102 On the Utility of Cess-pools in Calcutta. [March, 



" I tried a candle in No. 1, it burned perfectly bright without any 

 explosion." 



In Mirjani Gali', there are three of the same nature ; these have been 

 complained of by the division overseer, who thought they had not origi- 

 nally been dug of sufficient depth, but care must of course be taken 

 that the platforms are kept carefully cleaned and washed. 



On the 26th of September, 1831, the well in the cook-room of 

 No. 2, Hare-street, raised 3^ feet above the surface, and having a small 

 opening at top, for the passage of water, secured by a copper strainer, 

 and in use from April, was examined. 



There was not the slightest smell to be perceived from it, a candle 

 was let down to the surface of the water without the flame being affected 

 in the slightest degree ; it burned as in a common atmosphere. The only 

 effect it seemed to produce was the forcing out by rarefaction of a small 

 quantity of the air in the well, which smelt offensively, but not very 

 much so. The height of the water or filth was precisely the same as 

 in another common well quite close to it. 



The liquid at the surface of the water of the well appeared of the 

 blackest and most filthy description ; there were creatures like cock- 

 roaches seen swimming among the bubbles, when they were disturbed 

 by the iron to which the candle was affixed. 



The following interesting account is given of certain phenomena ob- 

 served in a kitchen cess-pool at Bythakkhaneh. 



Ignis Fatuus. — On the 3rd of June, 1831, 1 caused a well to be dug 

 at my garden, at the Bythakkhaneh, for the purpose of receiving the 

 refuse Mater of my kitchen and bottlekhaneh, about twelve feet deep, 

 (at which depth water was discovered,) and three feet broad. 



The well was surrounded with the circular earthen paats commonly 

 used in the construction of wells in Bengal, and a pucka circular wall 

 about two feet in height, built above the level of the earth, and the 

 mouth of the well covered in with tile work and khoah, the same as a 

 terrace, leaving an aperture to admit the refuse water about nine inches 

 in diameter, closed by a copper strainer, to prevent particles of meat, 

 rice, &c. falling into the well ; but not fixed in the masonry, to allow 

 the well to be inspected at pleasure. 



The well was in constant use, for the before specified purposes, and 

 the water in it has risen to nearly the level of the earth, in consequence 

 of the rainy season, (when most wells in the vicinity of the 

 Bythakkhaneh rise to within a few feet of that level,) and the quantity 

 of refuse daily thrown into it. 



On Tuesday evening, the 30th August, a little before gun-fire, the 

 copper strainer of the well was blown off, and a blaze issued from th e 



