65 



The eoloiiy-liuihliiiii' infnsorinl form UrofiJrun has appeared in the water 

 of the LaFayette reservoir rather regularly in the summer mouths since 

 189G. and has been the cause of much annoyance to the water works offi- 

 cials. At such times it has imparted a very disagreeable odor and taste 

 to the water, leading- many consumers to complain that there were dead 

 tish or eels in the pipes. In the summer of ISilS it became necessary to 

 have the water completely draAvn off from the reservoir in order to thor- 

 oughly cleanse it and get rid of the I'roglena. There has been no serious 

 trouble since that time. 



The star-shaped diatom Astrrioiiclln. although occurring in considerable 

 numbers, has not. as far as known, caused any noticeable effect on the 

 odor or taste of the water. Yet this is the organism which has so often 

 given the characteristic geranium taste to many eastern water supplies. 



Another infusorial form, Dinohryou. is present in the water of the 

 reservoir in large numbers at the present time. Should this number in- 

 crease to any great extent, we may expect to have a fishy odor and 

 taste imparted to the water. 



Aside from these three above mentioned forms, the organisms found in 

 the resei'voir have practically no effect on the odor or taste of the water. 



Physical Observ.ations of the Planet Mars at the 

 Opposition of 1901. 



W. A. Cog SHALL. 



Observations of the last opposition (if .Mars were made at the Kirk- 

 wood Observatniy of Indiana rniversity from the time the twelve-inch 

 telescope was in pl.-icc early in I'cliruary. till late in May. The observi- 

 tions consisted mainly in drawing the surface markings and were car- 

 ried on nearly every good night between the dates mentioned. The draw- 

 ings submitted lierewitli were all made between February l."i and May 1. 

 Drawings of two different observers are included in the series, part being 

 by Professor .1. A. ?*liller. and part \<\ xhv wriier. \^'here the draAvings 

 of both for the same night are placed together they are generally marked 

 by the proper initials. In all this work the drawing was done as inde- 

 pendently as possible, neitlier looking at the other's drawing until liotl; 

 were complete. It will lie seen that in every case the markings drawn 

 are essentially the same, although the drawings vary slightly both in 

 detail and in the location of the dark areas. Dr. Miller almost always plac- 

 ing the dark regions of the southern hemisphere somewhat farther ta 

 the soutli tlian did tlie writer. 



