262 
der; the observers were attentive, and generally interested in their 
work; and there was no reason to question the accuracy of the ob- 
servations. During this tour of inspection the differences of level 
between the zeros of the tide-gauges and the Ordnance bench-marks 
were remeasured. The results of these measurements are given 
below.* 
Copies of the observations having been transmitted monthly to 
the Academy, the Meteorological Observations were handed o ver 
by the Council to Dr. Lloyd, and the Tidal Observations to Pro- 
fessor Haughton, these gentlemen having undertaken to reduce and 
discuss them. By this arrangement the work of reduction was be- 
gun soon after the commencement of the observations, and itis now 
far advanced. 
As respects the Tidal Observations, it is to be noted that the 
chain of stations on the eastern coast is remarkably complete; so 
that the interesting but obscure phenomena of the Channel Tide 
will probably be completely elucidated. The data for the discussion 
of the Ocean Tide, on the western coast, are not so complete, owing 
to the difficulty of obtaining suitable positions for the erection of the 
gauges. At Kilrush, in the mouth of the Shannon, the tide-gauge was 
washed away by the violence of the sea; in Clew Bay, the Committee 
were compelled to abandon the contemplated observations, owing to 
the character of the beach; and at Killybegs it was found necessary 
to erect a tide-pole in place of a gauge, and to limit the observations 
to those taken on term-days. This deficiency in the number of the 
western stations is, however, of less importance, owing to the com- 
paratively simple character of the Ocean Tide. 
The Meteorological Observations appear to have been made and 
recorded with great care. In the early months, as was anticipated, 
some mistakes were made; but they were soon discovered and pointed 
out; and during the year 1851 they do not appear to have recur- 
red. The readings of the maximum thermometer are, at.some of 
the stations, too high, especially during the summer months, owing 
to the influence of radiation on the instrument; but in all other 
*See Appendix, No. II. 
