IS THE GULF STREAM A MYTH? 129 



labors. He spoke with special reference to tlie transit 

 of 1882, for the observation of which there is (I have 

 lately shown) small occasion to employ arctic voyagers. 

 It is just possible that for the transit of 18Y4 trained 

 explorers belonging to the old school of arctic travel 

 may still be found. But if not, no time should be lost 

 in supplying the deficiency. I have shown within the 

 last few months that journeys to the antarctic regions 

 will be required for this transit, and not for the later 

 transit (as had been supposed). The Astronomer- 

 Hoy al has expressed his desire that the discovery may 

 be rendered available by suitable expeditions. " Every 

 series of observations," he remarks, " which can really 

 be brought to bear upon this important determination 

 will be valuable." Therefore, for this reason alone, 

 and even if the reputation of England in the matter of 

 arctic travel were altogether worthless, it would be 

 well that efforts should quickly be made to prepare 

 crews and commanders for the work of 1874, by 

 " sending them to school," as Commander Davis ex- 

 pressed it, " in the arctic seas." 



(From St. Paul's, June, 1869.) 



IS THE GULF STREAM A MYTH? 



THE Gulf Stream has recently attracted a large 

 share of the attention of our men of science. The 

 abnormal character of the weather which we experi- 



