336 PHYSIOGRAPHY 



them. The equatorial drift of the Atlantic Ocean is divided into 

 two parts as South America is approached, one part being turned 

 to the southwest, and the other to the northwest, along the border 

 of the continent. A part of the latter flows through the Caribbean 

 Sea, and into the Gulf of Mexico. From this gulf a distinct cur- 

 rent issues through the narrow passageway between Cuba and 

 Florida. This is the Gulf Stream. It is fed partly by the water 

 which enters the Gulf from the equatorial drift, and partly by the 

 water which enters the Gulf from the land. The current issuing 

 from the Gulf has a velocity of more than four miles per hour where 

 it is swiftest. 



North of the narrow passageway between Florida and Cuba, 

 the Gulf Stream becomes wider and deeper, and as more water 

 moves, the rate of movement becomes slower. In the open ocean 

 the rate is perhaps no more than 10 to 15 miles per day. As the 

 current becomes slow, its boundaries become less well denned, and 

 it is recognized by its temperature, its color, its life, etc., more 

 readily than by its motion. 



As it flows northward, the Gulf Stream turns to the eastward 

 (to the right). It crosses the Atlantic, approaching the coast of 

 Europe in a latitude farther north than that where it leaves the 

 coast of America. Here it divides and spreads out. Long before 

 Europe is reached, the current has ceased to be a definite stream, 

 and is rather a general wide-spread drift of water. 



That part of the equatorial drift which is turned southward 

 along the coast of South America follows the coast of that conti- 

 nent for a time, but soon turns to the left (Fig. 265) . 



The equatorial drifts of the Pacific follow similar courses. 

 The part which turns north is known as the Japan Current. The 

 Indian Ocean has a south equatorial drift only, and its course 

 corresponds to that of the southern part of the equatorial drifts 

 of the other oceans. All currents moving toward the poles from 

 the equatorial region are warm currents. 



The poleward movement of warm waters makes a return equa- 

 torward movement necessary. The cold waters moving toward 

 the equator are turned to the right in the northern hemisphere 

 and to the left in the southern. The result is to throw them to the 



