Dr. Dana, of Lowell, has lately investigated

this subject and detected lead in the water which had passed through the leadenpipes for the distribution of water in the city of Lowell. The first examination was made from a sample of water taken from the source or spring-head before it had entered the leaden pipes, when the specific gravity was found to be 1,000,18. The pint, on evaporation to dryness, yielded 2.37 grains of solid matter. The solid contents of an imperial pint were found to be,

Grains.

Chloride of Sodium, - 1.54

Chloride of Magnesia, - - - 0.71

Sulphate of Lime, - - - 0.128

A trace of Carbonic acid, Grains, 2.378

Excess in the course of analysis - .008

The second examination was made of water taken from the leaden pipes when the specific gravity was found to be 1.000.42. Upon a pint of this water being evaporated to dryness it yielded two grains of solid matter, (viz.)

Carbonate of lead - 164 Grains,

Organic matter ana salts 036 „

Excess in analysis, - 002 - ,,

It therefore has been calculated that every gallon of the water used after pass-

* Where water contains a large quantity of carbonic acid, there are some facts which appear to prove, that it may act on lead, to an injurious extent, though there may be present a large amount of neutral salts.

ing through the leaden pipes, contains 1.312 grains of the carbonate of lead. Such water, although it would not speedily destroy life, would undoubtedly be attended wtih injurious consequences, should its use be habitually continued. On the other hand, Dr. Hare of Philadelphia, in reply to a letter requesting his opinion as to the action of the Schuylkill water* on lead pipes, states that after