338 OF TIDES. 



Iii Karaliakooa Bay, Sandwich Islands, the tides are very regu- 

 lar, ebbing and flowing six hours each alternately *. 



At the town of St. Peter and Paul, in Kamschatka, the tides are 

 very regular every twelve hours f. 



Mr. Wales acknowledges that the tides observed in the middle 

 of the great Pacific ocean fall short full two-thirds of what might 

 have been expected from calculation {. 



The course of the tides towards the equator in the South Sea ; 

 their retardations and accelerations on these shores; their direc- 

 tions, sometimes eastward, sometimes westward, according to tlie 

 monsoons ; finally, their elevation, which increases in proportion 

 as we approach the poles, and diminishes in proportion to the dis- 

 tances from it, even between the tropics, demonstrate that their 

 focus is not under the line. The cause of their motions depends not 

 on the attraction or pressure of the sun and moon on that part of 

 the ocean, for their forces would undoubtedly act there with the 

 greatest energy, and in periods as regular as the course of the two 

 luminaries. 



Why, then, are the tides between the tropics so feeble and so 

 much retarded under the direct influence of the moon ? 



Why does the moon, by her attraction, give us two tides every 

 twertty-four hours in the Atlantic ocean^. and produce only one in 

 many parts of the South sea, which is incomparably broader? 



Why do the tides take place there constantly at the same hours, 

 and rise to a regular height almost all the year round 1 



Why do some rise at the quarters just the same as at the full and 

 change 1 



Why are they always stronger as you approach the poles, and 

 frequently set in toward the line, contrary to the principle of lunar 

 impulsion? 



These problems, which it is impossible to explain by the lunar 

 theory, admit an easy solution on the hypothesis of the alternate 

 fusion of the polar ices. 



Such are the most material objections adduced to invalidate the 

 lunar theory. How far they are conclusive, shall be left to future 

 investigation. 



But St. Pierre is not content with demolishing the old structure ; 



Clerke, March 1779. i Ckrkc, Oct. 1779. 



J Introduction to Cook'i last Voyage. 



