32 INFLUENCE UPON CLIMATE. 



the waters of the deep. Yea, He calleth for its waters, and 

 poureth them out uu the face of the earth." 



Investigation as to the causes of the severe storms raging 

 so frequently in certain portions of the Atlantic, and which 

 have proved so disastrous to navigation, led to the conclusion 

 that they were caused by the irregularity between the tem- 

 perature of the Gulf Stream and neighboring regions, both 

 in the air and water. " To use a sailor's expression, the 

 Gulf Stream is the great * weather breeder ' of the North 

 Atlantic." It is a " storm fiend " that out-tops the " stormy 

 capes," and out-vies the furious storms of the North Pacific 

 and China Seas. 



Storms from the right and left of the Gulf Stream break in 

 upon it; and, turning about, rush along with it, leaving be- 

 hind a steamy mist, caused by the cold water and warm air 

 coming in contact, to mark its course. 



Formerly the Gulf Stream exercised a greater influence 

 npon commerce than it does at the present day. Up to the 

 last century, the navigator guessed as much as he calculated 

 the place of his ship. 



For three centuries navigators had been crossing and re- 

 crossing this Gulf Stream daily, without using it as a means 

 of giving them their longitude, or warning them of their ap- 

 proach to this continent. 



Before the warmth of the Gulf Stream was known, a voy- 

 age from Europe in winter to portions of our own coast was 

 exceedingly perilous. Gales and snow storms would be met 

 which would set at naught the seaman's skill. His vessel be- 

 comes incrusted with ice and her crew benumbed and helpless. 

 She remains obedient only to her helm, which almost in- 

 stinctively guides her to the Gulf Stream. She crosses its 

 magic boundary and is embraced by its healing presence. 

 The ice vanishes from her garments ; the weary sailor laves 

 in its healing properties, being invigorated by its genial 

 warmth. He is now ready to make another effort to enter 



