Reference to the Siqipty of Large Toions. 315 



up before the light ; numerous floating points could be 

 observed throughout the liquid, which, upon closer in- 

 spection under the magnifying power of an ordinary 

 pocket lens, had the appearance of minute threads of 

 glass lying in all directions. Under higher powers of the 

 compound microscope they were resolved into one of the 

 simplest forms of vegetable life, being a simple aggre- 

 gation of cells, and having the appearance of a number of 

 beads collected in a straight line. Professor Ten Eyck 

 has famished drawings of them, giving their appearance 

 as seen respectively with a 2 inch lens, and when magnified 

 200 and 1,000 diameters. 



A similar plant was found by Torrey and Chilton, in 

 their examination of Croton water in 1859 ; Professor 

 Torrey suggests the filaments as being probably derived 

 from the botanical genus Nostoc ; his description cor- 

 responds with the appearance of those found in the Albany 

 water during the past year. 



In Rensselaer lake the water contains the same 

 growth. Scarcely any. smell or taste could be observed, and 

 the water in all respects seemed similar to that in the 

 reservoir which derived its supply from it. In both, its 

 condition as to smell and taste was the quality most to be 

 remarked by those who had drawn the same water from 

 the city hydrants that morning. 



be nauseating to all the persons in the room if a "basin full were drawn, 

 and to wash in it left a smell upon the hands of the most disagreeable 

 character, which was even perceptible to others. There was a slight smell 

 (agreeing with the statement, " scarcely any smell)," and although this 

 may have been more noticeable to one who was accustomed to visit the 

 waters frequently, and closely watch its condition, it was so different from 

 the filthy water drawn from the hydrants that same morning before we 

 left town, as to be a matter of general remark by the gentlemen present. 

 Had it been anything like the water in the city there would not have been 

 any danger of a difference of opinion as to the smell. 



