DRINKABLE SEA WATER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22609, 28 June 1935, Page 18

DRINKABLE SEA WATER

Officials of the British Government Chemical Research Laboratory at Teddington demonstrated before the learned guests of the Royal Society at a conversazione held at Burlington House, London, how sea water could be made drinkable by being passed through four glass tubes containing synthetic resins. It is hoped that this discovery will provide a cheaper and morcr perfect' method of water softening than any at present available. It should also make it possible for shipping companies to supply passengers with fresh water baths when at sea. This " softened " sea water, however cannot be recommended for drinking. It is harmless and does not contain salt, but there remains a slight flavour of the sea. Many stange and brightlycoloured sea creatures were exhibited. They had been collected by the researcli vessel of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth, and brought by rail to London in special sea water containers earlier in the day. A fish that walks on its "fingers" and feels for its food with them as well; a cousin of the star fish that breathes through its tail, and what was described to a representative of the Morning Post as " the mo3t ferocious creature in proportion to its size yet known" were only a few of the hundred? of specimens on view. The "most ferocious creature"—a marine cousin of the wood louse—was harmless enough to look at, but there is practically no limit but aize to what it will tackle in quest of food.