438 APPENDIX V 



regions. This may either be due to corresponding variations in the 

 Benguela Current — partly because the relation between precipita- 

 tion and evaporation may vary in different years, and partly 

 because there may be variations in the acquisition of less saline 

 water from the Antarctic Ocean. Or it may be due to the 

 Benguela Current in the neighbourhood of St. Helena having 

 a larger admixture of the warm and salt water to the west of it in 

 one year than in another. In either case we may expect a rela- 

 tively low salinity (as in 1906 as compared with 1911) to be 

 accompanied by a relatively low temperature, such as we have 

 found by a comparison of the Planet's observations with those of 

 the Fram. 



We require a larger and more complete material for comparison; 

 but even that which is here referred to shows that there may be 

 considerable yearly variations both in the important, relatively 

 cold Benguela Current, and in the currents in other parts of the 

 South Atlantic. It is a substantial result of the observations 

 made on the Fram's voyage that they give us an idea of great 

 annual variations in so important a region as the South Atlantic 

 Ocean. When the whole material has been further examined 

 it will be seen whether it may also contribute to an understanding 

 of the climatic conditions of the nearest countries, where there 

 is a large population, and where, in consequence, a more accurate 

 knowledge of the variations of climate will have more than a mere 

 scientific interest. 



