78 MARION AND GENERAL GREENE EXPEDITIONS 



across the Davis Strait Ridge than entered there. A net south rate 

 of salt transport of 52.0 million kilograms per second was obtained 

 based on the observations of the M'lchaeJ Sars as contained in section 

 1 (fig. 40). Assuming, therefore, a salt balance is being maintained 

 in BaiRn Bay, the above deficit indicated through Davis Strait must 

 be compensated by an excess through Lancaster Sound, Jones Sound, 

 and Smith Sound. 



It appears from the foregoing that the branch of the West Green- 

 land Current through Davis Strait is subject to considerable varia- 

 tion in temperature. Similar variations in temperature at mid- 

 depths in the West Greenland Current farther south (p. 58) suggest 

 they are related. The fact that the above differences are greatest at 

 depths of 400 and 500 meters eliminates the wind and other surface 

 elements as directly involved factors. Even the variations in the 

 volume of the West Greenland Current noted ai'ound Cape Farewell 

 are often probably reflected in excesses or deficits of heat imported 

 to Baffin Bay. The abnormal scarcity of ice in Baffin Bay reported 

 by Bartlett (1936) corresponds well with the excess in the rate of 

 heat supply (p. 63) past Cape Farewell March to August 1935. 



It should be added in conclusion that the above remarks apply 

 to the behavior and character of the currents in summer. But it 

 seems logical that the rate of exchanges and the circulation through 

 Davis Strait might be less active in w^inter when most of the sea 

 in this region is ice covered. Insofar as the West Greenland Cur- 

 rent is concerned, however, evidence has been presented (p. 63) 

 which refutes any apparent semblance of seasonal character. What 

 actually happens in the 8 months outside of summer in the region 

 of Davis Strait is wholly unknown. 



