1397] WARM UNDERCURRENT IN ARCTIC OCEAN 49 
This warm undercurrent, after passing Hakluyt’s Headland, 
goes to the N.-E., and some of it may come to the surface in the 
shallow seas on the western shores of lands lying in that direction. 
This would account for the fact that Payer found open water and 
a warmer climate to the north. 
Dr Carpenter, in a paper read at the Royal Institution of Great 
Britain on March 20, 1874, refers to his theory as “A general 
oceanic circulation sustained by a difference of temperature alone.” 
In a paper read before the Royal Geographical Society, June 1, 
1874, he also states his theory in the same terms. It is true that 
he afterwards admits that difference of salinity will produce a 
circulation, but then his theory simply becomes Maury’s theory. 
Independent of all theory the heaviest water will go to the 
bottom ; therefore, if there is an oceanic circulation, whatever may 
be its cause, a warm stream of heavy salt water will flow beneath 
a cold stream of lighter brackish or fresh water. 
Down the east coast of Greenland there is an Arctic current * 
about 200 miles broad, bearing on its surface a mighty floating 
glacier, which extends to Cape Farewell, a distance of 1400 miles. 
The rate of this current is variously estimated from 5 to 15 miles 
a day.t 
How is the water and the salt so carried out of the Polar Basin 
replaced? Must it not be by an undercurrent of greater specific 
gravity running into the Polar Basin ? B. LeicH SMIru. 
* See Scoresby’s ‘‘ Arctic Regions,” Drift of the Hansa. 
+ I am anxious to establish the existence of this current, as two great authorities 
have lately doubted it. I therefore append the following note, dated Feb. 16, 1897, 
from Mr R. Kinnes, manager of several whalers cruising during the summer season 
along the east coast of Greenland :—‘‘ The drift of the ice down the east coast of Green- 
land varies from 10 to 12 miles per day, and I think this may be taken as a fair average. 
If the wind is N.-E. it goes much faster, but with a S.-W. wind it travels eastwards. 
The pack may vary from 150 to 200 miles in breadth, according to the season. The 
current travels a little faster than the ice, and to the southward, near Cape Dan, it 
becomes stronger.” I may also add that in 1874 Captain David Gray was up the east 
coast on the Eclipse, and he sent me the following extract from his log :—‘‘ July 24. 
Found by to-day’s observations that we have driven 43 miles S. by W. 4 W. true in the 
past three days, and that in the face of fresh winds from S.-W.” —B.L. S., May 1897. 
