172 



FOUNDERS OF OCEANOGRAPHY 



The Gulf Stream, which has its origin in these great 

 equatorial currents, may be taken for more detailed descrip- 

 tion, as it is certainly the most celebrated and best known 

 of all oceanic currents. The trade-winds blowing across the 

 North Atlantic from the west coast of Africa carry the 

 North Equatorial cmrent from about Cape Verde towards 



Fia. 9. — Simplified Map of Currents of the North Atlantic. — A.D. 

 Atlantic Drift, C.C. Counter Equatorial Current, G.S. Gulf Stream, L.C. 

 Labrador Current, N.E.C. North Equatorial Current, S.E.C. South 

 Equatorial Current, S.S. Sargasso Sea. 



the West Indies and the Caribbean Sea, where it is reinforced 

 by a branch from the South Equatorial current. This 

 equatorial water, heated by the tropical sun and rendered 

 Salter by evaporation, becomes heaped up against the Central 

 American coast. The levels of the Caribbean Sea and the 

 Gulf of Mexico are thus raised, and this hot, salt water 



