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XII. Description of a Graphical Registrer of Tides and Winds. By Henry 
R. Palmer, Civil Engineer. Communicated by John William Lubbock, 
Esq. V. P. and Treas. R.S. 
Read March 10, 1831. 
In the exercise of my profession, particularly in reference to questions re- 
lating to harbours and tidal rivers, I have frequently had occasion for a train 
of observations on the rate of the rising and falling of the tides, continued 
through at least one whole series of them. Such observations have usually 
been made at intervals of fifteen minutes, and in order to exhibit the rates of 
rising and falling in the different periods of the same tide, and the differences 
of the several tides, I have represented them in the form of a chart. 
The Plate No. IV. exhibits one of those charts which was made previously 
to the commencement of a new entrance to the London Docks. The use 
of it was to ascertain for what length of time there would be a given depth of 
water about the said entrance, and in the channel of the river near to it, during 
the different tides. 
Having for some time past directed my attention to the nature of the effect 
that will be produced on the tides of the river Thames in the port of London 
by the removal of London Bridge, I have thought it very important that the 
changes should be progressively marked as they occur, that the ultimate con- 
sequences may with more ease and certainty be demonstrated. 
In order to continue a series of constant, and, as far as possible, of unerring 
observations through so great a length of time as must necessarily elapse during 
the progress of these changes, I have realised an idea which I have for many 
years entertained, and for which the works now carrying on at the London 
Docks, under my direction, afford me an excellent opportunity of carrying into 
effect, viz. To construct a machine which being acted upon jointly by a time- 
piece, and a float resting on the water, shall represent every tide in succession 
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MDCCCXXXI. 
