CURRENTS IN THE GULF OF sit LAWRENCE—FOX. 307 
pheric temperature have become more frequent. The cold is less 
severe in winter, and the winds more variable and of shorter 
duration in summer, which no doubt has some influence upon the 
currents there. Many of the prominent land marks, laid down 
in the charts and sailing directions now in use; have also been 
washed away by the action of the sea, or submerged, which is mis- 
leading to the navigator. 
This great commercial highway is traversed annually by a large 
fleet of magnificent steam and sailing ships, laden with costly 
merchandize and thousands of vaiuable lives, and the heavy 
losses annually incurred through the ignorance of navigators, of 
the force and direction of the currents crossing their track (which 
they assert are not laid down in their charts or sailing directions), 
shews the importance and necessity of a scientific survey being 
made without delay, to obtain by observation the information 
absolutely necessary for the safe navigation of the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence. This should be undertaken by the government, as 
the loss of every ship is a national loss, and falls upon the com- 
munity. 
