DISCOLOURED RAIN. 



Glanton Pyke, 



Glanton, R.S.O., 



Northuin berlan d, 



September 12tli 1892. 

 Dear Sir, 



On the night of the Ist September, about 10.15, my 

 gardener observed a heavy, dark looking, circular cloud hanging over 

 Glanton Pyke, and soon afterwards heavy drops of rain began to fall — 

 the wind from the west. Next morning, on going to measure the 

 Rainfall, he found to his great surprise the water discoloured— a 

 sample of which I send yon ; I have had this analysed by Mr 

 Newbigin, Chemist, of Alnwick, and I now enclose you his report. 



Please to exhibit this most curious specimen of water at the Duns 

 Meeting of the Club, on Wednesday. 



I will thank you to return Mr Newbigin's report to me, and shall 

 be glad to hear the opinion of the Club. 

 Yours faithfully, 



FREDK. J. W. COLLINGWOOD. 

 Dr Hardy. 



Analysis. 



Alnwick, « 



September 9th 1892. 

 Sir, 



I have been a good deal interested in the sample of water 

 you sent in, taken from the Rain Guage ; and I have been at some 

 trouble to endeavour to find the cause of colouration. I notice, when 

 examined by a microscope with high powers, that it shows no 

 living organisms. 



It had no action on Litmus paper. 



When evaporated to about a sixth of its bulk, it gave off an 

 unpleasant smell. 



When evaporated to dryness, a considerable quantity of amorphous 

 extractive matter was left. 



It contained neither Iron nor Copper in solution. 

 The colour is evidently entirely of vegetable origin. 

 The result of the examination of the water would seem to indicate 

 that, by the joint action of sun and wind, pond or bog water had been 

 taken up, forming a cloud, which had burst soon after forming. 



Yours respectfully, 



J. L. NEWBIGIN. 

 F. J. W. Collingwood, Esq., 

 Glanton Pyke. 

 Mr Collingwood pencils. Dark black looking cloud — circular — just 

 over Glanton Pyke, at between 10 and 10.30. Gauge next morning — 

 wind W. Again, on 8th, discoloured. 



