OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 



extent to show that it is not a safe thing for the health of the city, 

 that the excreta from 40,000 inhabitants should be poured into its 

 waters. 



Our first experiment was with the Permanganate test for 

 organic compounds. In Nos. i, 2 and 3 the test gave strong indi- 

 cations of their presence ; No. 4 gave still greater indications, while 

 No. 5 appeared to contain more organic matter than all the four 

 which we had tested ; No. 6 appeared to be the least contaminated, 

 while No. 8 was like Nos. i, 2 and 3. Our next test was for 

 Nitrates, but it was nearly a fruitless search, as we found only a 

 trace in No. 3. We then hunted for Chlorides, which was more 

 successful, as we found a small quantity in each, but most in No. 5. 

 We searched for Ammonia with Nessler's test, which, it is said, will 

 detect one part in a million. This was, perhaps, the most perfect 

 and interesting of any of the tests of which we made use. The 

 presence of the smallest quantity of ammonia showing itself so very 

 plainly and distinctly. Commencing with No. i again, we found 

 that the quantity of ammonia in it was about the same as in Nos. 2 

 and 3, while No 4 showed an increase, and No. 5 gave a copious 

 deposit of sediment of the distinguishing color produced by 

 Nessler's test ; No. 6 gave only small indication of contamination, 

 while No. 8 was in every respect like No. i. 



Having proceeded so far, we thought best to look for Sulphates, 

 which we did with Barium Chloride. To my surprise there was 

 very little to be found. I had expected to find a marked quantity 

 of Calcium Sulphate, but it was not present, except in very minute 

 quantities. 



As the Permanganate test is of so delicate a nature, we thought 

 best to employ two or three others. From a large number of 

 thorough tests for Albumenoids, we selected Bi-chloride of Mercury 

 and Lead Acetate. The results fully corroborated the result of the 

 Permanganate test, so it is not necessary to recapitulate them. 

 Having tested for organic compounds, for Chlorides, for Ammonia 

 and for Sulphates, we arrived at the conclusion that the water, in 

 that part of the bay from which it was taken, was decidedly impure. 

 As a strong northeast wind was blowing at the time, it seems 

 probable that the sewage may have been driven into the southwest 

 angle of the bay, and the depth of water increased there, as Capt, 



