IS THE GULF STREAM A MYTH? 137 



Stream, as is sliown by the icebergs, wliicli are carried 

 in a direction tending across its course." There can 

 be no doubt, in fact, that this last circumstance indi- 

 cates the manner in which the main contest between 

 the two currents is settled. A portion of the arctic 

 current finds its way between the Gulf Stream and 

 the continent of America ; and this portion, though 

 narrow, has a very remarkable effect in increasing the 

 coldness of the American winters. But the main part, 

 heavier, by reason of its coldness, than the surround- 

 ing water, sinks beneath the surface. And the well- 

 known fact mentioned by Maury, that icebergs have 

 been seen stemming the Gulf Stream, suffices to show 

 how comparatively shallow that current is at this dis- 

 tance from its source, and thus aids to remove a diffi- 

 culty which we have already had occasion to deal with. 

 Doubtless the cooling influence of the arctic cur- 

 rents is appreciable; but it would be a mistake to 

 suppose that this influence can suffice to deprive the 

 Gulf current of its distinctive warmth. If all the 

 effect of the cold current were operative on the Gulf 

 Stream alone, we might suppose that, despite the 

 enormous quantity of comparatively warm water which 

 is continually being carried northward, the current 

 would be reduced to the temperature of the surround- 

 ing water. But this is not so. The arctic current 

 not only cools the Gulf current, but the surrounding 

 water also possibly to a greater extent, for it is com- 



