170 



like this, upon the altered condition of Cochituate water, we have 

 learned with surprise that our friend, Dr. Jackson, has expressed 

 his dissent from our conclusions, and, in so doing, has considered 

 ihem in the light of ^' views.''* 



Presuming that we may have omitted particulars of interest in 

 connection with this subject, we beg the indulgence of the mem- 

 bers while we remark on the grounds of Dr. Jackson's dissent. 



1st. On referring to our paper, it will be found, that the oil 

 exists in the bodies of the crustaceans, combined with lime, or 

 lime and ammonia, and that it floats on water after it has been 

 eliminated by acids. The conditions under which it separates 

 spontaneously and attaches itself to other surfaces, are described 

 also. A part of the difficulty met with by Dr. Jackson arises 

 from his taking no notice of the fact stated, that nearly the 

 whole of the oil exists in the altered state of oily acids, and, as 

 is well known, when in this state, it dissolves to small extent in 

 water. 



2d. Dr. Jackson states, that " fish oil is not soluble " in alco- 

 hol ! As the fish oils do dissolve even in small quantities of 

 alcohol, and the concurrent statements of all eminent chemists 

 have long since established this fact, any reasoning based on a 

 supposed insolubility of this oil must be fallacious. 



3d. The difficulties thrown into the path here, in relation to the 

 abundance of cyclops not producing the odor, are more apparent 

 than real. It is an assumption, that the water has at any time 

 had the present taste, when " the cyclopeans were very rarely 

 found, they not being then in season." In placing so decided a 

 negative on this statement, we rest on our own observations, con- 

 tinued through most of the days since October last. It must be 

 apparent to every one, that if such a statement could be sus- 

 tained, no further suppositions would be necessary, and we are 

 sorry that no evidence is adduced in any way supporting it. In 

 the remarks made on what we deem a crucial experiment, it is 

 evident that our language has been misinterpreted. We have 

 stated, as a result of experiment, that the matter fully removed 

 from a given portion of water, leaving it odorless and tasteless, 

 will, when placed in the same water, give it the original odor 

 and taste in full intensity. As there is no matter concerned in 



