74 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



ment. Only a qualitative analysis was made of the water with the 

 following result: 



Carbonate of lime was present in the largest quantity. Next 

 came carbonate of soda, iron in various forms and carbonic hydro- 

 chloric acid. In smaller proportions there was present sulphuric 

 acid, magnesia, and organic matter. Only a trace of potash 

 appeared. Iron was clearly most abundant at high water. 



The temperature of the Missouri River at Dakota City during 



May, 1869, was 60 



June, 1869, was 62 



July, 1869, was 70 



August, 1869, was 73 



September, 1869, was 66 



October, 1869, was 54 



November, 1869, was 36^ 



December, 1869, was 35 



The above were my own observations. The following are 

 taken from the report of the United States Signal office at Omaha 

 during 1877 and 1878. 



During several years between 1873 and 1879 I attempted to 

 ascertain the temperature of the Missouri at Plattsmouth, but the 

 result did not differ materially from the above. 



Though the water of the Missouri is muddy, yet when it is 

 allowed to settle and become clear, it is singularly sweet, and in 

 summer, when cooled with ice, it is even delicious. I have seen 

 barrels filled with Missouri water, in July and August, and 

 whether standing in the sun or shade, no infusoria or other minute 

 animal forms could be detected with the microscope, even after 

 a week's exposure. I have had no such experience with any other 

 river water anywhere. Probably, one reason of this is, that the 

 sediment held in suspension, by the water, carries to the bottom, as 

 it settles, all organic matter. Eventually infusoria appear in it in 



