establishments referred to, in accordance with the ordinances heretofore passed, the evil would in a great measure be removed, and the proposed large expenditure for the extension of the inlet pipe might be delayed until a sounder opinion could be formed as to the best plan for securing a constant supply of the pure water that we have within our reach, or it might then be found to be unnecessary. But, on the contrary, if the Common Council determine that the removal of the offensive establishments already referred to is inexpedient or impracticable, and the employment of the pumping works at Bridgeport too uncertain and expensive, then the Board, with its present light, would recommend the extension of the inlet pipe as the most feasible plan, considering the cost that has been before them. If the Common Council deem the suggested extension of the inlet pipe the most practicable of the several projects considered, and shall by ordinance authorize the Board of Public Works to issue sufficient water loan bonds for this purpose, the work will be commenced in the spring, provided that a contract can be made with responsible parties for the completion of the work at a price within the range of our estimated cost. At various times during the past year specimens of water were collected at different places from the lake, and in some instances from the river, for the purpose of getting the light to this matter to be had from a chemical analysis. These various specimens were placed in the hands of Messrs. Blaney & Mariner, and were analyzed by them. The results of their examination are embodied in their report, which we here introduce. It will be found to furnish information of interest and value as to the qualities of the water in different localities, and in different conditions of the lake. MESSRS. BLANEY & MARINER'S REPORT. CHICAGO ASSAY OFFICE, To the Board of Public Works of the City of Chicago: GENTLEMN: In the accompanying tables we present the results of our analyzation of twenty-three samples of water, collected and placed in our hands by E. S. Chesbrough, Esq. They were contained in glass demijohns, sealed and numbered. The localities, from which they were obtained, were not given, and are unknown to us. The samples were received at different times, from the 18th of April to the 20th of November last. Table A shows the substances detected in the waters, and gives, in grains, the quantities of each in one gallon.* It presents the direct results of the analyzation from which those given in table B are derived by calculation. Table B shows the manner in which the substances, enumerated in table A, are combined together among themselves; the compounds thus formed; and the quantity, in grains, of each in one gallon. It may not be superfluous here to state, that most of the substances, mentioned in table A, do not exist in the waters themselves in the free, or separate, state in which they are there presented; on the contrary, they are combined with one another; the sulphuric acid, for instance, with a portion of the lime, forming sulphate of lime, and the rest of the lime with carbonic acid, forming carbonate of lime. In like manner are formed carbonate of magnesia, chloride of sodium, &c., in the quantities and in the proportions set forth in table B. *Throughout the Report and tables, the U. S. standard gallon, (or wine gallon), of 231 cubic inches, is referred to. It contains 58,318 grains of water. These results show the presence in the waters of four distinet classes of substances, namely: Sulphate of lime. Carbonate of lime. Carbonate of magnesia. I. SOLID MINERAL MATTER, Chloride of sodium. Protoxide of iron, alumina Proceeding to treat of these classes in order, we have First, Solid Mineral Substances.-These are the most abundant, and have a practical interest on account of their relation to animal and vegetable life, domestic economy, manufactures, the generation of steam, &c., &c. They are found, in greater or less quantity, in all natural waters. Rain water, however, if collected at a distance from habitations or the sea, does not contain them in any sensible quantity. Natural waters, arranged according to their general purity, will appear in the following order: |