( 
iUb PROCEEDINGS OF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
ebb that the current of the flood is often very slight, while the 
ebb is correspondingly strong. The time of high water is con- 
siderably affected by these land floods. 
Obsei \ ations on the tides of the Gulf are very much needed 
and such observations ought to be set on foot by the Government 
in view of the public benefits which would result from an accu- 
rate knowledge of the tides. I have paid more or less attention to 
the tides for the last twenty-five years and have calculated them 
for the local almanacks; but want of proper and sufficient 
observations have prevented the attainment of the requisite 
accuracy. Some time ago X was applied to on the subject by the 
United States Consul here and though I gave what information 
could it was very meagre and uncertain. Tidal observations 
could be easily carried out with the proper instruments at a few 
stations in the Gulf. I should be willing to undertake the work 
of establishing the stations and making the observations. 
., 5“ mixture of a Iar g° quantity of river water with 
u modifies both its saltness and its color. These effects 
are sensible m the wet season even as far out as the islands of 
tha g !°nn , enada and bey0nd themto a distance of more 
th n 100 mile, from the Boca, This produces a corresponding 
effect upon the animal and vegetable life of the region. Though 
Foramim era and Ostracoda have forms belonging to estuarine 
tIi^, and ^ abUndant aS * the rocks of 
fafl^ ey r em t0 be abSent fr ° m the Gulf - 1 have hitherto 
found a f mg ^ ° StraC ° da WhateVer - ° f Foraminifera I 
me b af 7 eXam P l6S at the ^cas and some have occurred to 
W ^ 8anfernand °> bntI believe these to have 
• Ti- 
to the Subkingdom Articulata T certai « I y th « belonging 
presents a mnii i • i i ’ ^ 1S res P ec ^ the water 
most abundant fonTof Hfe whil ^ °1 ^ ^ the 
presentatives the Crust ’ " 6 * 16 former their marine re- 
tires the Ciustacea outnumber all other creatures. 
