20 ACTION OF THE LUNAR TIDES 



junction with and in opposition to the annual tide: 

 also being alternately in conjunction with and in oppo- 

 sition to each of the solar tides in that same period. 

 And when at any of the periods of conflict which we 

 have described between the annual tide and the solar 

 tides, the lunar tides act in conjunction with either of 

 the opposing forces, then the conflict will be intensified; 

 whereas at other times the influence of the lunar tides 

 will be such as to cause a gradual coalescence and cross- 

 ing instead of a sudden conflict between those forces. 

 And, not only will the lunar tides thus tend at 

 times to diminish and at other times to increase the 

 intensity of those conflicts; but also, they will at 

 times tend t6 retard and at other times to hasten 

 their occurrence : causing them to take place some- 

 times before, and "at other times after the solstitial 

 and equinoctial periods at which they would other- 

 wise recur with precision. And besides this, the 

 lunar tides will themselves have periods of inde- 

 pendent conflict with the annual tide ; and also with 

 the solar tides. Let us consider the manner in which 

 their influence may act at the various epochs of 

 conflict. 



180. If at the September equinox the moon cross 

 equator, in either direction, at the same time as the 

 sun, it will tend to intensify the equinoctial conflicts 

 in the northern hemisphere; or if at the March 

 equinox it cross the equator, in either direction, at 

 the same time as the sun, it will tend to intensify 



