266 Annual Report of the Consulting Chemist. 
Moisture 18-20 
•Organic matter 41-78 
fPliosplioric acid 15-01 
Lime 18-52 
Alkaline salts -90 
Insoluble siliceous matter 5-59 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen .. .. * 3-85 
Equal to ammonia 4-67 
t Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime .. .. 32-75 
Judging: from its composition and general appearance, this 
animal guano appears to be a mixture of steamed bones, dried 
blood and meat-fibre, ground into a tolerably fine powder. It 
is, no doubt, a useful artificial manure, but it is scarcely as 
valuable as fine and clean bone-dust. 
' In my last Report I directed attention to the fact that many 
villages and isolated dwellings are not well supplied with good 
wholesome drinking water, and that, as a rule, the water in towns 
is purer than in the country. I have now to report that, during 
the last twelve months, as many as fifty-three samples of water 
were sent to me for examination by members of the Society. 
A considerable number of these waters I found unmistakably 
contaminated with sewage products, and utterly unfit for drinking 
purposes ; and I would again direct attention to the fact that the 
bad quality of the water which is employed in country places for 
drinking and general domestic purposes is a cause of the pre- 
valence of low fever, and other disorders, in not a few localities. 
If a drinking water appears more or less coloured, and at the 
same time, has a disagreeable smell, or should it not be quite 
clear and exhibit particles of white flocculent matter, I would 
urge upon those who habitually use the water to discontinue its 
use at once, and to have it submitted to a thorough chemical 
analysis without delay. 
Amongst the matters of interest to the agriculturist, which 
have been referred to me during the last twelve months, I 
received a sample of compressed yeast, with the request to ascer- 
tain its composition and nutritive value. The following results 
were obtained : — 
Composition of Compressed Yeast. 
Moisture 73-19 
Oil -27 
•Albuminous Compounds 13-31 
Gum, sugar, &c O'lG 
Cellular fibre 1-35 
Mineral matter (ash) 2-72 
