There is a vault within the eastern bank to accommodate the pipes which leave the house E, and passing along, connect with those from the house F, and thence the pipes continue along 80th street and the 5th Avenue to the Distributing Reservoir. A vault within the west bank accommodates the pipe which leads from the house H, and intersects the one from G, passing out at 81st street; thus in this street a pipe draws from the southern division at G, and a branch of it passing along within the vault draws from the northern division at H. Provision has been made on the east side of the Reservoir for supplying that part of the city when it becomes necessary. At present there are two pipes leading from this to the Distributing Reservoir, each 3 feet interior diameter, and they are arranged that both may draw from the southern division, or one from that, and one from the northern division. The pipes are placed at a level below the bottom of the division from which they draw: the bottom of the interior of those from the southern division being 2 feet below, and that of those from the northern 5 feet below. The exterior walls of this Reservoir present a face of _rough-hammered_ masonry, finished in a manner to give them neatness and durability. As a specimen of mechanical work, this Reservoir will not bear a comparison with the lower, or Distributing Reservoir, yet the sheet of water it presents, renders it an object of perhaps greater interest. This beautiful lake of pure water resting upon the summit of the Island is truly a pleasing object, and considering its size, is what no other city can boast of having within its limits. The Distributing Reservoir is situated on the west side of the 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets; it is two miles from the Receiving Reservoir, and about three miles from the City-Hall. [Illustration: XXIV _F. B. Tower._ _Napoleon Gimbrede. sc._ DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR.] The question may naturally be asked, why this Reservoir was built, when the receiving one, of such great capacity, is so near at hand? The reason for building it, was to obtain an efficient head of water near to the densely populated parts of the city, and had the formation of the island been favorable, the Receiving Reservoir would undoubtedly have been located farther down, bringing the store of water more nearly in the centre of the city. Plate XXIV. is an isometrical view of the Distributing Reservoir showing the front on the 5th Avenue and on 42nd street.