Dec. 1905] PROCEEDINGS s. I. ass'n arts and sciences. ly 



Staten Island Water Supply Co.: Chlorine, parts per million. 



Sample taken JuneSO, 1883 I Sampletaken Oct., 1893 I SampletakenNov. 19, 1902 

 8.79 I 13.05 I 392.(10 



These analyses show not only such an astonishing excess over the 

 normal but also such a progressive increase in the actual amount of 

 the chlorine that some local source of contamination is evident. This 

 is probably due to the location of the wells near tide water, at the 

 West New Brighton pumping station, as previously suggested in the 

 papers quoted. 



It may also be pertinent to recall that analyses of the Crystal Water 

 Co's. supply and that of Tottenville, given in the same papers, show a 

 larger amount of chlorine than those given in the work under review; 

 and as the former were made in the Municipal laboratory they may be 

 regarded as authoritative. 



Finally we may incidentally recall the results of analyses of Silver 

 Lake water, recorded in the Proceedings of February 13th, 1904, as fol- 

 lows : 



Sample collected July 17, 1903. Chlorine, parts per million 12.425 

 Nov. 20, " " " " '" 8.000 



Dec. 7, 8.000 



In this case the indicated contamination can not be due to salt water 

 seepage but must be regarded as evidence of organic pollution, due to 

 nearby habitations. 



This work is of great local interest and importance, as it provides us 

 with an official standard, with wdiich our local waters may be compared 

 and from which definite conclusions in regard to them may be de- 

 duced. It also comes at a peculiarly opportune time, when w-e are 

 discussing and planning for an increase of our public water supply 

 system. — A. H. 



Notes and Comments. 



Rev. Arthur H. Allen remarked on a colony of English starlings in- 

 habiting the steeple of the Reformed Church on Tompkins Ave.. 

 Tompkinsville. The identity of these birds is not generally recognized, 

 and they are popularly referred to as robins, blackbirds, etc. 



Dr, Hollick referred to a paper on other local colonies of the birds by 

 Mr. W. P. Heineken, in the Proceedings of February 12th, 1898. 



Mr. James Chapin read extracts from a paper by Miss M. Cline, en- 



