120 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
Extract from Report of Professor F. A. Abel on samples of same water. 
January, 1868, 
Analysis of water of wells shows that the water cannot be considered 
wholesome for drinking purposes. The proportions of organic matter 
in both samples are not high, but they appear to be derived from 
drainage, and this conclusion is supported by the fact that both waters 
contain large proportions of nitrates ; that in the north well amounting 
to five grains per gallon, while in the south well the proportion is 1 1 *49 
grains per gallon. The water from the north well is suitable for deter- 
gent purposes ; that from the south well is considerably harder, and is 
not appreciably softened by boiling. The water from Devonport Leat 
is perfectly wholesome, and in all respects well suited for general 
domestic purposes. It contains only 3*3 grains of solid constituents per 
gallon, a very small proportion of which (0*2 grains per gallon) consists 
of organic matter of peaty origin. Only traces of nitrates are present, 
and the water is very soft. 
APPENDIX II. 
Extract from Report to General Board of Health on the Borough of Fly mouth, 
by Robert Bawlinson, Esq., 1853. 
Analysis of water taken (March 10th, 1852) from the Plymouth Leat 
before entering the town, and immediately after heavy rains, by Mr. T. 
Spencer, Laboratory, 87, Upper Stamford, London. The water re- 
mained exposed to the sun and perfectly still four weeks, with the 
following result : 
Sulphate of Lime 4.84 
Carbonate of Lime 1.08 
Carbonate of Magnesia 0.77 
Chlorides (Sodium and Magnesium) 2.00 
Iron, Alumina and Silica 1.20 
Organic Matter 0.95 
Total Grains of solid residue in a Gallon 10.84 
The average hardness is 6 '5 by Dr. Clark's Soap test, which being 
chiefly due to Sulphate of Lime, the water does not become sensibly 
softer by boiling, or on the application of quick-lime On the addition 
of an equal bulk of distilled water it is however reduced to 4 degrees 
of hardness. 
