On the Solar and Lunar Diurnal Tides of the Coasts of Ireland. 47 



mond himself always been able to obtain it ? Has he not been 

 compelled to suppose that there exists a layer, which he calls the 

 para-electronomic layer, beneath the tendon capable of counter- 

 acting the current, which, when it does occur, soon subsides ? 

 What evidence have we of the existence of this layer beyond that 

 of its enabling us to account for the non-appearance of the 

 assumed current ? And here, in conclusion, we cannot refrain 

 from quoting some remarks we formerly made, and which appear 

 to us to be applicable on the present occasion. In alluding to 

 the possibility of effects occurring with different galvanometers, 

 we stated, " We do not deny, but think it highly probable, that 

 with delicate galvanometers some effect might occur. Assuming 

 that a slight effect were obtained, it would then become a ques- 

 tion whether the effects were not due to the changes which occur 

 at the electrodes, rather than at the points of nutrition or secre- 

 tion. The physical philosopher has an undoubted right to call 

 upon the physiologist to point out the anion and cation in his 

 circuit, or some adequate cause for the current. The fact is, the 

 vagueness associated with the term current has misled physiolo- 

 gists. We are firmly convinced, that, without extreme care, a de- 

 licate galvanometer would only lead to confusion ; there is no dif- 

 ficulty in obtaining an effect upon the needle ; if anything, we 

 obtain more than we want : the great point is to account for it 

 when obtained, i. e. to show with what class of phenomena the 

 effects may be referred"^." We may just add, that these remai-ks 

 were not made in reference to any particular experiments, or that 

 we intended to decry the use of delicate galvanometers, but to 

 show that, in the employment of delicate instruments, greater 

 caution would be requisite in deducing our conclusions. 



[With reference to the foregoing paper, we would express the 

 opinion that the subject treated of is not to be advanced by experi- 

 ments executed in the manner described. The results appear to us 

 to belong to a class which could be obtained without the animal body 

 as well as within it ; they may add to our knowledge of general 

 electromotive actions, but not to our knowledge of animal elec- 

 tricity. — Ens.] 



V. On the Solar and Lunar Diurnal Tides of the Coasts of 

 Ireland. By the Rev. Samuel Haughton, Fellow of Trinity 

 College, Dublinf. 



IN the autumn of 1850, tidal observations were commenced 

 at twelve stations on the coasts of Ireland, under the direc- 

 tion of the Committee of Science of the Royal Irish Academy. 



* Phil. Trans. 1852, p. 286. 



t Results of a paper read before the Royal Irish Academy, April 24, 

 1854. Couiraunicated by the Author. 



