182 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



yards further down stream there is a second bed. The 

 sewage is mixed with a large quantity of water on joining 

 the main stream, and is carried seawards over the bar — a 

 short distance away — on the ebb tide. 



I have thought it better to describe the different 

 sewage outfalls at length, in order that the Committee may 

 know their position in relation to the Mussel Beds. 



As regards the list of Mussel Beds which, in my 

 opinion, are contaminated with sewage, I think there can be 

 little doubt that grave danger to health exists in eating- 

 Mussels gathered from the Egremont Bed. Here Ave have 

 direct evidence that death has resulted from eating 

 Mussels gathered near the Egremont Ferry slip. At the 

 moment there are not many sizeable Mussels left, but on 

 tides which cause big ebbs a number of persons may 

 be seen gathering them. A strike of young Mussels has, 

 however, recently taken place, and the fish are now growing 

 fast. Considering the very large quantity of sewage 

 discharged into the Mersey in this neighbourhood, I am of 

 opinion that Mussels should not be removed for human 

 food between Bock Ferry and New Brighton. To this 

 there can be no reasonable objection. The fishermen 

 are not dependent on Mussels from this place ; the beds 

 are of little value ; and the danger to health from 

 eating them is, I think, a serious matter. With regard to 

 other Mussel Beds, I hesitate to report on them, pending 

 Dr. Sergeant's report to the Public Health Committee for 

 Lancashire, and the report of the result of the analysis of 

 the samples of the water taken by Mr. Halliwell from the 

 vicinity of the beds. 



The whole question of pollution of Shell-fish by 

 sewage is both a difficult and complicated one. In the 

 case of the Egremont Bed, which is practically situated in 

 the centre of sewage deposit, there can be little doubt as to 



