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Show 191 tioned is the formation of a considerable quantity of sulphide of potassium* and sodium, if the water is kept in well- corked bottles for several months, in the dark. 100cc of such water were mixed with ammoniacal cuproammoninm sulphate and 0.024 grams sulphide of copper obtained, corresponding to 0.019 grams sulphide of sodium. Of course there was no longer any free oxygen present in this bottle, but still the animal life was not extinct, and the minute oopepoda were soon in agitation, when the water was poured in a large airy bottle and exposed to sunlight. It is astonishing under what circumstances life sometimes can exist, and a world of mysteries still Res here before us, waiting to be solved by future investigators. THE BLACK LAKE OF BENTON, MONO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. About one mile west of Benton, a little mining town in Mono County, California, rises a low granite hill- chain, running from north to south, and bordering a long-stretched valley with its western slopes. In this depression a number of springs and grassy spots are met with. ID the northern portion of this valley is situated a lake of about 1 mile in length, varying in width from 100 to 500 feet, and reaching a depth of 60 to 70 in some places. It is called the Black Lake, on account of the dark color of its water- a coloration due to its containing organic matter in solution. The taste is strongly alkaline, and white efflorescences are seen all around the lake. The amount of saline constituents is much smaller than at Owen's Lake, and to this fact it is due that Black Lake does not prevent several species of juncus and gramineac from growing in the shallow places, nor permits the existence of the peculiar black fly round at Owen's Lake. Like the latter was also Black Lake formerly much larger, and formed, doubtless, the drainage-basin of a number of hot alkaline springs, like one still in existence in the vicinity. Many hot springs also exist in Long Valley, 26 to 30 miles west of Benton. Another small alkaline lake is the Slough, near Bishop's Creek. The water of Black Lake gave the following composition. In 100 liters are contained- Grams. Sodium carbonate 1.233.1 Sodium sulphate 294.0 Potassium sulphate 83.5 Sodium chloride 234.2 Silicic acid 5.2 Formic acid traces. Hnmic and crenic acid traces. Phosphoric acid traces. Boric acid traces. Iodine traces. Bromine traces. Lithia traces. 1,850.0 THE WATER OF THE VIRGIN RIVER, ( SOUTHERN NEVADA.) This tributary of the great Colorado penetrates a wide valley, of over 25 miles in length, before it empties into the latter. Not a single settlement exists in this apparently very fertile bottom- a fact that is understood as soon as the water of this river or of any well sunk in the valley is tasted, it being not onlv very disagreeable, resembling in taste glauber and epsom salts, but its effects are of an alarming nature, diarrhoea and vomiting being the immediate consequences of having tried to satisfy the burning thirst by means of this water. Cattle using it for a few days in succession invariably die; also many human beings become sacrificed to it. Hence the water is pronounced poisonous, and people avoid settling in this valley. The chemical analysis did not reveal a trace of mineral poisons, but the presence of a large amount of sulphates, to which the diarrhoea must be ascribed. It is easily understood how deleterious in such a hot climate, when the body is weakened considerably, a diarrhoea must prove. The following was found to be the composition: In 100 liters of the water are contained- Grams. Potassium sulphate 4.16 Sodium Bulnhate 94.71 Calcium sulphate „ ... 73.60 Magnesium sulphate 75.66 8odiumT octhallo ride 413879.. 1030 |