262 



der; the observers were attentive, and generally interested in their 

 work ; and there was no reason to question the accuracy of the ob- 

 servations. During this tour of inspection the differences of level 

 between the zeros of the tide-gauges and the Ordnance bench-marks 

 were remeasured. The results of these measurements are given 

 below.* 



Copies of the observations having been transmitted monthly to 

 the Academy, the Meteorological Observations were handed o ver 

 by the Council to Dr. Lloyd, and the Tidal Observations to Pro- 

 fessor Haughton, these gentlemen having undertaken to reduce and 

 discuss them. By this arrangement the work of reduction was be- 

 gun soon after the commencement of the observations, and it is now 

 far advanced. 



As respects the Tidal Observations, it is to be noted that the 

 chain of stations on the eastern coast is remarkably complete; so 

 that the interesting but obscure phenomena of the Channel Tide 

 will probably be completely elucidated. The data for the discussion 

 of the Ocean Tide, on the western coast, are not so complete, owing 

 to the difficulty of obtaining suitable positions for the erection of the 

 gauges. At Kilrush, in the. mouth of the Shannon, the tide-gauge was 

 washed away by the violence of the sea ; in Clew Bay, the Committee 

 were compelled to abandon the contemplated observations, owing to 

 the character of the beach ; and at Killybegs it was found necessary 

 to erect a tide-pole in place of a gauge, and to limit the observations 

 to those taken on term-days. This deficiency in the number of the 

 western stations is, however, of less importance, owing to the com- 

 paratively simple character of the Ocean Tide. 



The Meteorological Observations appear to have been made and 

 recorded with great care. In the early months, as was anticipated, 

 some mistakes were made ; but they were soon discovered and pointed 

 out; and during the year 1851 they do not appear to have recur- 

 red. The readings of the maximum thermometer are, at some of 

 the stations, too high, especially during the summer months, owing 

 to the influence of radiation on the instrument; but in all other 



* See Appendix, No. II. 



