Notes on the chemical geology of the gold-fields of California / by J. Arthur Phillips.

  • Phillips, J. Arthur (John Arthur), 1822-1887.
Date:
[1868]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on the chemical geology of the gold-fields of California / by J. Arthur Phillips. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Contents per Imperial Gallon. grs. Silica . 7*00 Alumina . 7-70 Oxide of iron . . . . traces Lime . I-96 Magnesia .... . I-41 Potash . 0-85 Soda . 1*26 Chlorine . 2*25 Sulphuric acid . . 25*86 The foregoing results may be rendered thus:— Contents ]jer Imjjerial Gallon. Silica grs. . 7*00 Tersulphate of alumina . 25*67 Sulphate of iron . trace ,, lime . 4*76 „ potash . . 1*57 „ soda . 2*87 „ magnesia . . 1*77 Chloride of magnesium . 3*01 Free sulphuric acid . 1-57 48*22 It is somewhat remarkable that this water, issuing from the ground in a boiling state, should at the same lime contain chlo- rides and free sulphuric acid; but it must be remembered that the acid is in an exceedingly dilute state, and that the water was collected immediately at the mouth of the aperture from which it emerged. It is probable that potash and soda may exist in the form of the bisulphates of those bases, since an excess of sulphuric acid is present. It was observed that where these acid waters flowed away at a temperature of above 200° F. several low forms of vegetation (l)robably Confervacem) ap})eared to flourish, but to become less abundant and less vigorous where the temperature had become considerably reduced. Steamboat Springs.—The most remarkable instance on the Pacific coast of the actual growth, on a large scale and at the present time, of mineral veins is probably that afforded by the boiling springs in Steamboat Valley, seven miles north-west to the Comstock silver vein and Virginia city. These springs are situated at a height of about 5000 feet above