U = −ψ − 2 (a2 + λ) ,

(11)

and so the boundary condition is satisfied; moreover, any ellipsoidal surface λ may be supposed moving as if rigid with the velocity in (11), without disturbing the liquid motion for the moment.

The continuity is secured if the liquid between two ellipsoids λ and λ1, moving with the velocity U and U1 of equation (11), is squeezed out or sucked in across the plane x = 0 at a rate equal to the integral flow of the velocity ψ across the annular area α1 − α of the two ellipsoids made by x = 0; or if

αU − α1U1 = ∫λ1λ ψ dλ,

(12)

α = π√ (b2 + λ.c2 + λ).

(13)

Expressed as a differential relation, with the value of U from (11),

d[ αψ + 2 (a2 + λ) α ] − ψ = 0,