58 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
central track of the river-streams, and acted upon by their scourage, had 
very little organic matter.” 
Again: “The reporters of 1858 estimated that 92,000 tons of solid 
matter of every description were contained in the sewage passing into the 
Thames at that time;" but it is now estimated, from data supplied by 
Glasgow, that ‘ 465,000 tons — represent the annual solid matter 
contained in Metropolitan sewage.” 
gain: “ The excreta of each person per day having been found by 
experiment to weigh 2ilbs., this, with the population of 8,500,000, in 
connection with the outfalls, gives 3,900 tons per day, or 1,425,000 tons per 
annum as the amount of excreta sent into the river from the outfalls.”’ 
Again: It was found by experiment “that matter committed to the 
water of Mid-Thames would move down seaward about five miles in a 
fortnight.” 
Again: “The daily discharge from the outfalls has been stated as 
120 million gallons or 19,246,000 cubic feet, so that 423,412,000 cubic 
feet or 22 days' discharge, represents the aggregate amount of sewage 
in the oscillating section, being about one-fifth part of the whole contents 
of the river within the same limits below the level of ordinary low-water. 
This vast mass of polluted water—eight miles long, 750 yards wide, and 
44 feet deep, charged with offensive matter, both fluid and solid, moves up 
and down the channel four times daily, between Gravesend and near to 
` Blackwall, dropping its solid burden wherever a reduction of the rate of 
current or still water may favour deposit. The purifying change which the 
putrescent matter may be supposed to undergo, after discharging from 
the outfalls, is reserved for future consideration." 
Again: In regard to accretion of the sewage in Woolwich Reach, it is 
stated that there is **a complete identity between accreted matter and that 
in the sewage discharged from the outfalls. There can be little doubt that 
it has been brought from their neighbourhood by the flood-stream. Most 
observers of rivers are aware of the disturbing action of the first portion 
of the flood-set, for, owing to its greater specific gravity, it works its way 
upwards under the last of the ebb-set, and probably obtaining thereby 
a strong rotatory or grinding motion, the surface of the bottom is sufti- 
ciently disturbed to charge the water with its particles." 
Again: “ Another point which has bearing upon this section of the case 
is, the superior carrying-power of the flood-stream over the ebb; a fact very 
distinctly brought out in the Analytical Returns.” 
Again: “ The amount of solid matter in the flowing- tide at Greenwich 
and London Bridge is nearly 21 grains per gallon, while that in the ebb-tide 
is only 8'2 grains," 
