Miscellanies. 18] 
we experienced strong currents to the west, in conformity with Hum- 
bolt’s theory of an indraft into the Caribbean Sea, occasioned by an 
equatorial current.” r. R. gives a table of comparison between 
the ship’s place by observation and that obtained by the log, with the 
drifts and force of the current for twenty-four hours. 
9. Sargasso Weeds.—In the North Atlantic Ocean, coming from the 
South you fall in about the tropic, with the Sargasso weeds, collec- 
ted in narrow lines extending in the direction in which the trade wind 
blows, that is E. N. E. and W.S. W., and the eye cannot see the end 
on either side of the vessel. These lines run constantly par- 
allel to each other, and the nearer you come to the middle of the 
Sargasso sea, the thicker it is strewed with weeds, and the closer the 
lines approach to one another, being in some places but fifteen feet 
er. Home bound ships have a better opportunity of observing 
these lines, as they cross nearly at right anglés, and can trace their . 
Continuation more conveniently on both sides, observing one line after 
another in rapid succession. 
These weeds occupy the zone from about 20° to 35° north latitude,’ 
which may, however, differ according to the longitude in which you 
cross it. Towards the zone’s northern extremes, the weeds are less 
-Tegularly formed in lines, which may arise from their being Jess me- | 
thodically acted upon by the trade winds that seem to occasion their 
order, They have been termed gulf weeds by sailors, who believed 
them to be driven out of the gulf by the Florida stream; noris this 
opinion entirely refuted by the experience that they are rarely met 
With in the gulf. For’ the weed swimming on the surface of the At- 
lantic is withered, decayed, and incrutsed with salt, which proves the 
time it has been exposed to the sun, and is of a brownish yellow color, 
Whilst you rarely meet with a green bunch; that, being heavier, on 
acount of its higher state of vegetation, swims several feet below 
the surface. It is true that not with certainty can any roots, thicker 
branches, or stems be perceived, wherewith they might have adhered 
9 the rocks or the ground: nevertheless, as these weeds abound with 
‘nimals that do not live upon the surface, but inhabit the bottom of 
_ Sed such as crabs, shrimps, barnacles, conchilias of all descrip~ 
tons, and Serpents, I have no doubts that they originated in a shallow 
in of water, out of which they were swept by the force of a cur- 
“enh along the bottom, until the heavier vegetable fluid being exhaust- 
‘ they rose to the surface. Moreover they are never seen near the 
European or African coasts, but most plentifully found about the en- 
“nee of the gulf,— Phil. Mag. and Ann. Decem. 1830- 
