132 On tlie Composition and Properties of Drinlting-Water, 
consequence of the larger proportion of lime and magnesia com- 
pounds the water of Portmore Loch is somewhat harder than 
that of Loch Katrine and St. Mary's Loch, but in comparison with 
ordinary spring and river waters it is extremely soft. All the 
three samples, practically speaking, contained merely traces of 
actual and of organic ammonia, showing clearly that the organic 
matter in these waters is derived from vegetable and not from 
nitrogenous animal-refuse matters. Had the waters been con- 
taminated with sewage-products or refuse-matters of animal 
origin, a much larger amount of free and organic ammonia would 
have been revealed by the chemical analysis. 
There is no evidence on record proving peaty matter to 
affect the health injuriously ; it may therefore be assumed that, 
although the St. Mary's Loch water was decidedly yellow-coloured, 
and contained comparatively a large amount of soluble organic 
matter, it was not unwholesome. 
Similar in composition and general character are the waters of 
the lakes of Cumberland and Westmoreland. 
CoMPosiTTON of Water from Hawes- Water, Ullswater, and 
Thirlmere Lakes. 
Hawes- Water 
Lake. 
Ullswater 
Lake. 
Thirlmere 
Lake. 
G rains. 
Grains. 
Grains. 
Prof. Way found in an imperial gallon : — 
•50 
•81 
•42 
•18 
•20 
■14 
•71 
•51 
■46 
Chlorides of sodium and potassium 
•40 
•69 
■77 
•25 
•20 
•05 
•51 
•37 
•44 
•82 
103 
•56 
•62 
•35 
•77 
Total fixed conbtituents in grains 
3-99 
416 
361 
Hardness before boiling 
20° 
21° 
15° 
1^8° 
21° 
,• r5° 
Tljese constituents, according to Way, are 
probably combined as follows : — 
Carlwnate of lime 
•90 
145 
•75 
•36 
•42 
•29 
■56 
•40 
•20 
•90 
•65 
•78 
Chlorides of sodium and potassium 
•40 
■69 
■77 
Oxide of iron, silica. &c 
•25 
•20 
•05 
■62 
■35 
•77 
Total K)lid constituents per gallon (in^ 
3 99 
416 
3-61 
