Meteorological and Aslronofnical Notices. 173 



will bo fully understood ; and though thoy may vary somewhat in 

 strength and place, yet to be forewarned of their locality is some- 

 thing, and when astronomical observations cannot be procured to 

 eliminate their effects, the thermometer seems to promise to indicate 

 at least the direction of them. 



Thus, entrance into the Gulf Stream, or a current carrying the 

 ship from south to north, can be detected in the cloudiest weather, 

 when there is so large a change in the temperature of the sea, as 

 shewn in the following observations on board the Fairy : — 



And again the cold current pouring down from Baffin's Bay, and 

 penetrating with its vehement force far into the proper limits of the 

 Gulf Stream, is shewn thus clearly by the log of the Argo : — 



Further, a set of *' whaW'' charts are being formed, or charts 

 whereon the places and seasons wherever whales have been seen, are 

 noted down ; and while they promise to be of great service to that 

 important branch of the American fisheries, seem to shew that the 

 whales have a great deal more knowledge than we have usually given 

 them credit for, and know a great deal more about the warm and 

 cold currents of the ocean w^aters than we do, or have done. 



It is not to be wondered that Lieut. Maury says that all these 

 charts are eagerly sought and highly prized By practical American 

 navigators, and it is hoped that British seamen will likewise both 

 avail themselves of them, and contribute materials for perfecting 

 them. 



The task undertaken, while confessedly so useful, is a great and an 

 endless t»ne, for year by year as observations are multiplied, and it is 

 hoped improved in accuracy (for instance, anemometrical determinations 

 given in place of the mere testimony of the feelings, correction made 

 for the motion of the vessel, and all directions corrected for the varia- 

 tion of the compass), — they must be continually added to the charts, 

 and perhaps new ones will have to be made to suit the secular altera- 

 tions of climate. 



We can but fancy what an accession to knowledge would accrue, 

 if the myriad log-books of all British vessels were to be searched, as 

 the American ones now are, and made to disgorge the mass of facts 

 which they retained so long and so secretly. But we should have a 



