METEOROLOGY WATER. 213 



Maps showing isobyets arc given. These sliow a range of from 1,200 to 3,000 

 nun. oTi the west coast (kititiule 59° to 62°) to 400 to 800 mm. yearly inland. 



Science of the air with respect to ventilation, N. W. IIoskins {Tech. Lit., 

 2 (1907). No. J. i)i>. .7. (!). — The relation of the composition of the atmosphere 

 to its sanitaiy condition is l)riefly discussed. 



The atmosphere of towns, II. IIenriet {Rev. G&n. Hei., J8 {1001), No. 5, 

 PI). 1!>3-1<)0) ; ah.'t. in Chein. Abs., 1 {1901), So. 1',, p. 1886).— The respects in 

 which the air of cities and towns varies from that of the open country, the 

 sources of contamination, and means of improving the air of urban districts 

 ai"e discussed. 



The activity of air and spring water, F. Henrich {Ztschr. Electrochem., 13 

 {1901), No. 21, pp. 393-406). — Investigations bearing on the radio-activity of 

 air and water are reviewed. 



Sanitary engineering with respect to water supply and sewage disposal, 

 L. F. A''ernon-IIarcourt {Nov York, Bonihai/, and Calciiftd: JAiiKjinaitsi. Urceii 

 d Co., 1901, pp. XXII + .',19, figs. 2.s'7).— The part of this boolv relating to water 

 supply discusses ancient waterworks and available rainfall, sources of water 

 supply, wells, lakes, and storage reservoirs, dams of various kinds and construc- 

 tion, intakes and conveyance and storage of supply, purification of water sup- 

 plies, and distribution of water supply. 



The second part, dealing with sewage disposal, discusses house drainage and 

 disposal of refuse, sewerage, outfalls and clarification of sewage, utilization and 

 purification of sewage on land, and chemical, electrolytic, and bacterial purifica- 

 tion of sewage. 



As regards sewage irrigation, it is pointed out that theoretically this is the 

 proper use to be made of such waste products, but "so many difiiculties sur- 

 round the problem that the combined efforts of chemists and engineers have 

 been imable in most instances to find a remunerative solution. . . . The great 

 merit sewage irrigation possesses, as compared with discharging the sewage 

 into a river or the sea, is that it utilizes the sewage to the utmost exteut practic- 

 able, with great benefit to the land, and, under proper management, at a reason- 

 able expense, and with efficient purification of tlK> cfHuent."' Previous clarifica- 

 tion of sewage by septic tank or other forms of treatment promises to simplify 

 the problem of sewage disposal by irrigation. 



The value of pure water, G. C. Whipple {New YorJc: John Wiley d Hons; 

 London: Chapman c6 Hall, Ltd., 1901, pp. VIII + N//, dgni. 1). — This is in the 

 main a revision of a paper previously noted (E. S. R., 18, p. 314). which appeared 

 originally in the series of scientific contributions, entitled "Biological Studies of 

 the Pupils of William Thompson Sedgwick," with the addition of a few extracts 

 from other lectures and addresses. 



The author attempts from available data to establish formulas to be used in 

 calculating the permissible depreciation due to sanitary quality, physical char- 

 acteristics (color, odor, etc.), hardness, etc., of the water supply. 



" The whole study is intended to illustrate a fact which in the past has been 

 too little appreciated, namely, that an impure water supply affects not only the 

 health and comfort of a c(mnnunity. but also the individual pocketbooks of the 

 I)eople." 



State water survey of Illinois {Enyin. Neirs, 51 {1901), No. 12, pp. 316, 311: 

 ahs. in Chcm. Ahx., 1 (1901). No. 12, pp. 1595, 1596).— This article is based on 

 the latest report of this survey, which has been in progi-ess since 1895, the work 

 being carried on through cooperation between the University of Illinois, the 

 V. S. Geological Survey, and the State geological and water surveys. The report 

 is divided into 4 parts: (1) Epidemics, (2) sewage puriflcati(m, (3) water sup- 

 plies, and (4) streams. A special feature is an account of a series of tests of 

 septic tanks at Urbana. 



