Mr. Redfield’s Reply to Dr. He Tare 
as many vortices in its course as the aerial currents derived from 
the same source ;” and he adds, “ there are few vortices or whirl- 
pools in the ocean,” for reasons which he bas chosen to assign. 
[14—16. | 
Now the alleging that aqueous currents have an equal tendency, 
with aerial ones, to run into “vortices,” belongs to Dr. H., not 
tome. In the ocean, we can but partially observe the upper sur- 
face of superficial currents, moving apparently unobstructed on 
the more quiescent waters beneath, and with the relative equality 
of motion in the parts generally maintained. I see not how the 
_ unimpeded movements of this denser and nearly non-elastie fluid 
are to produce vortices equal in number or magnitude to those 
which occur in the inferior layers of an elastic aerial current, 
moving on or near the surface of the earth, over obstructions and 
inequalities, and with other disturbing conditions almost innume- 
rable. Of Dr. Hare’s views of aqueous vortices it is unnecessary 
to speak, but, there are mariners, if I remember their statements 
aright, who can give him an account of the frequency of ocean 
or Gulf Stream vortices, somewhat different from that which he 
advances. Whenever a stream or current of water of moderate 
depth moves over an unequal bottom, there is found no lack of 
Vortices, of various forms and dimensions, some of which exhibit 
both upward and downward movements, often of considerable 
Velocity. 
Dr. H. doubts if a whirlpool ever takes place without a cen- 
tripetal force resulting from a vacuity. Isee not how this doubt 
ean militate against my views of vortical action; but I have 
myself seen many hundreds of such whirlpools or vortices, and 
-have occasionally watched their developments with much in- 
After commenting on certain arbitrary conditions “ of opposing 
or unequal forces,” Dr. Hare desires to be informed how “une- 
qual and opposing forces” are generated in the atmosphere ; pro- 
ducing sometimes whirlwinds of unmeasured violence. [17-18.] 
It may be readily seen, that aerial currents of unequal temperature 
and velocity, superimposed one upon another, and all moving over 
@ surface of unequal character and with frequent elevations, and 
Subject also to the influence of adjacent currents, must often move 
Smapeally, and in unconformable directions ; thus unavoidably 
, to some extent, into vortices, eddies or circuits, of various 
Vol. xx11, No. 2.—Jan.—March, 1842. ¢ 
