( 807 ) 



stances which will occur on (lie two. Afterwards the circumstance 

 that, on the Suez-canal the velocity of the current offers no difficulty, 



in conjunction with the probable value of the velocity of this canal, 

 will help us in deciding' whether these differences are of such a 

 nature as to produce undoubted difficulties on the Panama-canal. 



In making this comparison it will be permissible to assume that 

 the violent winds occurring in the Suez-canal, which cause velocities 

 of the current 0.30 to 0.50 iVI. in excess of those due to the tidal 

 motions, are not to be expected on the Panama-canal near the Pacific. 



First, however, we have to inquire whether an open canal cannot 

 be executed in such a way that for that part where the -current 

 will be greatest the difficulties caused by such great velocities can 

 be removed. It is evident that this would be possible only by giving 

 a very great width to the canal. This is practically impossible for 

 that part of the canal which intersects mountainous country, but it 

 is well feasible for that part of the canal which extends from the 

 Pacific to the Culebra mountain, that is to near Pedro-Miguel, a 

 part which for the greater part intersects low country. 



If to this part of the canal, where just the greatest velocities will 

 occur, a bottomwidth is given of for instance 500 feet (about 150 M.) 

 instead of 150 feet (45.7 M.) no difficulties will be experienced from 

 any presumable velocity of the current. 



Such a widening of the canal on the side of the Pacific would 

 however increase the inclination and the velocity of the current in 

 the remaining part, at least if no particular measures are taken to 

 prevent such increase. 



These measures would necessarily consist in making a reservoir 

 or lake in open communication with the widened part of the canal. 

 This reservoir or lake would have to be of such an area that it would 

 be capable of retaining the water which, during the rise of the level, 

 it would receive from the widened part in excess of what would 

 be discharged by the unwidened part. During the fall of the level 

 it would restore this surplus to the widened part. 



From the nature of the thing this arrangement is theoretically 

 possible. Whether it be practically possible depends on the surface 

 which a determinate widening would entail. 



A lake of somewhat over 800 H.A., such as is represented on 

 Plate I, is feasible in the low country bordering on the canal near 

 its mouth on the Pacific. 



Starting from this area it is possible to determine the degree of 

 widening which may be given to the part near the Pacific in such 

 a way that, under given circumstances, for instance at spring tide, 



