188 A. A. Hayes on the Color of the Water of Lake Leman. 
Nearly all waters contain living organisms, and their germs, 
these matters, in a decomposing state, organic acids, either with 
or without bases, in the form of salts, most easily changed by 
heat or even by concentration. These substances are very im- 
portant constituents, in connection with the uses of the water, 
and I could offer many illustrations of damage in manufactur- 
ing and unfitness for consumption, traceable directly to the pres- 
ence of such bodies in waters otherwise desirable, and proper for 
extended consumption. 
The mode adopted in my examination of the water of Lake 
Leman is that which I have usefully applied in a large number 
of cases, and with modifications, it is applicable to all waters, in 
Rep, eenatiaes eae ” subsequently chemicall 
and their state o ation found, and engaged compounds st 
arated and wei he Pe ae Be 
Chemical analysis, thus conducted, having thrown no light on 
the cause of color in this water, has proved the absence of col- 
oring substances, and placed it in the list of those waters, which 
do not exhibit the color seen in this lake; we are, therefore, led 
to ascribe the origin of its peculiar tint to natural influences, 
namely, the reflection and refraction of an azure sky in a color 
The sky coloration of this part of Switzerland early engaged 
the observation of Saussure, who even experimented on its depth. 
of color, while retaining its blue tint, All the conditions favor- 
me most constant blueness of sky, are present in this, and 
: ther parts of Switzerland in a marked degree, and I t 
that extended observation will always connect th 
_ White water with the azure hue of the clear 
