PROCEEDINGS FOR 1896 XV] I 



greater tluin at the surlace ; and this accounts for the otherwise anoma- 

 lous fact of the coldest water not sinking- lower. These features 

 characterize the deep water of the gulf in different regions and in 

 ditterent months. The relations of temperature to density at various 

 depths are given in detail in the report on this survey, which is now in 

 press, and from these it is clear that the temperature cannot be taken as 

 giving any definite indication of direction of movement of the water. 



On the other hand, the density of the water, which is a measure of 

 the amount of fresh water with which it is mixed, is of special value in 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the northeastern portion of the gulf, and 

 along the west coast of Newfoundland, the density ranges as high as 

 1*0233 to 1-0245. This is much the same as in the open Atlantic, as the 

 density of the surface water off the coast of jS'ova Scotia was found to 

 range from 1'0235 to 1*0245. Again, on the western side of Cabot Strait 

 the outflowing water has a density of 1-0220 to 1-0235; and between the 

 Gaspé coast and Anticosti the outflowing water ranges in density from 

 1-0210 to 1-0225. This distinct ditfei-ence in density, especially towards 

 the surface, affords, therefore, an indication which is much more definite 

 than difference of temperature, for the purpose of tracing any general 

 set or current across the width of the gulf. 



The general plan adopted in tracing the movement of the water 

 was to take the density along a series of sections and at various 

 de])ths between the surface and 50 fathoms, or as far down as the depth 

 at which the coldest water had been found. These sections were laid 

 out to cover a belt of some 80 miles in width, extending from the 

 entrance to the St. Lawrence between Gaspé and Anticosti, southeast- 

 ward across the gulf to Cabot Strait, between Cape Breton and New- 

 foundland ; as this was the direction in which the movement of the water 

 might be supjjosed to take place. It was also found necessary to 

 examine the region between the west coast of Gape Breton and the 

 Magdalen Islands. The densities were determined by means of hydro- 

 meters of open range, specially designed for the purpose, and the 

 determination had to be made at the time, as it was a question of tracing 

 the water and ascertaining the limits of areas of less density without 

 any previous clue as to where these limits would probably be found. 



It was found as a general result that the water of less density lies on 

 the sQuthwestern side of the gulf, and the area it occupies is approxi- 

 mately limited by a line from Southwest Point Anticosti to St. Paul's 

 Island, C.B. It is, therefore, in the direction of this line that any slow 

 movenrent or set of a general character across the gulf area must take 

 place. 



The method of density sections was found an excellent one also, in 

 following the changes ni the course of a current, and its displacement 

 and disturbance under the influence of the wind. As the currents in the 



Proc. 1896. B. 



