Notes on some Becent Experiments in Water Analysis. 157 



meeting, still continue to be captured in unusual abundance 

 in various localities in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. 



I may again express my indebtedness to Mr Small, Mr 

 W. Hope, and INIr Keddie, our well-known taxidermists, for 

 being able to exhibit these interesting birds. 



Wednesday, 21st March 1877.— David Grieve, Esq., F.G.S., President, 

 in the Chair. 



The following gentleman was balloted for, and duly elected a Resident 

 Member: John PhiHp, Esq., Head-Master of St Leonard's Public School. 



Tho following communications were read : 



I. Notes on some Recent Experiments in Water Analysis. 

 By T. W. Drinkwater, Esq. 



The object of these notes is not to refute the now very 

 generally received theory that vegetable contamination in 

 drinking water is as Imrtful as animal, but merely to show 

 that we have means by which we can distinguish between 

 these two impurities, and thus be in a position to give valu- 

 able information regarding the origin and removal of the 

 source of impurity. 



It has been urged that if a water give over '009 grs. per 

 gallon of albuminoid ammonia, it matters not whether it be 

 derived from animal or vegetable matter, it is just as hurtful 

 to health. 



If the impurity arises from decomposing vegetable matter, 

 I admit the truth of this statement, but if, as in the case of a 

 peaty water, the vegetable matter is not in a decomposing 

 state, then we have no right to condemn a water as unfit for 

 drinking purposes, though it gives as much as '01 grs. per 

 gallon of albuminoid ammonia. 



In Lincolnshire the well water is strongly impregnated 

 both with the peaty colour and flavour ; this w^ater is drunk 

 without any bad effects following, yet on analysis it yields 

 albuminoid ammonia to the extent of 'Ol to '05 grs. per 

 gallon, and would be condemned by many analysts as unfit 

 for dietetic uses. 



It was with the view of clearing up some disputed differ- 



