

24 THE POWER OF RUNNING WATER. 



majestic flow of waters. Its waters, as far out from the Gulf 

 as the Carolina coast, are of an indigo blue; they are so 

 distinctly marked that their line of junction with the common 

 sea water may be traced by the eye so sharp is the line 

 that often half the vessel may be floating in gulf stream 

 water, while the other is in common water." * 



Then, to give an idea of the mighty power that 

 impels this great current for thousands of miles across 

 the stormy sea, he says 



" If we search for a propelling power we must admit the 

 existence of a force capable of putting in motion, and of 

 driving over a plain at the rate of four miles an hour, all 

 the waters brought down by three thousand such streams as 

 the Mississippi river." f 



Of the tremendous power of running water we have 

 daily proofs before our eyes in almost every consider- 

 able section of country. Everywhere we see how it 

 has hollowed out for itself broad channels, and even 

 in places cut deeply into the surface of the stony 

 rock. What therefore must not the grinding power 

 of these gigantic currents be? They would, we might 

 almost suppose, soon cut the earth itself in twain. 

 But Nature here, as everywhere, is equal to the occa- 

 sion ; for far down in the depths of the sea, a still (or 

 almost still) cushion of cold water rests upon the ocean 

 floor, which relieves the earth from abrasion and so 

 the mighty river flows on for ever, without injury to 

 its structure, bearing on its bosom countless myriads 

 of the lower forms of life, and shoals of fishes, to 

 furnish food for the inhabitants of the deep frequent- 

 ing the coasts of far distant countries. 



* The Physical Geography of the Sea, by Lieutenant Matthew 

 Fontaine Maury, U.S.N., i6th edit., 1877, p. T. 

 \ Ibid., p. 7, Section 17. 



