Page 284 - 1915, Springs of CA.

264 SPRINGS OF CALIFORNIA.
SULPHITE SPRINGS ON BROWNS CREEK (TRINITY 2).
Sulphur water issues at several places along the course of Browns
Creek, notably at points about four-fifths mile, 1£ miles, and 1^ miles
below Deerlick Springs (Trinity 3, p. 261), appearing in places on the
western bank of the creek and also in its bed. These lower springs
have not been improved, but they are near the trail and are noticeable
because of the sulphur-coated algous growths along their run-off
channels. On the eastern side of the creek, nearly opposite the spring
farthest downstream, a strongly sulphureted spring that yields
perhaps 1 gallon a minute, issues from crevices in a dark, schistose
rock beside the trail. Bubbles of inflammable gas that is probably
hydrogen sulphide rise in the small pool that is formed in a natural
basin in the rock. These springs are doubtless similar in origin and
character to Deerlick Springs.

NEYS SPRINGS (SISKIYOTT 18).
The sulphur springs that have thus far been described are on the
western slopes of the northern Coast Ranges. There are also a few
sulphur springs on the eastern slopes that are drained by tributaries
of Sacramento River. The northernmost of these springs that are
worthy of note are Neys Springs, in the canyon of Little Castle Lake
Creek, 5 miles southwest of Sisson. They were discovered in 1887
by Mr. John Ney, who has improved them and established a small
resort for the medicinal use of the waters. At this place there are
three mineralized springs, the two less important being sulphureted
and the principal one of less usual character.
The principal spring rises at the northern side of the creek and was
formerly submerged during periods of high water. It has been pro-
tected by rockwork and the channel has been filled in, however, so as
to form a pool about 7 feet in diameter a few feet from the creek edge.
The outflow (Aqua de Ney) is piped to a tank and heated for use in a
bathhouse near by. Bubbles constantly rise in the pool, in which the
water is clear but slightly amber in tint. It is a water of very unusual
character, inasmuch as it smells and tastes strongly of ammonia and
appears to have caustic alkalinity. This fact was commented on by
the analyst, who states that after making a number of confirmatory
tests he is unable to account for the alkalinity in any other way than
by assuming the presence of the hydroxide radicle. It is not unlikely
that a part of the alkalinity is due to silicate.
The water apparently rises from a seam of claylike decayed ser-
pentine, a few inches wide, in a dark schistose rock that is exposed for
a number of yards along the bed and sides of the creek. It has been
suggested by Mr. Eaton that the remarkable ammoniacal character
of the water may result from the action of ferrous iron derived from