On wave equations for viscous fluids

This paper deals with wave equations describing small-amplitude disturbances in horizontally stratified, continuously varying, viscous fluids; gradients of the static pressure and of the coefficient of viscosity are neglected. A set of equations in first-order matrix form, which describes coupled longitudinal and transverse disturbances, is treated by the methods ofClemmow andHeading and ofHeading.The work of this paper could be extended in a number of ways; for example, the effect of a gravitational field could be included, and the coefficient of viscosity could be allowed to vary with position.