Pollywogs in City Water

 

 

Utica Morning Herald, Monday, August 16, 1880.

POLLYWOGS IN CITY WATER.

   "Do you drink city water?" inquired a gentleman of a HERALD representative yesterday. When a reply was made in the affirmative the gentleman drew a goblet of water from a faucet and held it up to the light. The reporter found a lively explanation of the question within the goblet and without the aid of a microscope. Fully ten or fifteen white wiggling things with black eyes, from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch in length, were having quite a good time frolicking around in the goblet. Within three minutes enough sand to cover a three cent piece had settled in the bottom of the goblet. The wigglers resembled faded pollywogs. It is supposed that their color had been changed by long confinement within the dark pipes. Sections of dead wigglers were floating in the water.

   When asked how long these things had been seen in the water, the gentleman said that he first noticed them three or four days ago. Sitting four feet away from the goblet the wigglers could easily be seen. A specimen of the water is to be given to Chemist Hodges for examination. Possibly whales and baby elephants in embryo may be developed.

   Curious people may test the water for themselves today. Dr. West made complaint regarding the impure condition of the city water at the last meeting of the Oneida County medical society, while other physicians asserted that it was pure and good. The water of itself may be pure, but its contents, especially after a heavy rain are liable to be rather mixed. While there is any question regarding the condition of the water, one thing is certain—city water should not be used just now until it is filtered and boiled and this rule will be beneficial if it is followed all the year around. Boiling will kill all animal life and filtering will clear the water of the remains of such matter.