454 w - M - SMALLWOOD. 



and a graduate student in bacteriology was making a study of 

 the microorganisms. The latter worked in the same building 

 and took his samples from the laboratory faucets. These two 

 studies were carried on independently and without any reference 

 to mine. 



From the chemical analysis of the water one readily observes 

 that the organic content is very low and that there is not enough 

 of the organic compounds dissolved in the water to support 

 such a large fish as Amia. The bacteriological study revealed 

 the presence of several species of bacteria of which B. coll was 

 the most numerous. The number of protozoa found were very 

 few. Subsequent studies made by the city bacteriological labora- 

 tory and extending over a longer period are in general terms as 

 follows: the bacterial content of the city water is from 20 to 40 

 per cubic centimeter of water when grown on agar at 37 C. 

 After a heavy rain or a quick thaw, the bacterial content is 

 slightly higher. 



During part of the time, the water was strained through a 

 fine piece of silk. At the end of two weeks, the silk was removed 

 and the yellowish sediment examined. It was found to consist 

 of diatomes. 



These several independent studies show that the organic con- 

 tent of the water is low both in the dissolved organic content as 

 well as in the microorganisms. The next question to be discussed 

 is: Can Amia take advantage of this organic material and use 

 any of it as food? 



The several writers upon the habits of Amia 1 all agree that 

 this fish is a menace to other fish, that it is savage and voracious, 

 eating small fish and crayfish. In its natural habitat, there can 



Chlorine 2 



Nitrogen in nitrites o 



Nitrogen in nitrates 0.22 



Ammonia free 0.04 



Ammonia albuminoid 0.015 



Ernest N. Pattee, Director Department Chemistry. 

 1 Bean, B., 1896, "On the Dogfish (Amia calva), Its Habits and Breeding," 



Fourth Annual Report, Comm. Fisheries, Game and Forests of New York, p. 249. 



Bean, B., 1903, "Fishes of New York," p. 75. Jordan and Evermann, "Fishes of 



North America," Vol. I., p. 113. Reigiiard, Jacob, 1903, "The Natural History 



of Amia calva," Mark memorial volurre, p. 65. 



