474 THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



in water the process is slow, and the amount 

 accomplished in a given time is small. But, 

 listening to the unceasing roar of wave upon 

 wave ; remembering that night and day this 

 continual agitation is maintained ; can it be 

 said that, with such means, and so continued, 

 a great result is not both attained and per- 

 petuated? And when we consider the large 

 number of marine' creatures which abound, 

 especially near our shores, it does not seem 

 improbable that this is one of the means by 

 which the purity of the waters is sustained. 

 The effect of storms at sea, particularly when 

 cross seas are produced, is no doubt similar, 

 and the same object may thus be accomplished. 

 The last point remaining for consideration, 

 in the chemistry of the movements of the 

 waters, is that of currents, and their chemical 

 phenomena. One great function fulfilled by 

 these ocean streams is the equalization of the 

 temperature of the ocean, and the communica- 

 tion of their temperature to the shores along 

 which they roll. The waters of the great gulf- 

 stream carry heat with them along the banks 

 of Newfoundland, as high into the northern 

 region as to Spitzbergen, where they are sup- 

 posed to set free great icebergs, by melting 

 their bases ; and, as it pours down the western 

 coast of Europe, it communicates the remains 



