862 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



were so distended as to have a gelatinous form, like broken-down tissues 

 of fish. Water freed from these had no odor, while the mass on the niter 

 not only had a strong fish-like odor, but would impart it to other water. 

 The oil could be abundantly obtained from this deposit, and repeated trials 

 showed that this was the source of the odor and to^ste of the ivcrier. 



Dr. Hayes having carried to Dr. John Bacon his results and specimens 

 for microscopical examination, Dr. Bacon immediately pointed- out the 

 two species Cyclops and daphnia, whose bodies seemed to be filled with oil. 

 He then removed under the microscope the oil which had the physical 

 characters of that obtained from the filter mass. The color of the oil in 

 the different individuals varied from red to a pale yellow. Other ex- 

 periments confirmed the observations made by means of the microscope, 

 and proved that there was no other source of the odor and oil existing 

 in the water. Dr. Bacon has thus proved that these Crustacea, before 

 known as carnivorous, are truly, under present circumstances, oil producers, 

 doubtless simply assimilating the food they select. The general result of 

 both chemical and microscopical examinations is, that the odor, taste, and 

 oil of the water are due exclusively to the live, dead and decomposing 

 animalcules of the two species named. 



Dr. Hayes suggested the simple and practical plan of restoring the wa- 

 ter to its natural state, by the introduction of several varieties of fresh- 

 water fish into the lake and receiving basin at Brookline, and the enacting 

 of statutes to prevent them from being caught. 



The natural balance between the orders of beings found in the water 

 being thus established, there is no reason for supposing that a similar 

 change would again occur. 



NOTICE OF THE "FOUNTAIN OF BLOOD " IN HONDURAS. 



The following letter from E. G. Squier, addressed to B. Silliman, Jr., 

 refers to a remarkable phenomenon in Central America, the details of 

 which are sufficiently given in the letter of Mr, Squier. The bottle of 

 colored liquid which was placed by this gentleman in our hands has suf- 

 fered the same fate as its predecessors, and its contents were so far changed 

 by decomposition as to preclude all attempts at an accurate examination. 

 The color of the fluid was dark brown, exhaling an offensive odor, and 

 having a sediment somewhat copious, in which the microscope detected no 

 distinct forms of organization, although filaments of organic matter were 

 abundant. The most probable conjecture as to the origin of this fluid 

 appears to be that which refers its color to the presence of some highly- 

 colored species of infusoria. A microscopic examination on the spot, or a 

 portion of the material in alcohol, would easily settle this question. Mean- 

 while the following facts will be read with interest : 



My dear Sir: I send you herewith a bottle of a remarkable liquid, 

 obtained from what is called " Mina o' Fuente de Saugrc" Mine, or 

 Fountain of Blood, in Central America. The locality is a small cavern, 



