Chap. I.l 



TIDES IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. 



119 



from tlie general results, and establish a correct theory of 

 the movement of the waters in the Indian Ocean. It is 

 now nearly a quarter of a century, since Dr. Whewell 

 laid the foundation of the inquiry and endeavoured to 

 ehcit the co-operation of practical men in its solution ; 

 and though much has been done to accumulate facts, still 

 observations have not yet been made in sufficient number 

 to lead to an inference as to the probable truth of any 

 hypothesis based upon those akeady recorded.^ 



^ That the question is not unworthy 

 of the attention of intelligent officers 

 in Ceylon, hampered as the coast- 

 canying trade of the island is by tliose 

 singular sand-barriers, to which I 

 have referred in a former passage 

 (see Vol. I. Pt. I. ch. i. p. 45), is 

 shown by a recent report, an extract 

 from which has fallen into my hands 

 while this volume is passing through 

 the press. Lieut. Tx\.yloe, of the 

 Indian Navy, in remarking on similar 

 accumulations of sand which obstruct 

 tlie navigation at Cochin, observes, 

 " that a minute knowledge both of 

 the set of the tides and of the pre- 

 vailing ocean currents, as also of the 

 heaviest swell of the south-west 

 monsoon, is indispensable to a right 



judgment " in regard to any projected 

 improvements at the former port, 

 lie enters into a minute examination 

 of the question, supporting his view 

 by reference to facts respecting the 

 tides on the west side of India. 

 That the materials derived from other 

 authority than his owti were meagre 

 and inadequate, woidd be seen by a 

 perusal of his Report ; nor can much 

 be done to assist in arri^-ing at more 

 mature conclusions, mitil the autho- 

 rities recognise the importance of the 

 inquiry, or enterprising officers, with 

 adequate means at their disposal, go 

 to the very moderate expense of 

 fitting up self-registering tide-gauges 

 at points along the coast. 



I 4 



