88 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



The total number of species now occupying the island is probably as 

 great as when it was a desert hill. It is to be noted that 460 of the 470 

 individuals on the island are salt plants, and that one of the pioneers, 

 Baccharis, has already been lost. 



Composition of Salion Sea Water, June 10, 1916, by A. E. Vinson. 



The annual sample of the water of Salton Sea was taken June 10, 

 191G, over deep water off Salton Station. The results of the analysis 

 are given in the following table: 



Composition of Salton Sea Water, June 10, 1916 {in parts per 100,000). 



Total solids (at 110° C.) 1,047.2 



Water of occlusion and hydration ... 47.5 



Sodium 528.9 



Potassium 5.71 



Calcium 29.85 



Majinesium 27 . 17 



Aluminum 034 



Iron 060 



Carbonic, COj (total) 11 .40 



Bicarbonic, HCOs (volumetric) 16. 10 



Silicic, SiO* 1.21 



Phosphoric PO4 doubtful trace 



Boric acid trace 



Oxygen consumed . 170 



Nitric None 



Nitrous Trace 



From June 8, 1915, until June 10, 1916, the total solids in the Salton 

 water have increased from 1,337.4 parts per 100,000 to 1,647.2 parts 

 per 100,000, equivalent to a concentration of 19.6 per cent. This 

 is the greatest annual concentration noted, except the concentration 

 from June 8, 1909, till May 22, 1910, which was 21 per cent. Aside from 

 the concentration of the solids collectively, there is little requiring dis- 

 cussion at this place. Mention, however, should be made of phosphoric 

 acid. In the early annual analyses of the series weighable amounts of 

 yellow precipitate were obtained. For several years the phosphoric- 

 acid test remained positive, the test being made by scratching the 

 sides of the beaker with a stirring-rod, but at this time no unmistak- 

 able reaction can be obtained from 3 liters of water. Phosphoric acid, 

 therefore, has been reported as a doubtful trace. 



Climatic Investigations, by Ellsworth Huntington. 



During the past year two important steps have been taken in the 

 study of clunatic changes. In the first place, the work begun in 1903 

 by the Pumpelly expedition to Transcaspia and described in pubhca- 

 tions Nos. 26^ and 73^ together with later investigations in the western 

 hemisphere, as described in PubUcation No. 192^ has now been summed 

 up in a volume entitled "Civilization and Chmate." This not only 

 gives a resume of the entire problem of climatic changes during 

 historic times, but adds hitherto unpubhshed data derived from last 

 year's work in the Mohave region. It also considers the effect of 

 various conditions of climate and weather upon human energy. 



iPumpelly, R., Ellsworth Huntington, et al. Explorations in Turkestan, with an account of 

 the Basin of Eastern Persia and Sistan. Expedition of 1903. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 126. 



^Pumpelly, R., Ellsworth Huntington, et al. Explorations in Turkestan, Expedition of 1904. 

 Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 73. 



'Huntington, Ellsworth et al. The Climatic Factor, as illustrated in Arid America. Carnegie 

 Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 192. 



