LU ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



of the current. From our observation, the effect of any storms which 

 occur during the summer season seldom extends to a greater depth than 



or 10 fathoms; and it was therefore found that the behaviour of the 

 under-curreint at 15 to 30 fathoms afforded a most valuable indication 

 of the normal character of the current. In these currents, the tidal 

 element is almost invariably present in some form, more or less dis- 

 tinct; and this is almost always combined with a tendency to make on 

 the whole in some one direction. It is not therefore possible to main- 

 tain an arbitrary distinction between "constant currents" and "tidal 

 streams " ; but the only natural distinction is to use the term current 

 for all horizontal movements of the water, and tide for the vertical 

 movement from high to low water. 



The following features in the behaviour of these currents have now 

 been ascertained by the observations made: — (1) When more than five 

 miles from shore, there are no currents at any time throughout the- 

 season which exceed one knot per hour in any direction. The only 

 exception to this is the Polar current, in which a maximum speed of 



1 -15 knots was observed. (2) On the south coast, when within four 

 or five miles of the shore, the current is chiefly governed by the tide, 

 and sets in the two oppoàte directions alternately; but the farther out 

 the point of observation, the greater the tendency for the direction 

 of the current to veer completely around the compass. (3) The water 

 makes northwestward on the whole along the south shore, from Cape 

 Eace towards Plaoentia Bay; that is to say, when a long average is 

 taken, the set is more frequently in that direction than in any other. 

 (4) With regard to indraught towards the bays, the water makes inwards 

 on the whole on the eastemj side of Placentia Bay in the same sense 

 that it makes northwestward along the south coast. A corresponding 

 indraught is felt at certain times of the tide, on the east side of St. 

 Mary's Bay. As already noted regarding the currents in general, these 

 indraughts do not exceed one knot at an offing of five miles. (5) The 

 Polar current sets very constantly to the southwest for a width of 30 

 or 40 miles off the eastern coast. During times of disturbance, it may 

 set southeastward, or even be reversed, on the surface. When such 

 disturbance occurs, it is usually for part of a day immediately before 

 a gale comes on. 



Density and Temperature of the Water. — Extended observations of 

 density and teimpcrature were taken during the season. This was done 

 in the hope of tracing the movement of the water, as this method had 

 proved so serviceable in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The density of 

 the water was taken at the surface only. The variation did not prove 

 sufficient, however, to be relied upon as an indication of direction of 



