OCT. — MAR. 1859-60.] Scientific Intelligence. 



347- 



1 foot in every nine from the shore; and that 1,200 feet distance 

 from the Coping Stone corresponded with 25 feet depth of water 

 where the Breakwater Buoy is placed being the result of soundings, 

 and measurement taken by Monsieur Peron, Projector of a former 

 Pier in 1845, and myself with a lead and levelling instrument; but 

 since an artificial slope has been given to the Beach by the Groynes, 

 I have found a difference which will undoubtedly be experienced in 

 all other relations with the shore. 



9. Although of remote importance perhaps, yet, before con- 

 cluding, it is a theme for speculative opinion what further effects 

 may be caused by these Groynes. As the sea has been bodily 

 resisted, what course does the forced water take ? what distance 

 does it run, and when does it find its level ? Time alone can satis- 

 factorily decide the point I presume, and must it not be expected, 

 after allowing for solar evaporation that the great body of opposed 

 water does find its way back again somewhere ? should it return 

 over the Bars at Ennore, Pulicat and Coringa during the Southerly 

 Monsoon and over those at the Adyar, Cuddalore and Porto Novo 

 during the North, the navigation of those backwaters would be con- 

 siderably deepened and improved. 



10. The extension of the Beach also opens a superior mode of 

 supplying water to the Shipping with more convenience, less labour, 

 delay and cost, by having more depots or cisterns extending along 

 the whole line of Beach, so that instead of the former slow plan of 

 only loading one Boat at a time and part of the year dead to leeward 

 half a dozen Boats with casks could be filling. The Navy Trans- 

 ports, English, Country Vessels and Donies all being served at one 

 time, and from more weatherly positions. Formerly in times of 

 war and other expeditionary urgent service, the demand for water 

 could never be met fast enough, an evil now partially remedied by 

 the introduction of more watering places, but which might be made 

 even more complete if more were established North and South of 

 those at present in existence. 



11. In erecting any more Groynes, experience has shown that 

 the proper length of time is of the first and greatest importance to 

 determine, some of those at present in existence are evidently un- 

 necessarily long, and give an unnatural configuration to the line of 

 Vol. xx. o. s. Vol. vii. n. s. 



