"WATFORD NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. xlv 



Eectory, Hertford; and Mr. William H. Wilds, St. Andrew's Street, 

 Hertford, were elected Members of the Society. 



Th.e following communications were read : — 



1. " Eeduction of Meteorological Observations." By William 

 Marriott, P. M.S. Communicated by the Honorary Secretary. 

 {Videi^. 197.) 



2. " Meteorological Observations taken at Wansford House, 

 Watford, during the Year 1878." By John Hopkinson, F.L.S., 

 F.M.S., etc., Hon. Sec. ( Vide p. 209.) 



3. "Eeport on the Rainfall in Hertfordshire in 1878." By the 

 Honorary Secretary. ( Vide p. 223.) 



4. " Eeport on Phonological Observations in Hertfordshire in 

 1878." By the Honorary Secretary. ( Vide p. 229.) 



5. Remarks on the Winter of 1878-79." By W. Marriott, P.M.S. 

 Communicated by the Honorary Secretary. ( Vide p. 237.) 



Field Meeting, 17th May, 1879. 

 Watford. 



A large party, consisting of members of the Society and of the 

 Geologists' Association of London, assembled at Bushey Station at 

 3 o'clock and proceeded at once to the Colne Valley Waterworks, 

 near the station, where Mr. Philip Verini,* the Secretary of the 

 Company, showed the party round the works, explaining the method 

 of pumping and softening the water. 



The main building was first entered, and here two horizontal 

 steam-engines, each of 60-horse-power, were seen. One only is 

 worked at a time, the other being kept in reserve for use when its 

 companion requires cleaning or repairing, and beds are also ready 

 to receive two others should they at any time be required. 



Mr. Verini explained that the engine at work was pumping water 

 from the well below, and at the same time drawing water from the 

 softening tanks outside and forcing it into the reservoirs on Bushey 

 Heath. The shaft below the engine he stated to have a lining four 

 bricks thick for 70 feet in depth, to guard against the inflow of 

 surface water, and water from the River Colne. Beyond this dis- 

 tance there was a boring for 140 feet, and the entire depth, from 

 the floor of the engine-house, 25 feet above the mouth of the shaft, 

 ■was therefore 235 feet. 



A low circular building, called the slaking room, was next en- 

 tered, and here were seen large cauldrons in which lime is crushed 

 by a small hydi'aulic machine. From these are tubes through which 

 the slaked lime passes into larger tanks where lime-water is made. 



* It is with great regret I have to record the death of Mr. Yerini, -which 

 occurred on the 18th of Novemher. To his jeal and energy is mainly due tlie 

 successful establishment and -working of a company (of which he may be said to 

 be the founder) which is conferring immense advantages on the district it supplies. 



