Preface. Account of Operations.

A Committee appointed for the examination of the question of the Harmonic Analysis of Tidal Observations practically finds itself engaged in the question of the reduction of Indian Tidal Observations; since it is only in that country that any extensive system of observation with systematic publication of results exists.

[Early in 1883] I proceeded to draw up a considerable part of this Report, had it printed, and submitted it to Major Baird. I was not at that time aware of the extent to which Mr Roberts, of the Nautical Almanac office, co-operated in England in the tidal operations, nor did I know that he was not unfrequently taking the advice of Professor Adams. It was not until Major Baird had read what I had written, and expressed his approval of the methods suggested, that these facts came to my knowledge; but it must be admitted that it was through my own carelessness that this was so. I then found that Professor Adams decidedly disapproved of the notation adopted, and would have preferred to throw over the notation of the old Reports and take a new departure. The notation of the old Reports seems to me also to be unsatisfactory, but, seeing that Major Baird and his staff were already familiar with that notation, I considered that an entire change would be impolitic, and that it was better to allow the greater part of the existing notation to stand, but to introduce modifications.