey, as those of the Waters of Baréges, Mont d' Or, Chaudesaigues, S. Floret, Chanonat, Vichy, Bardon, S. Pardoux, la Trauliére, Pons, la Rocheposay, Chasteau-Gontier, S. Paul de Roven, Belesme, Premeau, and S. Rein.  
Others Ruddy, as those of the Waters of Vaujour, Man's, Provins, Forges, and almost all the other Waters of Normandy.  
In Evaporation of all these Waters their Earth's were in different Forms; some in that of Films swimming a top, as those of the Waters of Capvert, Barbazan, Encausse, Vic en Carladois, Vic le Comte, Martres de Veyre, Vernet, S. Alban, Vichy, Pougues, S. Parise, and Pons.  
Others in Flakes, as those of the Waters of Baréges, Andabre, Prugniez, S. Floret, Chanonat, S. Pierre, lafoy Bourboule, and Josse.  
Others in Mucilages, as those of the Waters of Chaudesaigues, Vic en Carladois, Montendre, Vaujour, Man's, and Premeau.  
Others in Clods, as those of the Waters of Vic le Comte, and S. Mion.  
Others in Chaffy form, as those of the Waters of Chastelguyon, Bess, Bardon, and S. Pardoux.  
Others in small sandy Grains, as those of the Waters of la Fonsrovilleuse, la Rocheposay, and S. Rein.  
Others in a subtle Brown Powder, as those of the Waters of Provins, and almost all those of Normandy.  
There have been also observed some other Differences of these Earth's, by putting them in distilled Vinaigre, and burning them strongly in the Fire.  
Some were dissolved almost totally in distilled Vinaigre with an Effervescence, as doth the White Earth which results from the Coagulation of Natron, which is a Species of true Nitre; which Coagulation is made in an Instant, by the Mixture of that part of Common Salt, which is not condensed in a Humid. Such were the White Earth's of some Nitrous Waters, as those of Andabre, Prugniez, Martres de Veyre, S. Mion, S. Floret, Jaude, Pont-Gibault, Josse, Esvahon, and S. Alban.  
Others were dissolved only in part, and but little; as those of the Waters of Chaudesaigues, Vic en Carladois, Vernet, Chastelguyon, lafoy Bourboule, Vichy, and Bourbon l' Archambault.  
Others were not dissolved at all; as those of the Waters of Bagniéres, Pons en Saintonge, and Premeau.  
Some others did only make the distilled Vinaigre to take a high Tincture of a Hyacinth-Colour, which was lost in a few days by the Precipitation of a little Brown Powder, which seemed to be Sulphurous, as that of the Waters of Vaujour, la Rocheposay, and S. Paul de Roven.  
The Fire hath also discovered certain other Differences of these Earth's; for in burning them strongly in the Fire, some have changed Colour, others not, some have been Calcined, others Vitrified.  
Of those which were White, and changed Colour by Fire, some have become Dark-Grey, as that of the Water of Vernet; others Yellow, as that of the Water of S. Floret; others Ruddy as that of the Water of Prugniez; others Reddish, as that of the Waters of Mont d' Or, Vic le Comte, and S. Alban.  
Some others have not changed Colour, as that of the Waters of Bagniéres, Baréges, Capvert, Barbazan, Encausse, Chaudesaigues, etc.  
Others were Calcined, as that of the Water of Passi, which was altogether Plastrous.  
Others were Vitrified, as that of the Water of Andabre.  
The Sulphurs, and Bitumen, as well Concrete, as Liquid, are not, according to their whole substance, mixed with these Waters, although there is sometimes found somewhat of them in certain Springs. There is only their Saline part which is dissoluble in Water; that which is Fat & Inflammable being easily separated. And to discover them among these Waters, it were necessary to make Observations at their Springs and in their Basins. There has been none as yet found in those which have been sent to the Academy.  
The other Mixtures less sensible have not been yet observed: But till Opportunity shall offer for their Discovery, if possible; the present Observations of the Qualities, Quantities, Agreements and Differences of Salts and Earth's of so great a Number of Waters, which have been examined in the Royal Academy of the Sciences, and whereof we now make Public the Particular History, may be Useful and Serviceable to Physicians, who advise their Use, the better to make choice of those, which by reason of the mixture of these Mineral Substances which are more sensible, may sit their Intentions for the restoring of the Health of Persons Diseased.   

Particular OBSERVATIONS On the SALTS and EARTH'S OF Mineral WATERS, Which have been Examined in the Royal Academy of the Sciences.  
ALL the Mineral Waters, which have been brought to and examined in the Academy were in their Springs, some Hot, some Tepid, and others Cold: They also differed among themselves according to the Observation of the Taste; some being somewhat Aigre or Vinous, others Austere or Ferruginous; others without any Savour very manifest, or Insipid. All these sensible Differences, joined to those which have been most remarkable in the Sediment of these Waters after Distillation or Evaporation, and principally in the Participation of certain Salts, whereof some had a resemblance to Common Salt, others to the Nitre of the Ancients, have given occasion to distribute them into certain Classes, thereby to dispose in some order the particular History of so great a Number of Observations which have been made in examining such a Diversity of Waters.  
In the First of these Classes are placed the Hot Waters, wherein was found a Salt having resemblance to Common Salt.  
In the Second are the Hot Waters, wherein was found a Salt resembling the Nitre described by the Ancients.  
In the Third are the Tepid and Insipid Waters, whereof some have a Salt, either Common or Nitrous, and some have not.  
In the Fourth are the Tepid, somewhat Aigre or Vinous Waters, which have some participation of the true Nitre.  
In the Fifth are the Cold, Insipid Waters, whereof some participate of a Salt resembling Common Salt; others in their Sediments discover not Salt.  
In the Sixth are the Cold Waters of a Ferruginous or Austere Taste.  
In the Seventh are the Cold Waters, of a Taste somewhat Aigre or Vinous, which participate of Common Salt.  
In the Eighth are the Cold Waters, likewise somewhat Aigre or Vinous, which participate of the true Nitre.  
There were no Hot Waters found that were Vinous; nor Cold Insipid Waters that were Nitrous.  

The First CLASS.  
Of the Hot Waters, wherein was found a Salt resembling Common Salt.  
OF this sort were the Waters of Bourbon Lancy, lafoy Bourboule, Esvahon, or Evoes, Balleruc, Barbazan, Baréges, Bagniéres, Digne, and Bourbonne.  

Of the Waters of Bourbon Lancy, in Bourbonnois.  The great Number of Springs, the Magnificence of the Baths, the Antiquity of the Buildings, and the Care which our Kings have taken since the last Age in the repairing thereof, give to these Waters the Prerogative to be first considered.  
The Experiments have been made on the Waters of le Limb, the Springs of la Rein, Escures, and S. Leger, brought in the Beginning of the Springtime.  
The Water of the great Well which is called le Limb, is the warmest in its Spring: It was Limpid and without Taste. Having been slowly distilled, there was found no difference between what passed first, and what last. It left at the bottom of the Cucurbites about 1/640 Sediment, whitish and Salt, from whence was separated 1/10 Earth, the other 9/10 were a pure Salt of the taste of Common Salt, which was condensed in Grains of a Cubic Figure, like Sal-Marine. This Water continued always Limpid in the Cucurbites during the distillation.  
To examine the Quality of this Salt, by comparison with Common Salt, They caused to be dissolved the one, and the other, apart in four times the Quantity of Common Water, afterwards They mixed them with the like Quantity of Common Water wherein Mercury Sublimate had been dissolved; and it was observed that by the mixture of the Salt of the Water of le Limb there was produced neither any Trouble, nor Precipitation in the Sublimate Water, as also neither in the dissolution of Common Salt. The same was observed upon the Dissolution of Vitriol, which was not troubled either by the Salt of the Water of le Limb, or by Common-Salt. These two Salts being put apart into Common Water tinctured with Tournesole, changed not the Blue Colour, as do Alum and Vitriol, and all other Acids which make it Red: But they did both alike precipitate the Salt of Lead dissolved in Common Water, and filtrated thro' Grey Paper.  
Having thus compared the Salt of the Water of le Limb with Common Salt, and observed their Resemblances together, They afterwards remarked the Differences of this Salt of the Water of le Limb, from Alum and Vitriol, as well by Sight as Taste, which they found Considerable; that by the Mixture made of these three substances dissolved apart in Common Water with the Tincture of Tournesole, the Blue Colour which changed into a Clear-Red by the mixture of Alum, and into a Dark-Red by the mixture of Vitriol, changed not at all by the Salt of the Water of le Limb no more than by Common-Salt.  
In comparing this Salt of the Water of le Limb with other Mineral Salts, which are commonly known, it was observed that it fulminated not in the Fire with Combustible substances, as doth Salt-Petre; that the Taste of one had not resemblance with that of the other; that Salt-Petre dissolved in Common Water caused the Tincture of Tournesole to become somewhat Red; which the Salt of the Water of le Limb did not, & that Salt-Petre dissolved in Common Water troubled not the Dissolution of the Salt of Lead, as doth the Salt of the Water of le Limb.  
It was also remarked that this Salt of the Water of le Limb was different from true Nitre; forasmuch as the true Nitre, such as is the Natron of Egypt, and the Natural Borax, precipitated in an Orange-Colour Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water, which the Salt of the Water of le Limb did not; which did not so much as trouble this Dissolution of Sublimate, as doth Sal-Gemm which renders it a little Milky, and as doth the Salt of Marle which whiteneth it still more.  
By all these Comparisons of the Salt of the Water of le Limb with other known Salts, it was observed that it had resemblance only to Sal-Marine, and other like Common Salts which are used for seasoning and preservation of Victuals.  
And because Salgem, and the fixed Salt which is separated from Salt-Petre, in its refining, seemed like to Common Salt, they examined both one and the other, to see to which of the two the Salt of the Water of le Limb had most resemblance, and it was observed that it did more resemble the fixed Salt of Salt-Petre than Sal-Gemm, and that herein it agreed also with Common Salt. Sal-Gemm dissolved in Water, and placed to evaporate by a gentle heat, does incrust on the surface of the Water; it troubles and makes White the Limpid Dissolution of Sublimate, it turns into Yellow the Green Tincture of the dissolution of Germane Vitriol; and in a little time is condensed in long and transparent Fibres in that Vitriol-Water; which the Salt of the Water of le Limb did not, as neither did Common Salt, and the fixed Salt of Salt-Petre.  
There appeared nothing Bituminous or Sulphurous in all this Water, nor in its Sediments.  
The other Waters of Bourbon Lancy, which were those of the Springs of la Rein, Escures & S. Leger, & which in their Sources have different Degrees of Heat; the first being most Warm, but less than that of le Limb, the second less than the first, and the third only Tepid, were found to have like Sediments and in like proportion. All three had proportionably somewhat less Salt than that of le Limb, but otherwise their Salt was alike. In lb V of these Waters there was almost ʒj of Salt.  
The Salt of these Waters being melted by the Fire in Crucibles became only Grey; and the Earth separated from the Salt of the Water of le Limb changing its Colour by the Fire became very Brown, and contracted a certain Brackishness; but that of the Waters of the other Springs changed not.  

Of the Waters of la Bourboule, in the Parish of Murat de Quairs.  The Water of the Bath of the Town, and that of the Spring above the Bath are alike. They were Limpid and manifestly Salt.  
They were evaporated by a gentle he at, in Earthen Vessels, the better to observe the Changes arising.  
During their Evaporation, made apart, there were formed Whitish Flakes, which did swim in the middle of the Liquor, and by degrees were precipitated to the bottom.  
The Total of the dry Sediment was 1/170 of the weight of the Water; it was almost all Salt, whence was separated only 1/20 Greyish Earth, which suffered no change by the Fire; but partly dissolved in distilled Vinaigre. The Salt of these Waters was found to resemble Common Salt; which was experimented, as before, on the Salts of the Waters of Bourbon Lanoy.  
The Water of the Spring above the Bath, had more Salt, and less Earth than that of the Bath.  
These Waters were taken in the beginning of the Springtime.  

Of the Water of Esvahon, or Evoes, in Combrail. les.  The Water of the great Spring of the Baths was very Limpid and Insipid. It left after Evaporation 1/768 White Fibrous Sediment, of a Saline taste, the Salt whereof being separated from its Earth, had a resemblance to Common Salt. It changed not its white Colour by the Fire, and its Earth was found almost all dissolved in distilled Vinaigre.  
This Water was taken in the Springtime together with that of the little Spring of the Town; and because the Water of the little Spring was found different from that of the great one of the Baths; the Observations made thereon are referred to another Class.  

Of the Water of Balleruc, in Languedoc.  The Water of the Baths of Balleruc, being sent in the middle of the Summer, was found to be Limpid, but of a disagreeable Taste, and somewhat Salt.  
In Evaporation thereof there were made on the surface of the Water Saline Films; which being finished there remained 1/128 Salt resembling Common Salt. It did not precipitate Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water, nor Vitriol so dissolved, as doth the true Nitre. It caused not the Tincture of Tournesole to become Red, as doth Vitriol and Alum. It fulminated not upon Burning Coals, as Salt-Petre, but thickened the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved, as doth the second part of Sal-Marine, which still retaineth a certain Mixture of the first, that hindereth it from Coagulating strongly the Liquor of Salt of Tartar and Alcalies' dissolved by the Air, or in Common Water.  
This Salt was not mixed with any Earth, which was separable by its Dissolution in Water. Being put in a Crucible on the Fire it was difficult to melt, and became Greyish.  

Of the Water of Barbazan, in le Commingeois.  The Water of Barbazan, being taken in the middle of the Springtime, was Limpid, and without any Taste very manifest. Only it left a certain Roughness upon the Tongue.  
During Evaporation which was made by a Gentle Heat, there arose white Films, thick, and very like to those made by Quicklime on the Surface of Water. The Evaporation being finished, these Films remained dry at the bottom of the Vessels, in their first form. Their weight was 1/566 of that of the Water. They contained only about 1/6 Salt, resembling Common-Salt. The Earth which was a sort of White Chalk, received no change by the Fire.  

Of the Waters of Baréges, in la Bigorre.  The Water, which was taken up at the two Baths of Baréges about the middle of Summer, and was three Weeks before it came to our hands, smelled of the Fen and Mud.  
These Waters being evaporated apart had their Surface covered with a subtle Greyish Film, & there were little Ruddish Flakes swimming in the middle. They left very little Sediment, Grey, Leafy, of a Saline Taste; which was but 1/4700 of the whole. The small Quantity of Salt which they contained had resemblance to Common Salt considered according to the Mixture of its two parts; so that the second, which hath an Acidity, may surpass in Quantity the first, which hath none; for this Salt of the Waters of Baréges troubled and thickened the Dissolution of Salt of Tartar.  

Of the Water of Bagniéres in la Bigorre.  The Waters of Bagniéres, taken in the middle of the Springtime, were those of the little Bath, the Spring de la Rein, the Bath of S. Roch, the great Bath, the Spring de la Forgue, and the Spring de Salut.  
The Water of the little Bath, which is said to be hot in its Spring, almost to the third Degree, was Limpid and without any manifest Taste.  
In the Evaporation there were formed White and Thick Films on the surface of the Water, and the dry Sediment made 1/488 of the weight of the Water whence it was separated. It had 1/3 Salt like to that of the Water of Baréges. The Earth freed from its Salt was White and very Subtle. It dissolved not in distilled Vinaigre, and changed not in the Fire either its Consistence or Colour.  
The Water of the Spring de la Rein, which is said to be no less Hot than that of the little Bath, was very Limpid and without Taste.  
There were also formed Films on the Surface of the Water, in the Evaporation. The Sediment was 1/440 containing but 1/4 Salt.  
The Qualities of the Salt and Earth of this Sediment differed nothing from those of the Salt and Earth of the Water of the little Bath.  
The Water of the Bath of S. Roch, which in its Spring is likewise very Hot, was, as the others, very Clear and Insipid.  
In Evaporation there were formed fewer Films on the Surface than in that of the little Bath, though there was found more Sediment; for there was 1/3745 whence was drawn 1/5 Salt like to that of the Water of the little Bath, and that of the Spring de la Rein. The Earth was also alike.  
The Water of the great Bath, which is the Hottest, and which is only used for Bathing, was likewise without Taste, and very Limpid.  
In Evaporation there were formed Films on the Surface, as in that of the little Bath; but its Sediment was found much less: It was only 1/716 which contained not above 1/4 Salt,  
The Salt and Earth of this Water had the same Qualities with those of the Salt and Earth of the Water of the little Bath.  
The Water of the Spring de la Forgue, which is said in its Source to be Hot in the first Degree, and fit to drink, was also very Limpid and Insipid.  
In Evaporation its Surface was covered with Films like to those on the Water of the Spring de la Rein. The Sediment remaining in form of a White Earth was 1/419, wherein was found somewhat more than 1/4 Salt, nothing different from that of the Water of the Spring de la Rein: Their Earth's were also alike.  
The Water of the Spring de Salut, which is also proper for drinking, was, as the precedent, without Taste and very Clear.  
There were formed on its surface very few Films during Evaporation, and it left very little Sediment, amounting to no more than 1/1600, which was almost nothing but a Salt resembling the other Salts of these Waters.  
These Salts having been put apart in Crucibles on the Fire, to be melted, exhaled some Spirits which made the Flame of the Coals of a Blue Colour; and being melted and cooled, were found coloured with a Redness of Clear Lacque, except the Salt of the Water of the Bath of S. Roch, which was only Greyish.  

Of the Water of Digne, in Provence.  The Water of the Baths of Digne, being taken in the middle of the Summer, had a little Saltness, which nevertheless rendered it not disagreeable to the Taste, and was very Limpid.  
In its Sediment after Evaporation was found a Pure White Salt, resembling Common-Salt, the Weight whereof was 1/270 of the Weight of the Water.  
This Salt caused the Liquor of the Salt of Tartar dissolved by the Humid Air to Coagulate in an instant; as doth that part of Sal-Marine which is not Condensed, but by a Heat which causeth all the Humidity to evaporate that keeps it in a Liquid Consistence, after the Chrystallization of the other part thro' Cold.  

Of the Water of Bourbonne in Champagne.  The Water of the Baths of Bourbonne, taken in the Month of August, was of a Taste somewhat Saline: After Evaporation there was also found much Salt, to the Quantity of 1/142, without mixture of Earth, and it had resemblance to that part of Common Salt which is Condensed and Chrystallized thro' Cold in a Humid; for it troubled not the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved.  
There appeared to us in this Water nothing Bituminous; but there was found somewhat of that kind in the Mud of the Baths whence it was taken; it being the Propriety of Bitumen, not to mix with Water. If they be Liquid, they swim a top; if they be Thick & Earthy, they settle to the bottom among the Mud, which they make black, and of an ill Scent, by reason of the Sulphurous Salt which abounds in those substances. Some of this Mud being put in a Glass-Retort, and distilled by a Gradual Heat, there came forth a troubled and whitish Water, of a Scent somewhat Sulphurous; afterwards by force of Fire came over a Water somewhat of a Ruddy Colour, and an Oil. This Ruddy Water was impregnated with a Volatile Salt, which caused Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common-Water to precipitate: It precipitated also the Earth of Vitriol, as Sulphurous Salts do, and made an Effervescence with the Spirit of Salt. What remained of this Mud in the Retort after Distillation, retained still somewhat of a Sulphurous Salt mixed with Common Salt.  
This Sulphurous Salt was so Fixed in the Earth of this Mud, that it could not be separated but by a very great Fire: Neither is it mixed with the Water of the Baths, whence this Mud is taken.   

The Second CLASS.  
Of the Hot Waters wherein there was found a Salt resembling Nitre, as described by the Ancients.  
OF this sort were the Waters of Bourbon l' Archambault, Chaudesaigues, Mont d' Or, Neris, the little Spring of Esvahon, the Baths of Vichy, and Sail lez Chasteau-Morand.  

Of the Water of Bourbon l'Archambault, in Bourbonnois.  The Water of the Baths of Bourbon l' Archambault, taken in the Springtime, was Limpid, and of a Taste somewhat Nitrous.  
During the Evaporation made by a Gentle Heat, to observe its Sediment; there were formed on its Surface White Films, which afterwards precipitated in Flakes. The whole Sediment was found to be 1/316 of the weight of the Water, containing 1/10 White Earth and 9/10 Salt.  
In examining this Salt, it was observed that it had a Lixivial Taste, and was purely Nitrous. The Nitre whereto the Naturalists of the Academy have thought fit to refer the Salt of the Water of the Baths of Bourbon l' Archambault, is the true Nitre described by the Ancients; and commonly so called, which hath a resemblance to the Fixed Sulphurous Salt of Plants reduced into Ashes, and is different from Salt-Petre, which some Chemists take for Nitre. There is a kind of Fossil Nitre, which is taken out of the Earth in Grey, Compact and Hard Lumps. There is also a sort Soft, less Compact, White, which shoots forth upon the Ground in certain parts of Hot Countries. There are also Waters impregnated therewith, as that of Nile. The Natron of Egypt, and the Natural Borax are also Species thereof, and the Salt of Marle may be referred thereto, which is also a Sulphurous Salt, but which hath more resemblance to the Volatile Salt of Plants than to Alcalies. All these Nitrous Salts have something Sulphurous, which is not found in Salt-Petre, unless Alcalized, that is to say, reduced by the means of the Sulphur of Coals to the Nature and Quality of the Salt of the Herb Kaly. The Fixed Sulphurous Salts of Plants, and the true Nitres do cause Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water to precipitate in the Colour of the Rinds of Ripe Oranges: They make Syrup of Violets to turn Green; they restore the Blue Colour of Tournesole, being changed and made Red by Acid Liquors. As also doth the Salt of the Water of the Baths of Bourbon l' Archambault; which Salt-Petre, Common Salt, Vitriol and Alum do not.  
There was found nothing Bituminous in this Water, nor any thing of Sulphureity, except the Nitrous part of its Salt. The Earth of its Sediment had nothing of Fat; it dissolved in part in distilled Vinaigre.  
In lb IV. of this Water there was found ʒjss of Nitrous Salt, which Quantity is sufficient to move the Belly a●● Purge as do Alcalies.  
This great Quantity of true Nitre in the Water of the Warm Springs of Bourbon l' Archambault, may be considered as the Principal Cause of the Effects of this Water in those who drink thereof. And by the Consideration of the Proprieties of this sort of Salt, which are to heat, dry, attenuate, resolve, deterge, purge, etc. one may judge of the Agreeableness of this Water to the Constitutions of Persons Diseased, and the Quality of their Diseases, in order to advise the Use thereof.  

Of the Water of Chaudesaigues, in the High Country of Auvergne.  This Water, being taken in the Spring time, was Limpid and Insipid, but of an ill Scent, it being Corrupted in the Bottles.  
In Evaporation thereof by a Gentle Heat, there was made a Mucilaginous Sediment, like to Frog-spawn, of a Taste somewhat Saline, and which thickened like Jelly of Hartshorn. The whole dry Sediment amounted only to 1/1139 of the weight of the Water. It contained a little more than the Moiety of Salt.  
The Salt of this Sediment was found to be Nitrous; for it precipitated Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water in the Colour of the Rinds of ripe Oranges; as doth the true Nitre, and all Lixivial Salts. It changed the Colour of Syrup of Violets into Green, and restored the Blue Colour of Tournesole being changed and made strongly Red by Alum-Water.  
This Salt being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, swelled like Borax, and became Ruddy.  
The Earth of this Water received no Change by the Fire, though strongly burnt in a Crucible: It dissolved in part in distilled Vinaigre.  

Of the Water of Mont d' Or, in Auvergne.  This Water, being sent at the same time with the precedent, was Insipid, but somewhat Troubled.  
It left after Evaporation 1/284 Whitish and Leafy Sediment, which was almost all Saline, having only 1/9 Earth.  
This Salt was likewise of the same Quality with the precedent, that is, Nitrous. Being put in a Crucible on the Fire to melt, it swelled not; it turned to a dark Red Colour; and its Earth being strongly burnt in the Fire, became Reddish.  

Of the Water of Neris, in Bourbonnois.  The Water of the Baths of Neris, taken in the Springtime, was very Limpid and without Taste.  
Being evaporated by a most Gentle Heat, what remained in a dry Consistence was in so little Quantity, that it made but 1/6272 of the weight of the Water.  
This Sediment was Saline; and having been dissolved in thrice as much Common Water, there was separated from it a little Earth, and one part of the Water being gently evaporated, the Salt was condensed thro' Cold in Crystals very like to Salt-Petre refined, but they did not fulminate on burning Coals. They caused Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water to precipitate in an Orange Colour, as doth the true Nitre, and by other Experiments it was also found that this Salt was Nitrous, and had a resemblance to Natural Borax.  
The Sediment of this Water being put on the Fire, without separating any of that little Earth mixed therewith, did melt and contract a Green Colour in the Crucible.  

Of the Water of Esvahon, from the little Spring of the Town.  This Water was found to differ much from that of the great Spring of the Baths of Esvahon. It left after Evaporation 1/808 very White and Leafy Sediment, of a Saline Taste, the Salt whereof did resemble that of the Water of Neris, and also contracted a certain Greenness by the Fire.  

Of the Water of la Grille de Vichy, in Bourbonnois.  The Waters of Vichy are some Hot, some Tepid, and others Cold. The Hot and Tepid which were examined in the Academy, did participate of the true Nitre. They were taken in the Springtime.  
The Water of the Grandee Grille, which is Warm in its Spring, was Limpid, of a weak Scent, and of a Taste somewhat Nitrous.  
During Evaporation there were formed Greyish Films on the Surface of the Water. And at last was made a Saline Concretion, which being dry, amounted to 1/176 of the weight of the Water; whence was separated 1/12 Grey, Fibrous Earth.  
The Dissolution of this Salt depurated and freed from its Earth, having been evaporated, the first Concretion was made in Long, White, Transparent Crystals like to Salt-Petre, but fulminated not upon burning Coals; and what was condensed last in little Ruddish Grains had a Lixivial Taste. All this Salt was Nitrous, as that of the Water of the Baths of Bourbon l' Archambault. The great Quantity of this Nitrous Salt doth necessarily conclude this Water more proper for Bathing than Drinking, for in lb iv. of Water there was found of Salt ʒiij.  
This Salt, having been melted in the Fire, became Yellowish. It's Earth in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre, and changed not by the Fire.  

Of the Water of Sail lez Chasteau-Moraud.  The Water of Sail was Limpid, and agreeable to drink, having no Taste. It was taken in the Springtime.  
Being evaporated, it left very little Sédiment, which was Greyish, Leafy, of a Nitrous and Lixivial Taste. The small Quantity of Salt found therein had resemblance to true Nitre.  
One part of this Sediment, not freed from its Salt, being put in a Crucible on the Fire, did melt and became Blue, as doth Salt of Tartar which hath been a long time melting.   

The Third CLASS.  
Of Tepid Insipid Waters, whereof some did partake of a little Salt, others had none.  
THe Number of Tepid Insipid Waters which have been examined in the Academy, hath not been great. There were only those of Encausse, Premeau, Bardon, and two Springs of Vichy. This Class being not large by reason of the small Number of this Sort of Waters, the other Differences of these Waters taken from the Diversity of their Salts, have not been so much considered as to make separate Classes.  

Of the Water of Encausse, in le Commingeois.  This Water, being taken in the middle of the Springtime, was very Limpid, without any Taste very manifest, except that it was a little Austeres.  
During the Evaporation made by a Gentle Heat, the surface of this Water was covered with White Films, broad, and thick, like to those which are made in the Dissolution of Quicklime in Common Water.  
The whole Sediment was found to be 1/290 White substance, whence was separated almost 1/3 Salt, which was like to Common Salt, according to the Experiment practised on that of the Water of Bourbon Lancy. Being melted by the Fire it became Whiter than before.  

Of the Water of Premeau, in Burgundy near Nuits.  This Water, being taken at the end of the Summer, was Limpid and without Taste, agreeable enough to drink; and had a certain Detersive Quality.  
To find out whether this Water participated of any Bituminous Substance of the Scent of Amber, as hath been written, it was distilled in Glass-Alembics in Balneo Mariae. What came over into the Recipients had no Scent, and appeared not different from that which was not put to Distillation. Neither was there found any Sediment which had either the Consistence or Scent of Amber or Bitumen.  
It was also evaporated in Earthen Vessels by a Gentle Heat, but what was evaporated had no Scent. During the Operation there was seen to swim in this Water certain little Grey Mucilages, and towards the end the Surface of the Water was covered with a Grey, Sandy Film; and the sides of the Vessels were lined with a Subtle, Grey Sand. Towards the bottom were Mucilages, which had nothing Bituminous. These Mucilages being dried were reduced to a Leafy Earth, and the whole Sediment, as well Leafy as Sandy, was in very little Quantity, and amounted but to 1/5120 of the weight of the Water.  
In this Sediment there was a little Salt of the Taste and Quality of Common Salt. The Earth was not Dissoluble in Spirit of Vinaigre. Being put on the Fire, and burnt, it became White.  

Of the Water of Bardon, near Moulins.  This Water, being taken in the Springtime, was Limpid and Insipid. Being evaporated it left but very little Greyish, Leafy Earth, without any manifest Salt.  

Of the Water of the Tepid Springs of Vichy, in Bourbonnois.  The Water of the Great Basin, which is said to be somewhat Acid in its Spring, was found Insipid being brought hither.  
In Evaporation there were formed little Films on the surface, and after Evaporation the Sediment was 1/176 of the Weight of the Water; which consisted of a Salt mixed with 1/22 Greyish, Fibrous Earth, which was separated from it. This Salt was of a Nitrous Quality, as that of the Grille of the same place. Being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, it took a Tawny Colour.  
The Water of the little Basins was somewhat Aigre; and resembling that of the great Basin. It's Salt was alike, and in the same Proportion.   

The Fourth CLASS.  
Of Water's Tepid, somewhat Aigre or Vinous, which have some participation of true Nitre.  
OF this sort were the Waters of Vic le Comte, Vic en Carladois, Martres de Veyre, Jaude, Champ des Pavures, and Beaurepaire.  

Of the Water of Vic le Comte, in Auvergne.  This Water of Vic le Comte, from the Fountain du Cornet, taken in the Spring time, was very Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre and Vinous. It left no Impression of Dryness on the Tongue.  
Because the Acidity of this and other like Waters, which receive a Tincture with Galls, Pomegranate-Bark, Myrobalans, etc. as do those wherein there is Vitriol, may seem to proceed from a participation of some Vitriolic Vapours, it was resolved to see whether by Distillation there could be separated any Spirit different from the rest of the Water: Wherefore it being put to distil in Glass-Alembics by a very Gentle Heat, there was carefully observed whether there did arise any Acrimonious Vapour, like to that which affects the Nose of them who drink those Waters, which are somewhat Aigre and Vinous at their Rise from their Springs. But what did rise and distil from the very beginning had neither Scent nor Taste; and what remained in the Alembics, instead of Acidity, had only a little Brackishness, which was augmented toward the End of the Distillation.  
By these Experiments repeated on other Waters, which were likewise somewhat Aigre, it may be judged that the Acidity of these Waters proceeds from some subtle Mineral Vapour not Condensable, or which easily changeth its Acidity into Brackishness.  
This Water of Vic le Comte was also evaporated in open Vessels, and it was observed that during the Evaporation there were formed on the Surface little Films, which settled to the bottom in the form of little stony Clods. The Evaporation being finished there remained 1/192 White Sediment, whence was drawn almost 2/3 Salt resembling true Nitre. This Salt being melted on the Fire in a Crucible, swollen not, and became only Greyish.  
The Earth of this Sediment, which was White, being burnt in the Fire, became Reddish. It dissolved in part in distilled Vinaigre.  

Of the Water of Vic, in Carladois.  This Water, taken at the same time with the former, was found very Limpid, and of a Taste somewhat Aigre.  
There were formed in Evaporation very subtle White Films on the Surface of the Water; towards the end whereof there was made a White Sediment, Mucilaginous, of a Saline Taste, which being Dry, amounted but to 1/920 of the Weight of the Water; wherein was a Moiety of Salt having a Nitrous Quality, which being melted by the Fire, changed not its Colour.  
The Earth of this Sediment dissolved in part in distilled Vinaigre, and being strongly burnt in the Fire, became Greyish and somewhat Brackish.  

Of the Water of Martres de Veyre, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken from the Rock of the Baths in the Springtime, was very Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre and Vinous; leaving on the Tongue a certain impression of Dryness. There was found in the Bottles a small Quantity of Ruddish Sediment.  
During Evaporation there were formed Films, White and very Subtle swimming thereon, which settling fixed themselves round about the Vessels. The Sediment of the whole Water evaporated to Dryness was White, of a Saline Taste, and its Quantity amounted to 1/18● of the weight of the Water, whence was drawn almost a Moiety of Nitrous Salt. This Salt having been melted on the Fire in a Crucible, became of a Bluish Colour.  
The Earth being placed on the Fire, was strongly burnt, changed its Colour very little; but it became Cloddy, and contracted a certain Brackishness. Before and after the Ignition, it dissolved almost wholly in distilled Vinaigre, with an Effervescence, as doth the Earthy, White and Insipid substance which results from the mixture of the true Nitre, or of any Alkali, with that part of Common Salt which is not Condensed thro' Cold, and in a Humid.  

Of the Water of Jaude in Auvergne.  There were brought in the Springtime, Waters from three Springs of Jaude, which are the little Spring of Jaude, that of Champ des Pavures, and that of Beaure-paire.  
The Water of the first was very Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre or Vinous, and left a certain Impression of Dryness on the Tongue.  
In pouring out the Water from the Bottles in order to evaporation, there were found at the bottom some Sediments of a Feville-morte Colour, which were separated.  
During Evaporation the Water was not troubled; nor had therein either Films or Flakes. What remained dry, amounted to 1/553 of the weight of the Water; being a Greyish substance containing almost a Moiety of Salt which had resemblance to true Nitre, and which being melted on the Fire in a Crucible, took a Red Colour.  
The Earth of this Sediment dissolved almost wholly in distilled Vinaigre, with much Effervescence; but changed not in the Fire.  
The Water of Champ des Pavures was altogether like to the former, its Sediments alike, and its Salt also Nitrous.  
That of Beaurepáire had nothing different from the other two.  
The Salts of these three Waters having been melted apart on the Fire in Crucibles, took a Red Colour more or less deep, according to the different degree of the Fire.   

The Fifth CLASS.  
Of Cold Insipid Waters, which participate somewhat of a Salt resembling Common Salt, and some others in the Sediments whereof no Salt was found.  
OF this sort were the Waters of Capvert, Availles, the Spring of Ionas at Bourbon l' Archambault, S. Rhine, Autevil, Biéure, Passy, Chasteau-Gontier, Vaujour, la Rocheposay, Pons, Montendre, la Fronsrovilleuse, Man's, Belesme, and Verberie.  

Of the Water of Capvert, in la Bigorre.  This Water, taken in the middle of the Springtime, was Limpid, without Scent or Taste.  
In Evaporation by a very Gentle heat, there were formed on the Surface of the Water White Films, like to those which are made upon Water wherein Marle Calcined hath been put. The Sediment of the whole Water evaporated was 1/748, whence was separated 1/4 Salt, resembling Sal-Marine, considered in the Conjunction of its two different parts.  
The Earth of the Sediment of this Water lost not its Whiteness in the Fire, and remained after a very strong Ignition without any manifest Change.  
The Salt also being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, changed not its Colour.  

Of the Water of Availles, in Poictou.  This Water taken in the beginning of Autumn was Limpid, and of a Taste somewhat Brackish.  
In Evaporation there was formed on the Surface a Film which covered it all over, the matter whereof was rough both to the Feeling and Taste, as a very fine Sand, or Cream of Tartar pulverised. There were no Mucilages made therein, and toward the end of the Evaporation the Water became very Brackish: There remained at the bottom 1/230 pure Salt, very Acrimonious, partly in great Cubical Grains, like the Salt of Brovage, partly in a solid Mass. This Salt caused the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved, to coagulate, as doth the second part of Sal-Marine. Being put in a Crucible on the Fire to melt, it crackled as Common Salt; afterwards it exhaled a Scent of Spirit of Salt; and after having been melted it became Grey.  

Of the Water of Ionas, at Bourbon l' Archambault.  This Water, being taken in the beginning of the Springtime, was Limpid, and without manifest Taste.  
Being evaporated it left only 1/812 leafy Sediment, very White, encompassed with some Ruddish Earthiness. This Sediment had so little Brackishness, that it was not sensible to the Taste: Nevertheless it thickened the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved, as doth the second part of Sal-Marine.  
This Earth in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre, but changed not in the Fine.  

Of the Water of S. Rein, in Burgundy.  This Water, taken in the beginning of Summer, was Limpid, without Scent or Taste, and agreeable to drink.  
During Evaporation the Surface of the Water was covered with a Subtle, Grey Film, Sandy and Insipid; and toward the end it became thicker. The whole being evaporated there was found only 1/1036 Sediment, partly in White Leaves, very fine, and partly in Ruddish Gum, of a very Acute Saline Taste, and almost as Piquant as Sal Armoniac.  
The Salt of this Sediment being dissolved in Common Water, and mixed with the Tincture of Tournesole, did not turn it Red, as do Alum and Vitriol; neither did it precipitate Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water, as doth the true Nitre: But it did coagulate strongly the Liquor of Salt of Tartar dissolved, as doth the second part of Sal-Marine; which Salt-Petre and Salgem do not.  

Of the Water of Autevil, near Paris.  This Water, being taken in the beginning of the Summer, was Limpid and Insipid. During Evaporation it continued Limpid without Films or Flakes. Toward the end there was separated a very little Sediment, which being dried was found to be White ' and of a Saline Taste. It's weight was only 1/5500 of the weight of the Water. The Salt of this Sediment had resemblance to that part of Common Salt, which is Chrystallized thro' Cold.  

Of the Water of Passy, near Paris.  This Water, being taken at the beginning of Summer, was not very Limpid: It appeared Whitish, and its Taste seemed to be Plastrous: It left a certain Roughness and Dryness on the Tongue.  
During Evaporation it forced out on its Surface certain Little, Grey, Discontinued Films; and left 1/700 Sediment, partly in Grey Leaves, partly in Glistering Fibres, like Crude Plaster. This Sediment contained 1/7 Salt, which had resemblance to the second part of Sal-Marine, and did coagulate the Salt of Tartar dissolved in Common Water.  
The Earth of this Sediment did Calcine in the Fire like Plaster; and by tempering it with Water, it stuck together, as doth burnt Plaster.  

Of the Water of Biéure, near Paris.  This Water, which some have judged to be Mineral, was very Limpid, and almost Insipid.  
After Evaporation there remained so little Sediment, that it scarcely amounted to 1/7700, of the Weight of the Water. It consisted of a White, Leafy Earth, of a Taste very little Brackish, resembling that of Common Salt.  

Of the Water of Chasteau Gontier, in Anjou.  This Water, likewise by some thought Mineral, was Limpid, and without manifest Taste. The little Sediment which it left, being evaporated, made but 1/2000 of the Weight of the Water; being a Grey Earth, very Brackish, the Salt whereof resembled both parts of Sal-Marine conjoined.  

Of the Water of Vaujour, in the Duchy of la Valliére.  This Water was Limpid and Insipid. It's Sediment, after Evaporation, was in very small Quantity; containing a Ruddish Earth, somewhat Brackish, which gathered together in little Ruddish Mucilages swimming in the Water, that toward the end did stick to the sides of the Vessels, and, as it were, lined them.  
The Salt of this Sediment resembled Common Salt, and its Earth being put in a little Crucible on the Fire, did half melt, and was reduced into Clods. It dissolved somewhat in distilled Vinaigre, which took thence a Hyacinth-Colour; but that afterwards precipitated into a deep Brown.  

Of the Water of la Rocheposay, in Touraine.  This Water, taken at the beginning of Summer, was Limpid, and without Taste.  
During Evaporation the Surface was covered with a White, Sandy Powder, which also did stick to the sides of the Vessels; there remaining at last but very little of a Grey, Sandy Earth, of a Taste a little Brackish, which made only about 1/2700 of the weight of the Water.  
The little Quantity of Salt, which was in this Sediment, might be referred to Common Salt. The Earth being put on the Fire became White. It dissolved not in distilled Vinaigre, which nevertheless was charged with a Hyacinth Colour; but this Colour was dissipated next Day by the Precipitation of some Powder.  

Of the Water of Pous, in Saintonge.  This Water, being taken at the end of the Summer, was Limpid & without Taste.  
During Evaporation there were formed on the Surface little white Films, very Subtle, and, as it were, Sandy. There remained a small Quantity of Earthy matter, Greyish, Light, Fibrous, of a Taste a little Brackish, which amounted not to so much as 1/3000 of the weight of the Water.  
The little Salt which was in this Sediment, seemed not different from Common Salt. The Earth, separated from the Salt, being burnt in the Fire, became came somewhat White. It was not dissoluble in distilled Vinaigre.  

Of the Water of Montendre.  This Water, taken at the same time with the former, was Limpid, but it scented of the Fen.  
During Evaporation it continued also Limpid; only there appeared toward the End very few Grey Mucilages; and there remained at last less Sediment than in that of Pons; consisting of a Grey, Brackish Earth, the Salt whereof had resemblance to Common Salt.  

Of the Water of Fonsrovilleuse.  This Water, being taken at the same time with the other, was Limpid, and likewise scented of the Fen.  
During Evaporation it continued also Limpid; which being finished, the sides and bottom of the Vessels were found slightly lined with a little Sandy Earth, Dark-Grey, somewhat Brackish, the Quantity whereof was somewhat more than that of the Sediment of the Water of Montendre, and less than that of Pons.  
The Salt of this Sediment did likewise resemble Common Salt.  

Of the Water of Mans.  The Water of the Mineral Spring of Man's, being taken at the beginning of Summer, was Limpid and without Taste.  
During Evaporation there were formed Concretions of little Ruddish Mucilages, and the whole being evaporated, there remained only a little Ruddish Earth, without manifest Brackishness.  
This Earth having been strongly burnt in the Fire, received no apparent Change.  

Of the Water of Belesme, in Normandy.  This Water, being taken in the Month of July, was Limpid and Insipid.  
During Evaporation it continued Limpid till towards the end, when there appeared on the Surface of the remainder a certain subtle Film: There remained at last very little Grey, Insipid Earth, and somewhat Rugged to the Feeling.  

Of the Water of Verberie, near Compiegne.  This Water, taken at the end of June, was Limpid and without Taste.  
There was found at the bottom of the Bottles a little Ruddy Sediment, and what was made by Evaporation was in very little Quantity; being a Ruddy, Leafy Earth, and without Brackishness.   

The Sixth CLASS.  
Of Cold Waters having a Ferruginous, or Austere Taste.  
OF this sort are the Waters of Forges, S. Paul de Roven, Bourberouge, Menitove, Pont-Normand, Montbosq, Hebecrevon, Provins, Apougny, and Vahls.  

Of the Water of Forges in Normandy.  These Waters, being taken at the end of the Summer, had a Taste somewhat Ferruginous.  
The several Waters of la Source royal, la Reynette, la Cardinale, being evaporated apart, did all leave very little Sediment, of a Dark-Ruddy Colour, somewhat Brackish, and what little Salt they had was like Common Salt, and had no resemblance to Vitriol; their Earth's were also Ferruginous.  

Of the Water of S. Paul de Roven.  This Water, taken toward the end of the Month of June, was Limpid and without any manifest Taste, except a light Roughness, which impressed a Dryness upon the Tongue. There was found at the bottom of the Bottles a small Quantity of Light Sediment, of a Yellowish Colour, inclining towards Ruddy.  
During Evaporation there were formed Ruddy Mucilages, which precipitated to the bottom, and there stuck to the sides of the Vessels a little Ruddy Earth, the whole in very little Quantity, and without manifest Brackishness.  
This Earth, being put into distilled Vinaigre, made it to take a Hyacinth-Colour, but what gave it that Colour, did afterwards precipitate in a Brown Powder.  

Of the Waters of Bourberouge, Menitove, Pont-Normand, near Mortain, in Normandy.  These Waters of l' Election de Mortain, in Normandy, were taken in the Springtime. The Water of Bourberouge hath received its Name from the Ruddy Earth, which is found in its Rivulet resembling Rust of Iron. It was Limpid, and of a Taste somewhat Ferruginous.  
Being evaporated, it left about the Vessels a slight Ruddish Crust, of a Saline Taste, and at the bottom another small whitish and Insipid Crust.  
The Waters of Menitove and Pont-Normand were found altogether like to that of Bourberouge.  

Of the Water of Montbosq, in l'Election de Bayeux.  This Water, being taken in the Springtime, was very Limpid, and of a Taste somewhat resembling that of Iron.  
The Sediment which it left after Evaporation was only a little Ruddy Earth, of the Taste of Common Salt.  

Of the Water of Hebecrevon, near S Lo, in L'Election de Carantan.  This Water, being likewise taken in the Springtime, had a Taste manifestly Ferruginous.  
In Evaporation it left very little Sediment; which was only a little Ruddish and Saline Earth, sticking to the sides of the Vessels.  

Of the Water of Provins.  The Water of Provins from the Fountain de la Croix, being taken at the end of Summer, was troubled, and of a Ferruginous Taste.  
During Evaporation by a gentle Heat, the Surface was covered with many Grey Films, distinct from one another. There was made a Precipitation of a little subtle Earth, of the Colour of Iron-Rust, which stuck to the sides of the Vessels, which after Evaporation were found lined therewith; and above this lining of Rust were the Grey Films. That part of this Red Earth, which stuck uppermost in Circular form, was somewhat Brackish, and grew moist by the Air; and what was lowest toward the bottom of the Vessels, was not Brackish, and did not grow moist. The whole being dried and put together weighed only 1/1194.  
There being poured Water upon this Sediment, in order to dissolve the Salt which it contained, and the dissolution being filtrated thro' Grey Paper, and the greatest part of the Water evaporated, there was made a Grey Sediment; and the Liquor being poured into another Vessel to be still in part evaporated, and afterward being exposed to the Air, there was condensed a little Salt in broad, flat Grains, having the Taste of Common Salt. This Salt had nothing Aluminous nor Vitriolic, neither had it resemblance to any thing but that part of Sal-Marine, which is Chrystallized thro' Cold and in a Humid.  
The Earth of the Sediment of this Water in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre, which it turned Yellow. Being burnt in the Fire, it took a Colour more Brown, and seemed to resemble the Rust of Iron.  

Of the Water of Apougny, near Seignelay, in Burgundy.  This Water, being taken in the Springtime, was Limpid, and of a Ferruginous Taste.  
During Evaporation, there were separated Ruddish Earth's, very Light, in Flakes, which did swim in the middle of the Water, and afterwards stuck to the sides of the Vessels. These Earth's being dried had a little Brackishness, and their Quantity was very small.  

Of the Water of Vahls, in Dauphiné, from the Spring called lafoy Dominique.  This Water, taken in the Month of May, did seem very singular, and much different from other Ferruginous Waters, having somewhat Vitriolic.  
It was Limpid and without Scent; but its Taste was Vinous and Styptic, like to that of a small White-Wine, wherein a little Vitriol is dissolved. It's Stypticity was strong and disagreeable. It took a Black Colour, drawing towards Blue, with Galls; as doth Water wherein English Vitriol hath been dissolved. It made the Tincture of Tournesole of a Red Purple Colour, as doth the said Vitriol; but being mixed with the Liquor of Salt of Tartar, it made no Precipitation, as it doth with Vitriol, and the whole Liquor became very Green. There was made at the bottom of the Bottles a little Yellowish Sediment, as happens in Water wherein there is a Ferruginous Vitriol.  
This Water being put in Alembics to distil by a gentle Heat, as soon as it began to become Tepid, it lost its first Taste, and was no longer Acid; but retained only a Ferruginous Taste. What distilled in the beginning was Insipid, and also what followed, and the whole resembled simple Water. There remained only 1/1000 Greyish Substance, which had some resemblance to Vitriol lightly Calcined; having the Taste, but more gentle. This Saline substance being dissolved in Common Water, and mixed with the Liquor of Salt of Tartar, became Black as Ink, with a certain Precipitation. Vitriol doth not make the like Blackness with the Liquor of Salt of Tartar.  
Those who have drunk this Water, have found it Heavy on the Stomach, and Emetic, and that it purgeth downwards, and makes their Stools Black.   

The Seventh CLASS.  
Of Cold Waters, having a Taste somewhat Aigre or Vinous, which participate of Common Salt, or have no Salt at all.  
OF this sort were the Waters of Chastelguyon, Bess, S. Pierre, lafoy Trauliére, Vernet, Chanonat, S. Pardoux, S. Parise, and Rueilly.  

Of the Water of Chastelguyon, near Rion, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken in the beginning of Springtime, was Limpid, but had made some whitish Sediments in the Bottles. It's Taste did a little incline to somewhat Aigre, and was a little Vinous.  
During Evaporation there were formed on the Surface White Films, very Thick, which covered it all over; but afterwards precipitated to the bottom of the Vessels in thick Scales. The Sediment was 1/17●, one Moiety whereof was Salt, the other Earth.  
This Salt was very Acrimonious, and might be compared to that part of Sal-Marine, which is not Condensed thro' Cold and in a Humid, which was known by mixing it with the Liquor of Salt of Tartar, which it caused to coagulate. This Salt being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, fumed and produced a Scent of the Spirit of Common Salt.  
The Earth of this Sediment in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre. It contracted somewhat of Brackishness in the Fire, and changed its Whiteness in a Yellowish Colour.  

Of the Water of Bess, near Mont d' Or, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken at the beginning of the Springtime, was Limpid, and of a very strong Vinous Taste.  
During a Gentle Evaporation it was observed, that there were formed on its Surface very little Greyish Films, and that some Ruddish Powder stuck to the sides of the Vessels. There remained at last at the bottom a Whitish, Leafy Earth, almost Insipid, which amounted to 1/645 of the weight of the Water. There could be separated from thence but very little Salt, which did resemble that of the Water of Chastelguyon.  
This Earth being freed from its Salt, and strongly burnt in the Fire, became somewhat Reddish; and before it was put on the Fire, it in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre.  
As for the Vinous Taste of this Water, although it was very strong, yet it was soon lost by the heat of the Fire; as was that of other Mineral▪ Waters, which were somewhat Aigre and less Vinous. In the distillation what passed in the beginning was Insipid, as also what passed in the middle, and end thereof.  

Of the Water of S. Pierre de Clermont, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken at the beginning of the Springtime, was Limpid, but had made some Whitish Sediments in the Bottles. It's Taste inclined to somewhat Aigre and Vinous.  
During Evaporation there were formed on its Surface White Films, which precipitated in little Flakes. The whole dry Sediment amounted to 1/240 of the weight of the Water, whence was drawn almost a Moiety of Salt, resembling that part of Sal-Marine, which is Chrystallized thro' Cold and in a Humid, and which mixeth without trouble with Alcalies, or fixed Sulphurous Salts of Plants dissolved in Common Water.  
The Earth of this Sediment being freed from its Salt, as much as could be by hot Water, dissolved with great effervescence in Spirit of Vinaigre. It contracted in the Fire a Remarkable Brackishness, and its Whiteness became Greyish.  

Of the Water of Chanonat, near Clermont, in Auvergne.  This Water, being taken in Springtime, was very Limpid, and inclining to somewhat Aigre.  
It left after Evaporation a little Whitish Sediment, which was heaped together in little Flakes, amounting to about 1/1830, without mixture of any manifest Salt.  
This Earth dissolved almost wholly with an Effervescence in Spirit of Vinaigre, and became Reddish in the Fire.  

Of the Water of Vernet, near Senectaire, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken in the Beginning of the Springtime, was very Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre and Vinous.  
In Evaporation its whole Surface was covered with a Fat Film. The Sediment was in very small Quantity; consisting of a little Leafy, Greyish and Insipid Earth, which in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre; and being burnt in the Fire, its Colour was darkened.  

Of the Water of S. Pardoux, in Bourbonnois.  This Water, being taken in the Springtime, was also somewhat Aigre and Vinous.  
Being evaporated, it likewise left a small Quantity of Insipid Earth.  

Of the Water of la Trauliére, near S. Pardoux.  This Water, taken in the beginning of Springtime, was Limpid, its Taste was somewhat Aigre and Piquant.  
It was evaporated without Films, without Flakes, and without being troubled, and left a little Earthy Sediment of an Ash-Colour, and of a Taste somewhat Saline. The small Quantity of Salt which it contained, was found to resemble that part of Sal-Marine which is Chrystallized thro' Cold and in a Humid: Forasmuch as it troubled not the Dissolutions of Alcalies and true Nitres.  

Of the Water of S. Parise, in Nivernois.  This Water, taken in the Springtime, was Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre, which left a certain Harshness on the Tongue.  
During Evaporation there were formed on the Surface Broad and White Films. The whole Sediment was 1/307 of the weight of the Water; consisting of a Whitish, Leafy Earth, without mixture of Salt. It was dissoluble in distilled Vinaigre, and changed not in the Fire.   

The Eighth CLASS.  
Of Cold Waters somewhat Aigre and Vinous, which participate of a Salt resembling the Nitre of the Ancients.  
OF this Quality are the Waters of Pougues, S. Mion, S. Floret, Pont-Gibault, Josse, S. Arban, Camarets, and Vahls.  

Of the Water of Pougues, in Nivernois.  This Water, taken in the Springtime, was Limpid, of an Acid Taste, and disagreeable to drink.  
During Evaporation its Surface was covered with White Films, which stuck to the sides of the Vessels, according as the Water diminished. There remained at last a Whitish, Leafy Sediment, of a Saline Taste, amounting to 1/492 of the weight of the Water; whence was drawn almost 1/3 Salt, having the Qualities of the true Nitre, which were known by Experiments like to those, which were made on the Salt of the Hot Water of Bourbon L' Archam bault.  
This Salt, being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, took a bright Red Colour, which it kept being cooled. The Earth of this Sediment in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre.  

Of the Water of S. Mion, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken in the Springtime, was Limpid, somewhat Aigre, and Vinous.  
During Evaporation there were formed some White Films, swimming on its Surface, which afterwards by degrees precipitated, and stuck to the sides of the Vessels, there being also made some little Flakes in the middle of the Water. There remained at last a White, Cloddy Substance, of a Taste very Lixivial, the weight whereof was 1/300 of the weight of the Water; whence was separated almost 2/3 Salt, which was Nitrous as that of the Water of Pougues.  
This Salt being melted in a Crucible became only Greyish. The Earth of the Sediment dissolved with Effervescence in distilled Vinaigre; and being burnt in the Fire, became a little Reddish.  
The Experiments on this Water having been resumed at the instance of a Person of Great Quality, who affirmed to have received benefit by the Use thereof, which he designed to repeat; it was observed that the Water sent by him was Limpid and somewhat Aigre. It took no Colour with Galls, and its weight exceeded not that of the Water of the Fountains of Paris, which come from the Springs of Rongis, by above 1/502. And although this Water had no more sensible Acidity to the Taste, yet it turned the Blue Tincture of Tournesole somewhat into Red, giving it a Purple Colour. This Water being put to Distillation in Balneo Mariae, what passed first in very little Quantity, did turn the Tincture of Tournesole less Red, but it somewhat troubled the Water of the Dissolution of Mercury Sublimate; which it did not before Distillation, nor did that which afterwards distilled. What came at last did not turn Red the Tincture of Tournesole; and although it troubled not the Dissolution of Mercury Sublimate, it remarkably troubled that of Vitriol, and precipitated thence a Yellowish Powder. What remained of Earth and Salt, after Distillation, was found like to what was observed and related before.  

Of the Water of S. Floret, near S. Cirque, in Auvergne.  This Water, taken in the Spring-season, was Limpid and somewhat Aigre.  
During Evaporation there were amassed together certain little Ruddish Flakes, which sticking to the sides of the Vessels formed Gross Scales. The Sediment was found Ruddish, Leafy, and Saline: It amounted to 1/313, whence was drawn almost 1/2 Salt, resembling the true Nitre.  
This Salt, being melted in a Crucible on the Fire, became Ruddy; and the Earth of the Sediment being freed from the Salt, dissolved almost wholly in distilled Vinaigre with great Effervescence, and contracted in the Fire a certain Brackishness, and Yellowish Colour.  

Of the Water of Pont-Gibault, in Auvergne  This Water, taken in the Springtime, as all the others of Auvergne which were sent to the Academy, was Limpid, somewhat Aigre, and Vinous.  
During Evaporation there appeared no Concretion till towards the end, when there remained a White Sediment; the weight whereof was 1/556 of the weight of the Water: Wherein was found a little more than 1/2 Nitrous Salt, resembling that of the Water of S. Mion.  
The Earth of this Sediment in part dissolved in distilled Vinaigre with an Effervescence; and became a little Brown in the Fire, without receiving any other manifest Alteration.  

Of the Water of Josse, lez Maringues.  The Water sent from Josse in the Springtime, was of two Springs, the one called le Petit Bovillon, the other le Grand Bovillon.  
The former was very Limpid, of a Taste somewhat Aigre, a little Vinous; leaving on the Tongue an Impression of Dryness.  
During Evaporation there were formed on the Surface little Films, which precipitated in small Flakes, and stuck to the sides of the Vessels. The dry Sediment amounted to 1/345 of its weight; whence was extracted more than 1/● Ruddish Salt, of a Lixivial Scent, and which was discovered to be Nitrous. It became Bluish after having been melted in the Fire.  
The Earth freed from this Salt, in part dissolved, with an Effervescence, in distilled Vinaigre, and changed not its Colour by the Fire.  
The Water of the latter had a Vinous Taste, stronger than the other; but its Sediments were alike, and its Salt likewise Nitrous.  

Of the Water of S Arban, in Forest.  This Water, taken in the Springtime, was very Limpid, somewhat Aigre, and a little Vinous.  
During Evaporation, made by a gentle heat, there were formed on the Surface whitish Films, Subtle, Insipid, and Sandy, being Rough to the Feeling and Taste, as a very fine Sand. The whole dry Sediment was 1/640 Whitish, Leafy Substance, of a Lixivial Taste; whence was drawn about 1/2 Nitrous Salt, condensed in Thick Tablets.  
The Earth of this Sediment dissolved almost wholly, with an Effervescence, in distilled Vinaigre, and took by the Fire a small Redness as of Clear-Lacque.  

Of the Water of Pont de Camarets, in Languedoc.  At Pont de Camarets, between the Dioceses of S. Pons, Alby, and Castres', there are two Springs of Cold Water, distant two hundred Paces one from another, the highest called the Spring of Andabre, the lowest the Spring of Prugniez; the former, being sent in the Month of May, was Limpid, and of a Taste a little Vinous.  
Being put to evaporate, there were formed no Films on its Surface, but there precipitated a Whitish Earth in little Flakes. The dry Sediment was found to be 1/262, having more than 3/4 Nitrous Salt.  
The Earth of this Sediment being put in distilled Vinaigre, dissolved almost wholly with an Effervescence. Being strongly burnt in a Crucible on the Fire, it became almost Vitrified. Another part of this Earth being mixed with an equal part of its Salt, and put on the Fire to melt, in part pierced thro' the Crucible, which was found on the outside, as it were, lined with a Brown Email, and the inside of the Crucible was covered with a Clear-Red Email. The remainder of this substance became White at the bottom of the Crucible, after having swelled very much.  
The other Water was very Limpid, and of a Taste more Vinous than the former; during Evaporation there were not formed any Films swimming on the Surface but only little White Flakes, which precipitated to the bottom. The wholedry Sediment was 1/384 of the weight of the Water; and that Quantity was proportionally less than that of the Sediment of the Water of Andabre. It contained also less Salt, which was only a Moiety; being Nitrous as the other, and its Earth was less Dissoluble in distilled Vinaigre, and less Fusible in the Fire.  

Of the Water of Vahls, from the Springs la Marquis, and la Marie.  Near Vahls, in Dauphiné, there are four Springs of Mineral Water, which are, lafoy Dominique, S. Jean, la Marquis, & la Marie.  
The Water of the first being different from the other, the Experiments thereon have been referred to the Sixth Class.  
The Water of the Spring of S. Jean, said to be a little Tepid and somewhat Aigre, was not sent to the Academy, because it had the same Qualities with the latter, being only a little more weak.  
The Water of la Marquis, the Spring whereof is near that of S. Jean, is Cold. 'Tis said its Taste is somewhat Aigre, and a little stronger than that of S. Jean; and that it purges more, as well by Siege as Urine. When we received this Water, its Taste seemed rather Brackish than Acid, and it was judged that the Acidity which it hath in its Spring was weakened by Carriage.  
After Evaporation it left only a Nitrous Salt without mixture of Earth; being 1/135, White, and very Lixivial. It precipitated in a Minim Colour Mercury Sublimate dissolved in common Water, as doth Salt of Tartar, and made a great Effervescence with the Spirit of Common Salt, as do the Acrimonious Sulphurous Salts.  
The Water of the Spring la Marie, which is not far from la Marquis, hath more Acidity than the other, according to report, and makes those who drink of it to urine more. We found therein no Acidity, but only a little Brackishness, as in the former. The Salt of its Sediment was found alike, and in less Quantity; being only 1/197.   

Additions of the Mineral Waters of Chartres and Spa.  
THe designed Impression of these Observations having been a long time hindered; in order to join this Treatise with other Works of the Naturalists of this Assembly, hath given occasion to add here the Experiments made on a Mineral Water lately discovered near the City of Chartres, and also on the Water of Spa, which was brought for the use of the Queen.  

Of the Water of Chartres, in Beausse.  This Water being brought to the Laboratory of the King's Library, toward the end of the Summer, scented somewhat of the Mud. It took not with Galls that dark Red, which is said that it takes, newly from its Spring▪ Which happens to several weak Mineral Waters, which presently lose that disposition in the Air.  
Being put to distil by a gentle heat, what passed first differed very little from what distilled last, and the whole appeared nothing different from Common Water. The dry Sediment of lb viij. of this Water distilled, weighed only Gr. xx. which contained but Gr. iv. of a Ruddy and Gummous Salt, of an Acrimonious Taste, and resembling that of the Salt which is drawn from Common Earth. The remainder was a subtle Powder of a Grey Ruddish Colour, which dissolved not in distilled Vinaigre. There was perceived in this Water but little of Vaporous Sulphureity. This Water, according to the Observations made thereon, aught to be ranged in the Seventh Class.  
The Cures, which many Persons troubled with divers Distempers have said to have received by the Use thereof, have excited the Curious to examine well its Qualities upon the place, and the Conditions of its Springs. They have observed that this Water was found in several places of a Meadow near the Walls of the City, between the two Arms of the River, in certain Furrows, whence it springs, and runs towards one of the Channels. This Water being newly sprung out of the Earth, hath the Propriety of extracting a Tincture from Galls; but there are other Furrows, where the Water having no Course, loseth, by standing in the Air, this Propriety. And because in all the Ditches newly made in this Meadow, there is found Water having the same Taste, and doing the same effect with Galls, and that in some places of the Caussey which separateth the Channel of the River from the Meadow, there runs a Water which hath also this Propriety of extracting a Tincture from Galls, it hath been judged that all the Water of the Meadow comes from this River, and that it takes a Mineral Quality in passing thro' this Earth, which renders it wholesome and proper for the Cure of many Diseases; and that this Water may be so much the better, forasmuch as being before exposed to the Air in the Channel of the River, it hath not that Crudity which those Waters have which proceed from deep Earth's and Rocks.  
Whether its Mineral Quality be taken from the Earth of this Meadow, it were possible to discover somewhat by Experiment on this Earth, observed as well in its Surface as at bottom, if the soaking thro' of the Water of the River hindereth not the search.  

Of the Water of Spa.  This Water of Spa, brought into France, for the Use of the Queen about the end of Summer, and sent to the Laboratory of the King's Library, to be examined, was in four Bottles; one whereof was but half-full, having been ill stopped and the Water run out. The Water of this Bottle was a little troubled; and although it was still of a Taste moderately inclining to somewhat Aigre and Vinous, it tinctured not with Galls. The Water of the other three Bottles, which had been well stopped and were full, was very Limpid and of a Taste somewhat Aigre and Vinous. It took a Minim Colour with Galls.  
Being mixed with the Dissolution of Mercury Sublimate made in Common Water, it troubled and rendered it Milky; and mixed with the Dissolution of Germane Vitriol likewise made in Water, it troubled that also, and in a little time there was made a Precipitation of Ruddish, subtle Earth; as do those Waters wherein there is a Sulphurous Salt. The Acidity of this Water hindereth it not from troubling and precipitating Salt of Lead dissolved in Common Water: It made the Tincture of Tournesole to turn little Red, which a less Acidity turneth much: Which gives occasion to judge that the Acidity of this Water is not Simple.  
Being put to distil by a very gentle heat in a high Glass-Alembic, to separate the more Volatile and Subtle part, what passed first was not found different from what followed and what remained in the Cucurbite ceasing Distillation, after having drawn about 1/4; neither was there any Acidity in the whole Water. What remained in the Cucurbit having been put in an Earthen Vessel upon warm Ashes to evaporate gently, in order to observe whether there were made any Concretions during Evaporation; this Water remained always Limpid; and when there were no more than two Ounces in the Vessel, there were made new Essays, to know the Quality of the Salt therein, by putting a little of this Water as well in the Dissolution of Mercury Sublimate made in Common Water, which it troubled and made Milky, as on that of Germane Vitriol, which it also troubled with a certain Precipitation of Ruddish Earth, and also on Syrup of Violets, which became Green. All which Effects were Proofs of a Sulphurous Salt, confirming those drawn from the former Essays.  
The Vessel wherein the Evaporation was made, was found lined in its upper part near the edge, and all about, with a Saline Concretion, and lower toward the bottom it was lined with a Yellowish Earth almost Insipid, but a little Restringent.  
The Evaporation being finished, there remained of the whole Quantity of this Water, which was lb seven. ℥ vj. ʒuj. an Earthy and somewhat Saline Sediment, being all over the inward Surface of the Vessel. This Sediment being taken thence weighed only Gr. xlviij. whereof 3/4 were a Light, Subtle, Ruddish Earth, and 1/4 was a Sulphurous Salt, which caused Mercury Sublimate to precipitate of a White Colour, as doth the Salt of Marle, and also the Volatile Salts of Plants and Animals, and not of a Red or Orange Colour, as do the true Nitres and Alcalies. This Particularity would have obliged us to have made a Ninth Class, wherein to have placed this foreign Water, if we had found the like in France, to have filled it up.   

Advertisements and Corollaries.  
THe great Quantity of Mineral Water, which Physicians cause them to drink, to whom they prescribe the Use thereof, for the Cure of some Rebellious Diseases, which yield not to Ordinary Remedies; gives occasion to judge that the Principal Effect which they expect, is the cleansing of the Viscera by this Inward Washing. This Effect is considerable, because the most part of Chronical Diseases proceed from the Obstruction of the Viscera, which this great Quantity of Drink may resolve. The Ease, which many Patients receive, is the reason why few Physicians give themselves the trouble of searching the particular Qualities of these Waters; which are nevertheless very different, and considerable enough to deserve Inquiry, in order to make the better use of them, according to the Diversity of Diseases, and the different Constitution of the Diseased.  
'Tis easy to judge that all Waters of Running Springs; such as are the Mineral Waters which are used in Physic, may have particular different Qualities; if it be considered, that some of these Waters come from Places near the Surface of the Earth, others from certain Places more Deep. Those which have not been able to penetrate further, because of Beds of Stone, or Fat Earth, which happen underneath, rest on this sort of Bottoms, and run out only where they find any Passages. They have their Originals either from the fall of Rain-Waters, or by the Percolation of the Waters of Rivers and Lakes, or of the Sea, thro' the Neighbouring Earth's, or those which they can reach; and in traversing these Earth's, which are less compact, they dissolve the Salts which are there, and impregnate themselves with certain Subtle, Earthy Particles which are found by Evaporation. The Water which comes from Places more Deep, whither its Weight caused it to fall, according as it could pass, cannot rise again in its Liquid Consistence without force; but being rarified by some inward heat of the Earth, it riseth in Vapours; afterwards resuming its first and Natural Liquid Consistence, by the Cold toward the Surface of the Earth, in coming forth it produceth Springs, and also little Lakes on the highest Mountains, whither it may very well rise, since that it mounteth even to the middle Region of the Air, where Snow is formed, and whence Rain falls. These Waters being rarified in the Profundities of the Earth, whence they rise, receive easily Mixtures of Mineral Exhalations and Vapours, which are frequent in these Places; but these Mixtures being not often distinguished in these Waters rising from their Springs, either by Scent or Taste, cannot be understood but by their Effects; the Assignment whereof to their proper Causes is not always easy and certain.  
The Information, which we give here, of the Salts and Earth's of several Mineral Waters, will not fully satisfy the Curiosity of those who would be likewise instructed concerning the other Causes of the Proprieties of these Waters; since that besides the mixture of Concrete substances found in them, according to the Observations here related, there may also be contained substances not Concrete, so Subtle and so Volatile, that there can remain nothing in the Sediments which may be perceived to differ from the Salts and Earth's; and which is not at all found in what passes by Distillation. This Taste somewhat Aigre or Vinous, which is lost in the Air and by Heat, aught to have for its Subject a Spirituous and most Volatile Substance, which it were very desirable, were known. The Heat which some have in their Springs, and at coming out of the Earth, may be attributed to hot Vapours which are mixed with them in their Course thro' Subterraneous Profundities; where the Cold of the Air has no free access: And some particular Effects of these Waters on divers Subjects, give occasion to judge that they are not Pure and Simple. Wherefore the Academy hath proposed to labour, in order to the enquiry of these things, for the Satisfaction of the Curious and Public Benefit.  
In the mean while the Observations of the Salts and Earth's of these Waters may serve as well in Physic as for Mechanic Arts; to make a judgement of the fitness of some of these Waters for certain designed Uses.  
The two Genders of Salts, under which are ranged the Salts of those Waters, whereof hitherto hath been spoken, may possibly have Differences which divide each of these Genders into several Species; as the Naturalists of the Royal Academy have remarked in Salts drawn from the Ashes of several Plants; which have been observed some to resemble the true Nitre, others Common Salt, & to retain the participation of the Specific Proprieties of their Subjects.  
Some of the Earth's which are found together with these Salts in the Sediments of Mineral Waters evaporated or distilled, may have particular Uses, according to their Differences. Some Germans have remarked that the White Earth of the Mineral Water of Schwalbach is Purgative. They had in the Academy some Bottles of this Water, the Taste whereof was Vinous and Strong. The Salt of its Sediment was Nitrous, and caused Mercury Sublimate dissolved in Common Water to precipitate in a 
* Nacarate.  deep Crimson, as do the Alcalies of Plants. The Earth separated from this Sediment was White as Chalk, but there was not Quantity enough to make Experiment of its Purgative Faculty, and we had neglected to observe this in several like Earth's taken from the Nitrous Waters of this Kingdom. The true Nitre of the Ancients, being Sulphurous, and having resemblance to the Alcalies of Plants, hath likewise this Propriety, with them, to move by Siege. And this White Earth which is found with Nitrous Salts of Mineral Waters may participate of the same Quality, even as the Coagulum of the Salt of Tartar made by the Second part of Sal-Marine, retains some Properties of its Salt, although it be Insipid, and not Dissoluble in Water, but only in Acid Liquors, such as is distilled Vinaigre, which dissolves it with an Effervescence; the like whereof hath been observed in several White Earth's of Nitrous Mineral Waters.  
As to the Observation of the Tastes of the Waters brought to us, we have been only able to judge, by what hath been remarked by tasting them at their arrival. They who are upon the Place of their Springs may better make a distinction, particularly in those which are somewhat Aigre and Vinous, the Taste whereof is either weakened or lost by being kept or exposed to the Air. They may also better perceive the Degrees of their Colouring with Powders of Galls, Oak-leaves, Myrobalans, Pomegranate-barks, and other like substances; and also judge more precisely of their Consistence and Weight. The Naturalists of the Royal Academy have not been able to observe exactly all these things in the Waters which have been sent them from distant Places, and which might have received several Changes as well by Time as Carriage, both in their Taste and Disposition to take Colours with certain Substances, and in their Consistence more or less Thin and Subtle. The Method which they have followed in their Experiments on the Waters which have been sent them, may be serviceable to those who will examine them at their Springs, in order to gain a more exact knowledge of them.  
This Vaporous Substance of Mineral Waters, which are somewhat Aigre and Vinous, is probably the first Being of Mineral Sulphur, and of the Concretions thence arising. There are found Earth's impregnated with this Acid, Vaporous, Sulphurous Substance, from the Concretion whereof are sometimes made Sulphurous and Vitriolic Minerals. And for the most part there is not made any Mineral Concretion discernible in these Earth's, where there is not found either Mineral Sulphur, or Vitriol, or Metal. This Mineral, Vaporous, and Indigested Substance may very well be the Principle of Vitriol, but in its first state it cannot be a Vitriolic Product, if it be in those Earth's where there is not already somewhat of Vitriol. It is more easy to observe it in its Products, when it hath received some Mineral Concretion. The Humid Air penetrating into the Mineral Stones, which are Insipid, but impregnated with a Mineral Sulphur, which is easily perceived when 'tis disengaged by Fire, does manifestly give to the Taste a Sulphurous Acidity, which before was not sensible. And of the Concrete Sulphur of these Mineral Stones or Marchasites penetrated by the Humid Air, is made a Concrete, Vitriolic Juice, which is the Product of this Mineral Sulphur, the Principle whereof hath been an Acid and most Vaporous Substance. Which also hath been observed in many Clayie Earth's exposed to the Air, which dissolving into Powder, contracted at first an Acidity more sensible to the Nose than to the Tongue; afterwards there were made Sulphurous and Inflammable Concretions, and at length Saline Concretions which were reduced to Vitriol.  
This Subtle, Vaporous Substance, Acid, or rather Harsh, produceth not always Vitriolic Concretions; and it happens in many Earth's that thro' default of requisite dispositions it remains in its first Being. Then it is not a Vapour of Vitriol, and the Mineral Waters which pass thro' the Earth's where this Subtle Matter is found, and which contract an Acidity by mixture therewith, ought not to be called Vitriolic. We have observed in many Waters impregnated with this Acid Vapour, that nevertheless there was not found there any true Vitriol, or any Substance resembling Alum, and that the Salt which remained in their Sediments was a Nitre, such as the Ancients have described, and which is as far different from Vitriol and Alum, as are Alcalies, or fixed Sulphurous Salts of Plants.  
The Salts, Vitriols, Alums, and other Concrete Substances dissoluble in Water, may be so mixed with Mineral Waters, that they may not be much perceivable except in their Sediments; but the Sulphurs and Bitumen are always easy to be discerned in the Waters wherein they are contained, because they either settle or swim on the Surface, being not capable of mixture as the Salts. We have not perceived any in the Waters which have been sent us. Those which were the Hottest in their Springs have not seemed to us more Sulphurous and Bituminous than the others. And if there is found any Sulphur or Bitumen in their Basins upon the sides of their Receptacles, or in their Mud, it may be that these are not those Inflammable Substances in the Earth which have rendered them Hot. It is more probable that they contract this Heat by the mixture of some Hot Vapours, which they meet with in Deep places thro' which they pass. Experience doth sufficiently show that no Combustible matter takes Fire, or keeps it long without Air; and that to extinguish the Fire of Sulphurs and Bitumens' inflamed, it is enough to hinder them from the Communication of the Air, by covering well the Vessels which contain these Substances. The Sulphurs which burn in Certain Cavities of Mountains discovered do not take Fire, but in those places where they take Air; and when that which lies open is spent, the Fire ceases in what remains covered, although it be equally Combustible. And if some Substances take a Fire strong enough not to be stifled under Ground, it causeth what covereth it to crack, to give itself Vent and take Air, as doth Powder in Mines.  
If there are not perpetual Subterraneous Fires, the Heat of some Mineral Waters, which continue to be Hot in their Springs, cannot be attributed to them. It is more probable that there are in several places of the Earth Hot Vapours and Exhalations, the Heat whereof is preserved in places Deep and Close, where the Air doth not penetrate to cool them, and where these substances Rarified have not room enough to distend themselves more, and suffer some weakening of their Heat, or Dissipation by a more great Rarefaction. But the Heat of these Vapours may be augmented by their pressing together in Close Passages, whereinto they insinuate themselves; and if they meet with Waters running thro' the same Passages, they may heat them by mixing with them.  
There have been made some Observations which give occasion to judge that the Waters of Hot Springs and Natural Baths are made warm by Hot Vapours which pass with them.  
I. That these Hot Mineral Waters burn not the Mouth and Tongue of those who drink of them at their coming forth from their Springs, as Common Water heated by Fire to a like Degree would do. Which seems to proceed from the Subtlety of the Substance which produceth this Heat in the Water. The Flame of Spirit of Wine burns not the Hand so strongly, as that of a burning Coal.  
II. That the Heat of Mineral Waters doth not act on some tender substances, as doth that of Common Water raised by Fire to the same Degree; for it hath been seen that Dock-Leaves, which were softened and boiled easily enough in Common Water, moderately heated on the Fire, did not soften in the Mineral Waters of Neris in Bourbonnois, which are the Hottest in France, and which are rendered difficult to drink by the excess of their Heat; but these Leaves only changed Colour, and became Yellowish, like dead dried Leaves. Which gives occasion to judge that this Heat proceeds from some Vapour or Exhalation different from Water, and more proper to dry than to soften, as doth Common Water, which humects.  
III. That these Waters are more Hot in their Springs by Night than by Day. Which may be caused by the Cool of the Air, which hindereth the Dissipation of the Hot Vapours and Exhalations which are mixed with them.  
iv That these Waters being exposed to the Air, from out their Springs, cooled not so soon as doth Common Water heated by Fire. Because the Cold Air, which maketh the Motion excited by the Fire in Common Water soon to cease, keeps in the Hot Vapours which warm the Mineral Waters by their mixture, and hindereth them from dispersing so soon.  
V That Hot Mineral Waters have no more Disposition to Boyl on the Fire than Common Cold Waters, there being as much time required to cause the one to boil as the other. Which clearly shows that the Heat which Mineral Water's contract in the Earth, proceeds not from a Motion of their Particles excited by any Subterraneous Fire; for this Motion being continued and augmentted by the Fire of a Chimney or Furnace, would cause them to boil sooner than those which being Cold have not that Disposition by a Motion Commenced. Wherefore the Heat of Mineral Waters proceeds from certain Warm Vapours or Exhalations mingled with them, which the Fire drives away before they can boil thereon.  
If there is without Fire in the Earth, any Heat strong enough to warm the Waters of some Springs, it must necessarily be that this Heat, which is communicated to Waters which are Warm from some Thousands of Years, and perhaps have ever been so, in order to perpetuate self, keeps in Deep places, and far distant from the Surface of the Earth, where the Air which encompasseth that, might weaken it by its Cold, which seems to be the most extreme. According to this supposition, the Difference of Waters of Hot and Cold Springs, whereof some are observed to make like Sediments, and to have Salts of the same Species, should proceed from this, that these Waters pass in the Earth thro' Places more or less Deep. We observe that Waters which run on the Surface of the Earth are Cold, unless warmed by the Sun, and we find not any Heat very manifest in the parts of the Earth which are not very Deep: Which gives occasion to judge that what there is of Heat remarkable in the Earth, aught to be placed far therein.  
It is not easy to comprehend the Qualities of these Vapours or Exhalations which mix with Mineral Waters and warm them. It seems not necessary that they should be all Bituminous or Sulphurous, though some are such. At Ain lafoy Chapelle are found Flowers of Sulphur raised upon the Walls of Hot Springs which are there; and in the Burning Fountain of Dauphiné is seen a Flame which Issues forth with the Water, and which probably was not Flame under the Earth, where it had not Air enough to burn, and scarcely the Water which issues forth with it is heated. But in many other Springs of Hot Mineral Waters there is nothing seen either Sulphurous or Inflammable. There are many other Substances which are heated without taking Fire, the Vapours whereof mix with Hot Mineral Waters, but their Qualities are not understood but by the effects which they produce.  
The Royal Academy of the Sciences has not had Opportunities to observe the divers Effects of Mineral Waters, as well Hot, as Tepid and Cold, by employing them to different Uses. The Observations of the Effects of these Waters on Persons who use them in Drinking, Bathing, Pumping, Washing, Embrocation, etc. are reserved for the Physicians, whose Duty it is to know the Particular Constitutions of those Persons, and the State of their Health Declining or Improving. As for the Uses in Mechanical Arts, it may be easy to remark what one or other sorts of these Waters can do, in the steeping of Hemp, whitening of Linen, dying of Wool and Silk, dressing of Leather, tempering of Iron, boiling of Pease and such like, watering of Plants, watering of Cattle, etc.  
As for the Observations, concerning the different Weights and Consistences of Mineral Waters, they may be better made on the Places of their Springs, where they are not yet altered, either in Composition or Consistence; which they certainly are, being carried and kept, having lost some part of those Vaporous substances which being mixed with them, made their Consistence more Thin and Subtle; or having contracted some Corruption which hath rendered them more Thick and almost Mucilaginous; or having made a Precipitation of some Mineral Earthiness, which being imperceptibly mixed with them, renders them less Subtle, and which is not ordinarily separated when they are drunk fresh, at which time they are judged more efficacious than when they are kept.  
The Instruments used by the Academy to observe the Weight and Consistence of Liquors, were the Araiometre and the Compound Balance.  
The Araiometre is a little hollow Globe of Glass, having in its bottom a small Cavity to contain so much Quicksilver as is necessary to make this Globe sink in the Liquor wherein it may be put. In its upper part is a little Pipe an Inch long; and at the end of this Pipe there is a small Scale to receive the adjusted Weights, which cause it to sink in different Liquors to a certain Mark made in the middle of this Pipe. By this Instrument put in several Liquors is found not only whether their Consistence be different, but also how much the Difference is, by the Observation of the Weight of the Instrument, and of that which is put in the Scale, to make it sink equally in divers Liquors.  
The Compound Balance is an ordinary Balance, moving easily, and very exact; to one of the Scales whereof is hung by some Horsehairs a Cylinder of Tin or Leton well polished, having about four Inches Height and as much Diametre, to be able to take up in the Water the space which a Pint of Liquor of Paris Measure would take, and of such a weight that it may sink in all sorts of Waters. This Cylinder being put in the Water the Weight and Consistence whereof is to be observed, there is put in the other opposite Scale of the Balance so much weight as is necessary to keep the two Scales Equipoised; and according to the difference of Weight, which is requisite to keep this equal Poise in divers Waters, judgement may be made of the difference of their Consistence and Weight in like Quantity. And to know what is the Weight of this Quantity of Water which the Cylinder takes up, the Weight put in the opposite Scale is to be substracted from that of the Cylinder. This may be practised on Mineral Waters taken at their Springs, and presently examined.  
The like Observations may be made on Common Waters, in ordinary Use, as well for drinking, as dressing of Victuals, to the end that by the knowledge of their Properties judgement may be made what they contribute towards Health. These Waters, ordinarily called Common, in distinction from Mineral, being not altogether Pure and Simple, may have acquired divers Proprieties by the diversity of Mixtures which in them are made, either in the Air or Earth. And although they contain none of those Species of Minerals which may be referred to the middle Mineral or Metallic Gender, the participation whereof gives the Name of Mineral to those Waters which are impregnated therewith; nevertheless they have something Mineral: for the Salts and Earth's, which are always mixed with them, are Mineral Productions. And in the most part of the Waters sent for Mineral, whereon the Observations made in the Royal Academy are here related, there was found only Salt and Earth in different Proportions. The distinction between the Waters of this sort which are used only medicinally, and those which are commonly made Use of in order to Aliment, depending only upon More or Less of these mixtures. The Common Waters, which are esteemed the best, are the most Subtle, Light, and less Mixt.  
FINIS.    

ADVERTISEMENT.  
Martini Lister, è S. R. Lond. de Fontibus Medicatis Angliae, Exercitationes Duae. Londini. 1684. in 8ᵒ.  
THe Design of this Ingenious Author being to show that in the several Mineral Waters of England, whereon he had made Experiment, were found only two sorts of Salts, viz. Common Salt, and a sort of Nitre, called by him Nitrum Calcarium; and only two sorts of Sediments, viz. Ochre and Chalk-stone; it may not be improper to mention this Book as confirming the Experiments of our French Virtuosos.   

A TABLE Of the WATERS, The Qualities whereof are examined in this Book.  

A  
THe Water of Andabre, at Pont de Camarets, in Languedoc, P. 96.  
Of Apougny, near Seignelay, in Burgundy, 82.  
Of Availles, in Poictou, 70.  
Of Autevil, near Paris, 72.   

B.  
The Water of Bagniéres, in la Bigorre, 45.  
Of Balleruc, in Languedoc, 43.  
Of Barbazan, in le Commingeois, 44.  
Of Bardon, near Moulins, 62.  
Of Baréges, in la Bigorre, 44.  
Of Belesme, in Normandy, 77.  
Of Bess, near Mont d' Or, in Auvergne, 86.  
Of Biéure, near Paris, 73.  
Of Bourberouge, near Mortain, in Normandy, 79.  
Of Bourbon Lancy, in Bourbonnois, 36.  
Of Bourbon L' Archambault, in Bourbonnois, 51.  
Of Bourbonne, in Champagne, 49.  
Of la Bourboule, in the Parish of Murat de Quairs, 41.   

C.  
The Water of Capvert, in la Bigorre, 69.  
Of Chanonat, near Clermont, in Auvergne, 87.  
Of Chartres, in Beausse, 99  
Of Chasteau-Gontier, in Anjou, 73.  
Of Chastelguyon, near Rion, in Auvergne, 85.  
Of Chaudesaigues, in the High Country of Auvergne, 54.   

D.  
The Water of Digne, in Provence, 48.   

E.  
The Water of Encausse, in le Commingeois, 60.  
Of Evos, in Combrailles, from the Great Spring of the Baths, 42.  
Of Evos, from the little Spring of the Town, 57   

F.  
The Water of Fonsrovilleuse, in Saintonge, 76.  
Of Forges, in Normandy, 78.   

H.  
The Water of Hebecrevon, near S. Lo, in Normandy, 80.   

I.  
The Water of Jaude, in Auvergne, 67.  
Of Ionas, at Bourbon l'Archambault, 70.  
Of Josse, lez Maringues, 94.   

M.  
The Water of Man's, 77.  
Of Martres de Veyre, in Auvergne, 66.  
Of Menitove, in Normandy, 79.  
Of Montbosq, in Normandy, 80.  
Of Mont d' Or, in Auvergne, 55.  
Of Montendre, in Saintonge, 76.   

N.  
The Water of Neris, in Bourbonnois, 56.   

P.  
The Water of Passi, near Paris. 72.  
Of Pons, in Saintonge, 75.  
Of Pont-Gibault, in Auvergne, 93.  
Of Pont-Normand, in Normandy, 79.  
Of Pougues, in Nivernois, 90.  
Of Premeau, in Burgundy, near Nuits. 60.  
Of Provins, 81.  
Of Prugniez, at Pont de Camerets, in Languedoc, 96   

R.  
The Water of la Rocheposay, in Touraine, 74.   

S.  
The Water of Sail lez Chasteau Morand, 58.  
Of S. Arban, in Forest, 95.  
Of S. Floret, near S. Cirque, in Auvergne, 93.  
Of S. Mion, in Auvergne, 91.  
Of S. Pardoux, in Bourbonnois, 88  
Of S. Parise, in Nivernois, 89.  
Of S. Paul de Roven, 79.  
Of S. Pierre de Clermont, in Auvergne, 87.  
Of S. Rein, in Burgundy, 71.  
Of Spa, in the Country of Liege, 102.   

T.  
The Water of la Trauliére, in Bourbonnois, 89.   

V  
The Water of Vahls, in Dauphiné, from the Spring called lafoy Dominique, 83.  
Of Vahls, from the Springs, la Marquis and la Marie, 97  
Of Vaujour, in the Duchy of la Valliere, 74.  
Of Verberie, near Compiegne, 77.  
Of Vernet, in Auvergne, 88  
Of Vic, in Carladois, 65.  
Of Vic le Comte, in Auvergne, 63.  
Of Vichy, in Bourbonnois, de la Grille, 57  
Of Vichy, from the Great Basin, and the little Basins, 62.   
FINIS.