1864.] J. M. JONES ON OCEAN DRIFTS. 37 



ON OCEAN DRIFTS AND CURRENTS. 



By J. Matthew Jones, F.L.S. 



The currents of the ocean may well be classed among the won- 

 ders of the world; and the most inattentive observer of the great 

 truths of nature, can hardly fail to be struck with admiration on 

 contemplating their magnitude, and considering the benefits de- 

 rived from such movements. 



Throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Antarctic, and Indian 

 Oceans, these currents pass in particular directions, and with great- 

 er or less force, purifying the mass of fluid, and rendering it habi- 

 table to thousands of marine forms, which would otherwise lan- 

 guish and die for want of suitable nourishment. Great are the- 

 struggles which take place between currents and counter currents, 

 especially those of large extent, and many are the instances on rec- 

 ord of vessels being carried by their influence far out of their 

 destined courses, to be cast away upon shores supposed to be many 

 leagues distant. Of late years, more attention has been paid to 

 these phenomena, and the works of Rennel, Smyth, Maury, and 

 others have gained them a notoriety they well deserve, for assured- 

 ly to their power may be attributed the positive existence of many 

 islands now colonized by animal and vegetable life. 



If we take up a hydrographical chart of the world, we shall at 

 once perceive the course of the various currents which are known 

 to navigators at the present day. First — we have the Gulf 

 Stream, issuing from the narrow strait between the southern ex- 

 treme of Florida and the Bahamas, passing, at some distance from 

 land, the coast of the American States, and gradually expanding 

 its limits as it progresses, until about the latitude of Cape Cod, it 

 diverges to the northeast, and proceeding onwards to the northern 

 limits of the Banks of Newfoundland, meets the cold waters of the 

 great Arctic current, which comes down from Davis Straits. Its 

 rate is here lessened ; but although the course is slow from this 

 point, it steadily advances until it reaches the shores of Great 

 Britain and Northern Europe. Secondly — we have the North 

 African current, which sets from the latitude of the Azores, and 

 taking the coast-line of Western Africa, proceeds along the shores 

 of that country to the Gulf of Guinea, and even forther north. 

 This stream, however, appears to divide its waters about the 



