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13
and the offensive smell abated. I have given
three tables in the Appendix, which exhibit the
composition of the river-water during each month
and quarter of the year. These facts have been
systematically followed out for several years past,
and I place them upon record in order that the
condition of the river may be known for comparison
in future time, when the scheme for the
drainage of the Metropolis shall be completed. The
mode of examination of the river-water is always
the same. Samples are taken, about every ten
days, from the river at high-tide at London Bridge,
and they are at once examined in the laboratory.
Already it has been remarked that the quality of
the water has been much improved since the conservators
of the river have used their authority in
preventing the discharge of noxious matters from
gas works and other factories into the river; and
fish are coming nearer and nearer to the City
confines of the stream. It is hoped that when
the sewage of London is discharged into the
river below the tidal-flow of the stream, the condition
of the water will be still further improved.
One thing, however, is manifest, that as during
three months of the year there is little or no
water flowing downwards in the river, but on
the contrary a rather large supply of sea-water
upwards to compensate for the enormous evaporation
which goes on in the summer and autumn