13-i JOURNAL OF THE WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES VOL. U, NO. G 



the south-flowing branch of the Labrador Current are carried along 

 the eastern edge of the Newfoundland Bank and southward toward 

 the Gulf Stream. By measurements of temperature and salinity the 

 course and extent of these streams can be determined, salinity generally 

 being the most reliable indication. The temperature of the Labrador 

 Current is — l°to +1° C, with a salinity of 33 grams of salt per 1000 

 grams of sea water; the Gulf Stream has a temperature of 15° to 20° C, 

 with a salinity of 36. South of the Grand Bank, where the Labrador 

 Current merges into the Gulf Stream, a large area of mixed water is 

 formed, and at this place the Labrador Current ceases as an individual 

 current. In this mixed water almost all the icebergs remain until 

 they melt, and, as this area is usually very foggy from the mixing of 

 the warm and cold waters, it becomes extremely dangerous for vessels. 

 At no time during the last four years has an iceberg ever been located 

 in the unmixed waters of the Gulf Stream, which have a salinity of 

 36 and a temperature above 15° C. Therefore, if vessels while passing 

 the Newfoundland Bank would keep in this warm salt water there 

 would be little danger from ice, and furthermore such a course would 

 avoid most of the fog. 



A comparison of the yearly observations show that the volume and 

 strength of the Labrador Current have a decided influence on the course 

 of the Gulf Stream in this vicinity. In some years the Gulf Stream 

 was found almost up to the southern end of the Grand Bank, in other 

 years as far south as the 40th degree of north latitude, a variation of 

 over KJO miles. This variation in the deflecting power of the Labra- 

 dor Current must have an effect on the volume of flow of the Gulf 

 Stream to the eastward and also possibly west of this position. A more 

 accurate knowledge of the volume, velocity, and location of these cur- 

 rents from time to time, and correlation with meteorological condi- 

 tions, might yield results of great interest. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE WORK 



The science of physical oceanography, having passed the period 

 of exploration, should now be undertaken on a large scale with most 

 carefully worked out plans of systematic investigation extending over 

 a long period of time. This can be most effectively accomplished by : 

 (1) international cooperation; (2) development of instruments; (3) 

 establishment of a permanent oceanographic laboratory. 



International cooperation. — The oceanographers of Europe for many 

 years have been engaged in the study of the North Sea and sur- 

 rounding waters. They have built many ingenious instruments and 



