796 ON THE INTIUENCE OF THE OCEAN ON THE ELrAIB-LINE IN INDIA. 
our shores can be affected, as there is no part of the world where the distebing causes 
c» t “nflnential. Had these lateral forces been capable of towmg up the sea 
more and changing the level from the mean more entirely, we should have no means ot 
TteJling large protuberances or extensive hoUows. that is large departures from the 
^elidal fonn either in excess or defect. The sea is our only standard of meastne- 
ment to which the form can be refeired; and were these local depaifmes fi-om the 
mean’ figure capable of drawing the sea-level to a greater conformity wrth themselves, 
than the above calculation shows they are able to do, we might despan- of ever 
oMaining an accui-ate knowledge of the form of the several parts of the sinface however 
much they differed from the spheroid. This problem, as it is, is sufficiently beset with 
difficulties. It is therefore satisfactoiy that this is not added to then numbei. 
Calcutta, Octoler 25, 1858. 
