OCEAN CURRENTS 343 



ting a slow but constant increase mainly of surface tem- 

 perature towards San Diego, and in conformity with the 

 general law of temperature of the ocean. 



(11.) The isothermal line of 35° is uniformly found at 

 the depth of 1,000 fathoms from 50 to 220 miles off shore. 



(12.) The lowest temperature of the water, 32.9°, is 

 found 220 miles off Trinidad Head at a depth of 1,800 

 fathoms. At the same distance from San Diego a tempera- 

 ture of 33.8° is found 2,260 fathoms deep. 



(13.) Off San Diego the temperature of the surface water 

 is highest nearest the shore, while the reverse is true off 

 Trinidad Head. 



(14.) The analyzation of all the surface temperatures 

 proves the existence of a cold w^ater current, about 150 miles 

 wide, on the northern boundary line of California, passing 

 southward Nearest the coast line, which is reduced in width 

 constantly Ciaring its course, until it reaches Point Concep- 

 tion, where it is partly deflected to the southwest and partly 

 buried by warmer surface waters. Its temperature is from 

 45° to .50° in winter time nearest the coast, before Point 

 Arena is reached, and from 50° to 55° further off the coast 

 and until it is submerged north and northwest of the Santa 

 Barbara channel. See Chart II. 



(15.) To the west and south of this cold current appears 

 a great body of warmer water, having a temperature of 

 from 55° to 60° in winter time. Its direction seems south- 

 erly in the north of California, and is doubtful in the region 

 of Southern California. 



(16.) The temperatures of the water 10 fathoms below 

 the surface, generalized on Chart III, demonstrate the accu- 

 racy of the foregoing conclusions. For a cold current 

 which comes to an end near the southern part of California 

 must necessarily lose its width by submerging, and we find 

 on Chart III indeed a constant widening of this cold current, 

 and may prove by it again the characterof its deflection. 

 See Chart III. 



