THE HYDROGEOLOGY OF THE PLYMOUTH DISTRICT. 
119 
APPENDIX I. 
Extract of Analysis of Water from two Wells at R.M. Barracks, Stonehouse, 
in January, 1868, by Dr. Zetheby. 
Both the samples were quite bright, but when examined in large 
volume they were found to be coloured with organic matter ; No. 1 
(Hare's Brewery) having an olive-brown colour, and No. 2 (Clerk's Old 
Brewery well) a yellowish-green tint. They were quite free from lead, 
and were therefore in this respect unobjectionable. The constituents 
per imperial gallon were as follows ; and for comparison I have added 
the composition of the New River water supplied to the metropolis. 
Constituents. 
North Well. 
No. 1. 
SouthWell. 
No. 2. 
New River 
Water. 
Carbonate of Lime and Magnesia . . . 
Sulphate of Lime . . ... 
Alkaline Chloride (common salt) . . . 
Alkaline Nitrate . . ... 
Silica and Alumina . ... 
Organic matter . . ... 
Graius. 
7.17 
6.68 
5.58 
0.80 
0. 75 
Grains. 
II. 21 
6-39 
9-77 
5-99 
1. 00 
0.47 
Grains. 
12.58 
2.41 
1.28 
2.08 
O.38 
O.32 
Total per Imperial Gallon 
21.49 
34-83 
I9.O5 
Ammonia ready formed . ... 
„ from organic matter . . . 
0.029 
0.030 
0.014 
0.015 
O.OOO 
0. 002 
Total Ammonia per Gallon 
0.059 
0.029 
0. 002 
Oxygen, required to oxidise the organic ) 
matter in a Gallon j 
0.064 
0.059 
O.O5O 
Hardness before boiling ... 
„ after boiling quarter of an hour . 
Degrees. 
9.0 
7-5 
Degrees. 
I7.O 
II. O 
Degree*. 
I4.O 
4.O 
These results show that both the samples of well-water from the 
Marine Barracks are charged with matter derived from surface drainage ; 
and the large amount of alkaline chloride, and in the case of well No. 2 
of nitrate, as well as the excessive proportions of ammonia, indicate the 
existence of sewage matters, which have become more or less changed 
during their passage through the ground in which the wells are sunk. 
I would advise therefore that both of the wells be abandoned, as far as 
the use of the water for drinking purposes is concerned. 
