PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 XVII 



With currents of this low speed, the surface current is much influ- 

 enced by the wind ; and it is thereibre the undercurrent at 20 and 30 

 fathoms which often shows a tidal fluctuation or a tendency to flow in 

 some dominant direction, which may be obscured by disturbance in the 

 surface current. It was therefore very necessary to make a careful 

 study of the undercurrent to arrive at the normal conditions in any 

 locality. 



The temjKM-ature of the water and its density were also taken exten- 

 sively; and these were found useful, especially in tracing the general 

 circulation. 



Very favourable opportunities occurred for ascertaining the effect of 

 the wind upon the surface current while anchored in the open, at sta- 

 tions which were occupied for a number of days together. A good 

 determination was found for the increase of the temperature of the water 

 with the progress of the season. Much useful information was obtained 

 from fishermen and others regarding the currents at other seasons, 

 especially as indicated by the drift of ice ; and the nature of the indica- 

 tions which ice affords, with reference to the surface and undercurrents 

 and the effect of the wind, were also carefully considered. The results 

 obtained will appear in the Annual Eejiort of the Department of Marine 

 and Fisheries for 1896. 



In the region examined, there are few instances of currents which 

 run steadily enough to be termed constant; but it is possible from con- 

 tinuous observation or long experience to arrive at a dominant direction 

 for each locality, or the direction in which the current runs more fre- 

 quently, and in which therefore the water makes on the whole. 



In considering the Grulf of St. Lawrence as a whole, it is the pi-in- 

 ciple of the balance of flow which is the most evident one. Wherever a 

 current of a constant character occurs, there is a corresponding return 

 current to make up for it. Thus, in Cabot Strait, the outflowing water 

 off Cape North is balanced by the inflow at Cape Eay ; the northeastward 

 current on the west coast of Newfoundland is balanced by the westward 

 direction of the movement along the North Shore ; and we have fairly 

 good indications of a return flow to compensate for the Gaspé Current. 

 It is this balance of flow which points to the nature and direction of the 

 circulation of the water in the gulf. If we begin to trace it from Cabot 

 Strait where the balance between the gulf and the ocean takes place, 

 there is an inflow off Caj^e Ray which appears to diffuse itself more or 

 less widely over the central part of the gulf, but it regains its strength 

 on the west coast of Newfoundland, and makes a deep bend into the 

 northeastern angle of the gulf, and returns westward along the North 

 Shore. On reaching Cape Whittle, it still makes westwai'd ; and whether 

 as an actual set, or by displacing water which comes more directly from 

 Cape Hay, it appears to work around the eastern end of Anticosti, and 



Proc. 1897. B. 



