organic matter. This method has, however, gained but little 
favour amongst analysts ; for, without taking into account the fact 
that it involves specially devised apparatus, and requires very 
complicated and tedious manipulation, it has this fatal objection— 
that it is possible for the very organic matter we are seeking, to be 
more or less destroyed, or lost, at an early stage of the operation. 
The results obtained by this process cannot therefore be viewed 
with any degree of satisfaction. 
Another method, and one which I have adopted in this inquiry, 
called the ‘“‘ Ammonia Process,” was devised by Messrs. Wanklyn 
and Smith, in 1867, and is intended to give us an insight as to the 
nature of the organic impurity, from the amount of ammonia 
yielded by the water, under certain conditions ; this ‘“Albuminoid 
Ammonia,” as it is called, along with the amount of “free 
Ammonia,” and of Chlorine, being considered by the authors to 
afford sufficient data for the determination of the character of the 
water. This process is just as remarkable for its simplicity, as the 
former is for its intricacy; nevertheless, the utmost care is required 
’ in conducting the experiment, in order to prevent the introduction 
of serious error. It has gained great favour in the eyes of analysts, 
and is a process usually adopted by them in water analysis. 
I consider, however, that Wanklyn’s process should never be 
taken by itself, as a criterion of the quality of a water. Many 
mistakes may arise, and have arisen, by doing so. Some waters, 
known to be bad, have yielded little ‘‘ Albuminoid Ammonia,” 
and good waters have sometimes yielded much. 
But we have another test we can apply, that is, to see what 
amount of Oxygen is absorbed by the organic matter, in a certain 
time. Organic matter very readily takes up Oxygen, when that 
element is presented to itinacertain manner. All that is required 
then, is to determine the amount of Oxygen absorbed by the water, 
in order to arrive at some idea of the quantity of organic matter 
present. 
The amount of Chlorine, due to common salt, which is always 
high when sewage is present; also the amount of Nitric Acid, 
