CLYDE SEA AREA. 



703 



cussion, it were assumed that there was no evaporation, the rainfall would just account for 

 the observed difference of salinity. These facts are pointed out as justifying the opinion 

 that the tidal withdrawing action cannot remove the fresh water as rapidly as it is poured 

 in, and that consequently the salinity falls very much in proportion as the rainfall increases ; 

 but the uncertainty of all the data make it impossible to prove any definite hypothesis. 

 on the subject. 



The data given in the various tables, although only treated in a general manner, 

 might be utilised for making a detailed study of the variations of salinity in any one of 

 the various basins. I had made some progress with an exhaustive treatment of the 

 seasonal and occasional variations of salinity in Loch Fyne, for which the observations 

 are most numerous, when it became evident that the uncertainty of the rainfall statistics 

 did not justify the great labour which would be necessary in order to complete the work. 

 The differences to be reasoned upon lay in most cases within the limits of probable 

 error. The provisional conclusions come to may, however, be given, fragmentary though 

 they be. 



Salinity of Loch Fyne. — Calculations were made to show the distribution of salinity 

 for each of the trips with the following results : — Table XXXII. shows the average 

 density of a vertical section of the water at each station for every trip. By comparison 

 with Table XIX., the small effect on the mass of water produced by great variations of 

 surface density becomes apparent. The stations of Kilfinan and Skate Island, outside 

 the basin of Loch Fyne, are added for comparison. 



Table XXXII. — Density of Water in Loch Fyne {Supply TO). 





Cuill. 



Dunderawe. 



Inveraray. 



Strachur. 



Furnace. 



Gortans. 



Otter. 



Kilfinan. 



Skate Isld. 



April 1886, 

 June „ 

 August 



September „ f 

 November „ 

 December „ 

 February 1887, 

 March „ 

 May 



June „ 

 July 

 September „ 



Mean, . . 



2430 



2445 



2340 



2430* 



2150* 



2290* 



2090* 



2086 



2310 



2282 



2410* 



2390 



2445 



2450 



2370 



2435* 



2215 



2349 



2280* 



2311 



2400 



2381 



2440* 



2410 



2440 



2470 



2394 



2455* 



2368 



2405 



2360* 



2385 



2410 



2392 



2435* 



2430J 



2442 



2470 



2445§ 



2465* 



2360 



2428* 



2390* 



2388 



2415* 



2455* 



2465* 



2440 



2462 



2473 



2460 



2470* 



2410 



2424* 



2390* 



2380* 



2435* 



2455* 



2459* 



2450 



2470 



2480 



2480 



2480* 



2430* 



2440* 



2350* 



2418* 



2460* 



2470* 



2470* 



2475 



2472 



2495 



2490 



2490* 



2450* 



2468* 



2450* 



2426* 



2470 



2490* 



2486* 



2485 



2472 



2500 



2503 



2490* 



2460* 



2480* 



2450* 



2462* 



2475 



2500* 



2495* 



2510 



2475 



2500 



2515 



2490* 



2465* 



2490* 



2450* 



2473* 



2480 



2510* 



2518* 



2490 



2304 



2374 



2412 



2431 



2439 



2452 



2473 



2483 



2487 



* No intermediate sample taken ; twice as much weight given to bottom as to surface density. 

 j- The figures of this trip are for the most part interpolated, 

 t Recorded observation 2375, probably a mistake. 

 | Recorded observation 2485, probably a mistake. 



The mean salinity at surface and bottom, and the average salinity assumed for a 



