THE TOXICITY OF BOG WATER 
437 
was less than that of the untreated bog water. The acidity was 
determined by neutralization with iV/20 NaOH, using phenolphthalein 
as an indicator. 
7. The specific gravity of a number of samples of bog water has 
been tested by weighing them in a specific gravity bottle and has been 
found to be i.ooo. 
It has been frequently shown that bog water is injurious at least 
to certain plants (i, 2, 5, 6, 9). Analyses of Ohio bog water (3) and 
of water from a lake adjoining the bog indicate that the bog water 
differs from the lake water in a higher content of organic NH3 and in 
greater loss on ignition. It has been shown (8) that the surface 
tension of bog water is not low enough to account for its toxicity. 
The fact that the osmotic pressure of bog water is very low (i , 4, 8, 10) 
suggests that the material in solution in it is probably in a colloidal 
state. The data here given seem to confirm this view and to warrant 
the suggestion that this colloidal matter is a large factor in the toxicity 
of the water. 
University of Washington, 
Seattle, Washington 
REFERENCES 
1. Dachnowski, A. Bog toxins and their effect upon soils. Bot. Gaz. 47: 389-405. 
1909. 
2. Dachnowski, A. Peat deposits. Geol. Surv. Ohio. IV. Bull. 16: 311. 1912. 
3. Foulk, C. W. Peat deposits. Geol. Surv. Ohio. IV. Bull. 16: 371. 1912. 
4. Livingston, B. E. Physical properties of bog water. Bot. Gaz. 37: 383-385. 
1904. 
5. Livingston, B. E. Physiological properties of bog water. Bot. Gaz. 39: 348- 
355- 1905- 
6. Rigg, G. B. The effect of some Puget Sound bog waters on the root hairs of 
Tradescantia. Bot. Gaz. 55: 314-326. 1913. 
7. Rigg, G. B. Notes on the flora of some Alaskan sphagnum bogs. Plant World. 
17: 167-182. 1914. 
8. Rigg, Trumbull, and Lincoln. Physical properties of some toxic solutions. Bot. 
Gaz. 61 : 408-416. 1916. 
9. Transeau, E. N. On the development of palisade tissue and resinous deposits 
in leaves. Science, n. ser. 19: 866-167. 1904. 
10. Transeau, E. N. The bogs and bog flora of the Huron river valley. Bot, Gaz. 
41: 17-42. 1906. 
