CIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



a few hours, it is unlikely that the disturbance extends to more than 5 

 fathoms from the surface. The normal conditions should, therefore, 

 be quickly restored, because of the depth of the current. 



Temperature of the Water. — Extended temperature observations 

 vere taken during the season on the surface and to a depth of 30 

 fathoms. The indications thus obtained were not sufficiently distinct 

 to trace any general movement of the water, or to infer its continuous 

 displacement from the relative temperatures of the flood and ebb. Some 

 interesting results were obtained however, amongst which may be 

 noted the effect of islands and shoals in modifying the temperature of 

 the water. This appears to result from the stirring up of the water, 

 and it causes a long trail or wake of colder water to extend from islands 

 or shoals along the line of the current. When the water moves to and 

 fro in an unbroken sheet, as it does outside the 50-fathom line, where 

 clear of obstruction, the surface temperature is more uniform, and the 

 rise in temperature with the progress, of the season is more easily 

 ascertained. 



Where the islands and shoals are numerous, the general effect of 

 these strong currents is to chill the water in the vicinity of the coast, by 

 mixing 'the surface water with the colder water from below. It is 

 possible that this lowering of the surface temperature may have a bear- 

 ing on the formation of fog in these regions. 



Tidal Observations and Tide Levels. In the tidal branch of the 

 survey, the principal tidal stations in Eastern Canada and Labrador 

 have been continued in operation throughout the year without any 

 serious interruption. The improvement of most importance is 

 the installation of a new tide gauge at Father Point on the wharf \ now 

 under construction. This will afford a better tidal record than it has 

 been possible to obtain from the present gauge, which was built to act 

 by syphoning; although the results have been supplemented by a large 

 amount of technical work to obtain a satisfactory reduction of the 

 record. The benefit to navigation on the St. Lawrence is important, 

 as the tides and currents throughout the open estuary are referred 

 to Father Point as their port of reference. 



Some further progress has been made in the direction of giving 

 permanence to tide levels. The importance of the determination of 

 mean sea level, with reference to Bench Marks, has been recognized 

 by the Academy of Science of France, which has awarded Dr. Dawson 

 the Gay prize of 1,500 francs for work of this character, because of its 

 scientific value in relation to the question of the secular movement of 

 the land relatively to the ocean. 



