The remarkable circulation of the reports of Sir Alexander Houston, extending as they do almost round the entire world, is possibly the most eloquent tribute to the scientific and literary value of the reports. In America, the publications of the London Metropolitan Water Board are yearly anticipated, not only on account of their uniqueness, but for their practical value. On numerous occasions they have been of material value in aiding in the solution of different problems arising out of the treatment and purification of public water supplies. In previous years the history of some of the sources of London's water were given. The current report includes the illustration of the River Lee as a source of supply. A study of the text and reference to the photographs, reproducing as they do many historical pictures and nature studies, will enable the reader to take a romantic journey through some of the most beautiful English scenery along the banks of the River Lee from its source to the purification works, where a total of 62 million imperial gallons is daily extracted. This represents a little less than one-quarter of London's supply. In the Lee valley artificial storage reservoirs cover 904 acres and hold in the aggregate 5541 milljkm gallons. The introduction includes many expressions of literary value rarely found in a report of a technical nature. Sir Alexander states:
Read full abstract