238 Observations on the Earthy Matter [June, 



II. — Some observations on the Quantity of Earthy Matter brought 

 down by the Ganges River. By the Rev. R. Everest. 



[Read before the Physical Class, 13th June, 1832.] 



In the course of last summer, I made some attempts to ascertain the 

 weight of solid matter contained in a given quantity of Ganges water, 

 both in the dry and rainy season, but I found the weight so variable 

 on different days (when little difference might have been expected) 

 that I can hardly consider the observations numerous enough to give 

 a correct average. Such as they are, however, they may not be with- 

 out interest in the absence of other information on the subject. I there- 

 fore take the liberty of laying them before the Society, and shall, if 

 opportunity offers, endeavour to add some further data, both for the 

 weight of solid matter, and also for the rise and velocity of the river. 



1. A quantity of Ganges' water taken 27th May, 1831, gave when 

 evaporated, a solid residuum of 1.084 grains per wine quart. 



2. July 21st. There had been little rain for some days, and 

 the river was low for the season : a wine quart contained of soluble 

 matter 2.0 grains; of insoluble, 16.2; — total 18.2. 



3. August 2nd. The river being much higher, the same quantity of 

 water gave insoluble matter 28.7, soluble 3. ; — total 31.7. 



4. August. 13th. The river had reached its maximum, and gave 

 from the same quantity of water, insoluble matter 73.5 grains ; soluble 

 2.7 ;— total 76.2. 



5. August 20th. The water had hitherto been taken from the side, 

 but as it was evident that the quantity of matter held in suspension in the 

 middle of the current was much greater than towards the bank, where 

 the water was nearly still, I took two separate portions as before, and 

 obtained, from the middle, 40 grs. of insoluble residuum ; from the side 

 20 grains ditto : add for soluble matter, suppose two grains to each, the 

 middle gives 42, the side 22 grs. The river to-day was at the same height 

 as on the 13th. 



6. Sept. 7th. Two portions taken this day, as before, gave for the 

 middle 1 9, the side 15. 



7. Sept. 21st. The middle gave 22, the side 20; 



The different proportion in this case was occasioned by a strong east 

 wind agitating the water near the shore. 



8. Oct. 4th. The middle gave 9.6, the side 5.1. 

 The numbers therefore stand thus : 



