OCR Text |
Show REMARKABLE SODA SPRING. Has Formed Vast Bed of Solid Salts Through Which Stream Passes. Undoubtedly one of tho most reumrk-nb reumrk-nb o springs in the world hns recently been dlscoveicd In New Mexico. It ia literally a Bprlng, says the Knglneerlng" und Mining Journal, saturated with sodium sulphate Distilled water weighs 8.33 pounds to the gallon. The water of thl.. .., ring weighs 10.CC pounds per gallon, i eaporat!on yields 3.13 pounds of .1,, tuiid matter, of which S3 per cent. Is sulphate of soda, crystallizing crystalliz-ing out chemically pure. 1 he sulphate of soda crystal contnlns 57 per cent, water. At 110 degrees Y. it melts In its own water of crystallization, crystalliza-tion, and tho temperature of tho spring beiug slightly In exeees of 110 decrees F., the saturated liquid upon ovciflow-lng ovciflow-lng and cooling immediately forms a crystalline mass like lie. The natural inquiry nrlsos ns to the dopoKlt or accumulation of ages from this Fprlng; for, unless it discharged Into stream of fresh water, the deposit would be vast In extent. No more fitting fit-ting locution could be Imagined, for It is in the lowest portion of a vast sink or basin, scores of miles In extent. The deposit, therefore, has formed n vaBt bod, miles In extent, of solid sodium salts, through which this spring, by reason rea-son of Its heat, maintains Its channel and continues to augment tho deposit. Inasmuch as tho soda crystal effloresces, or gives up Its water by evaporation, tho elements servo to smooth nnd level the surfuco; so thnt tho lake, though dry, Is whlto as Rnow nnd bears some resom-blanres resom-blanres to n northern lake In the em-brnre em-brnre of winter. |