48 THE TIDES OF THE BAY OF FUNDY—MURPHY. 
Art, YII].— Tue Tipes oF THE Bay or Funpy.— By M. 
Mourpauy, C. E., Provincial Government Engineer. 
Member of Council Can. Soe. C. E. 
(Read May 9, 1887.) 
AmonG the manifold phenomena coming daily within the 
range of our observations, there are but few more remarkable 
than the tides which break upon our shores. 
In Nova Scotia we can have, really and truly, a general 
conception of their relative bigness. If we leave Bay Verte, in 
the Straits of Northumberland, proceed through the Strait of 
Canseau, follow the Atlantic shore to Cape Sable, and the Bay of 
Fundy to the head of Chiegnecto Bay, we might, with a well- 
appointed steam yacht, encompass our coast line, and complete 
within 20 miles of an entire circuit, inside the short space of 
40) hours. 
Within that circumscribed limit we would encounter, and 
might observe, many relative phases of tidal oscillation. Our 
departure is from a place where the flood tide cannot reach with- 
out losing in volume and in force, because of its shelter and 
remoteness. Our course is through the Strait of Canseau, where 
prevalent winds arrest the regular tidal flows, and press it for- 
ward through a long and narrow channel at irregular times and 
in fitful directions. Along the Atlantic they are, owing to a more 
conformable coast line, more normal and periodic, whilst in the 
Bay of K'undy they are augmented and turbulent. Yet they are 
all the result of the same tidal wave, which, rising in seas far 
south, rolls through the Atlantic, and in twelve hours, after pass- 
ing the parallel of Cape Horn, is found pouring its flood along 
our shores. During the new and full moon the tides in Nor- 
thumberland Strait rise from five to six feet; in the Strait of 
Canseau about five feet ; along the Atlantic, from Canseau to 
Shelburne, six to seven feet. From Cape Sable to Briar Island 
they are influenced by the Bay of Fundy tides, rising at Briar 
Island to the height of twenty and one-half feet ; and inerease 
