220 Captain Anderson on the peculiarity of the tides 
This accumulation is of course the same every where within 
the straits of Dover (from Dungeness to a ridge of rocks 
to the eastward of the South Foreland), and also extends 
some distance without them, as far as the easternmost point of 
Fairleigh on the one side, and the North Foreland on the 
other ; Dungeness west bay, and the Downs, forming as it 
were two large natural basons or reservoirs at each ex- 
tremity of these straits, for the reception of the accumulated 
-water, until it can find a passage. On this account the water 
must rise accordingly by the ground, or on the shore, 
during the time of this accumulation, wherever it takes place ; 
and it is indeed found to be at its greatest height or mak- 
ing high water by the ground , at about three hours and a 
quarter after the tide of flood has run from the westward. 
At this time all the sands without the North Foreland are 
covered, and afford a greater vent for the discharge of the 
accumulated water. The extensive flats also on both sides 
of the channel, on which the sea now flows in like a torrent, 
demand a greater supply than is received through the Dun- 
geness passage. From this period then (viz. three hours 
and a quarter after the regular flood tide has run to the east- 
ward), the water is drawn off from the places where it had 
accumulated, and begins to fall gradually by the shore dur- 
ing the remaining three hours and a quarter, in which the 
current of the tide runs to the eastward ; making half tide 
of ebb by the ground, within the straits of Dover and the 
two reservoirs or basons, when the current of the tide ceases 
to run to the eastward ; at which time it is high water every 
where without these limits, allowing for the inequalities of 
the coast, the water having now generally acquired a level. 
