

166 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



Above Queensferry some singular irregularities, termed 

 Leakies, occur. Before high-water the tide begins to ebb, 

 then, after a time, turns and continues to flow till high 

 water ; also before low water the tide begins to flow, then 

 turns and ebbs till low water. This has been ascribed to 

 the contraction at Queensferry; — enough of water cannot 

 in consequence flow in to supply the level places of the 

 shore ; the tide therefore flows back from the river to serve 

 this purpose. The velocity of the tide varies in different 

 parts of the Firth, and this variation is connected with the 

 place of the moon and the force of the winds. 



