CHAP, VIII.] THE GULF-STREAM. 389 
the axis of the Gulf-stream, and is about 170 miles 
wide. This is followed by a second minimum of 
25°5 C., and this by a third maximum, when the 
bands become indistinct. It is singular that the 
minimum bands correspond with valley-like depres- 
sions in the bottom, which follow in succession the 
outline of the coast and lodge deep southward exten- 
sions of the polar indraught. 
The last section of the Gulf-stream surveyed by 
the American Hydrographers extends in a south- 
easterly direction from Cape Cod, lat. 41° N., and 
traces the Gulf-stream, still broken up by its bands 
of unequal temperature, spreading directiy eastward 
across the Atlantic; its velocity has, however, now 
become ineconsiderable, and its limits are best traced 
by the thermometer. | 
The course of the Gulf-stream beyond this point 
has given rise to much discussion. I again quote 
Professor Buff for what may be regarded as the 
view most generally received among Physical Geo- 
graphers :— 
*‘ A great part of the warm water is carried partly 
by its own motion, but chiefly by the prevailing west 
and north-west winds, towards the coast of Europe 
and even beyond Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla; and 
thus a part of the heat of the south reaches far into 
the Arctic Ocean. Hence, on the north coast of the 
old Continent, we always find driftwood from the 
southern regions, and on this side the Arctic Ocean 
remains free from ice during a great part of the year, 
even as far up as 80° north latitude; while on the 
opposite coast (of Greenland) the ice is not quite 
thawed even in summer.” The two forces invoked 
