Rivers in the Sea 



stream does not exist alone. It becomes a 

 leading part of the North Atlantic circulation. 

 The whole surface of that ocean is slowly 

 turning round and round " whirling as if stirred 

 in the direction of the hands of a watch, "* and 

 the Gulf Stream occupies one side or more 

 of the vast maelstrom. In the centre of this 

 revolving mass of water lies a district where the 

 motion is slight, and at that centre floats an 

 enormous collection of drift and seaweed called 

 the Sargasso Sea. 



Suppose we pour some water in a large basin, 

 drop into it a handful of small leaves and 

 chips, and make the whole spin gently with 

 one hand. We shall then see how the chips 

 and leaves will collect at the centre, and will 

 float there, almost stationary. That is what 

 happens, on a large scale, in the North Atlantic 

 Ocean. 



Other Oceans also have this steady circular 

 movement, not of the whole body of water, 

 but of the surface-water, down to a greater 

 or less depth precisely how deep one cannot 

 say ; it lessens gradually with increasing depth. 

 The same is found also in the South Atlantic, 



* Dr. H. R. Mill. 

 57 



