62 Transactions, — Miscellaneous. 
Then, as to the sewage working upwards, the Engineer quotes a previous 
paper by Captain Calver, where he himself “ proves very distinctly the 
decided preponderance of the power of the ebb over that of the flood," and 
points out that the late theory propounded by Captain Calver, to wit, ** the 
operation of accretion has been effected by the superior disturbing and trans- 
porting power of the flood stream,” is ‘diametrically opposite and con- 
tradietory." He also calls attention to Captain Calver's grammar in regard 
to his introduction into the English language of the new word *' stickability."' 
The amount of solid matter actually contained in the sewage is then 
diseussed, of which 32 examples were taken from different parts of the 
Thames, which, being analysed, the Engineer proceeds: ** Then taking the 
&verage quantity of sewage discharged in the 24 hours, at 120 million 
gallons, we have, for the weight of solid matter discharged into the river 
every year, 64,250 tons," A different result from Captain Calver's, which is 
465,000 tons. 
Again: The rejoinder continues, the quantity of solid matter discharged 
into the river at the outfalls in each tide is 88 tons, or 1,380 million grains; 
and the quantity of tidal water passing the outfalls in a spring ebb, as stated 
by Captain Calver is 108,138,140 cubic yards, or 18,248,811,125 gallons ; 
consequently the amount of solid matter thrown into the river from the 
outfalls only ** amounts to ‘076, or 4 of a grain per gallon, a quantity 
far too small to exercise any appreciable influence upon the purity of the 
water.” 
Again: “ That the water in the lower reaches of the river is very much 
loaded with mud, especially upon flood-tide, is a matter of fact which cannot 
fail to strike any person observing it; and the reason will be very evident 
upon examining the state of the river banks.” Then alluding to the 
“ saltings,”’ that is erosions by waves, having been computed; the cubic 
contents of the same are estimated, whereby it is found that “at least a 
million tons of soil are washed into this part of the river every year, in 
addition to that which is brought down from above.” 
It is stated that thus the ** saltings below London, therefore, supply at 
least 153 times as much solid matter as that discharged by the sewage out- 
falls." This, the Engineer adds, ‘‘is, in fact, the real source of the mud 
deposit on the banks of the river, which, as we have shown, Captain Calver 
has erroneously attributed to the metropolitan sewage." 
The report concludes “ that there is no documentary evidence to prove 
that foul and offensive aceretions have recently formed within the channel of 
the Thames;’’ that, “in fact, the water and mud of the Thames have im- 
proved greatly in purity; ' that “there is no resemblance between Thames 
prm 
