356 CURRENTS, GULP1I-STREAM3, 



eastern quarter into the great Gulf of Mexico, cause there an acciu 

 mulation above the common level of the sea ; in consequence of 

 which, it is constantly running out by the channel where it finds 

 least resistance, that is, through the Gulf of Florida, with such 

 force as to continue a distinct stream to a very great distance. Since 

 all ships going from Europe to any of the southern provinces of 

 North America must cross this current, and are materially affected 

 by it in their course, every circumstance of its motion becomes an 

 object highly interesting to the seaman, as well as of great curiosity 

 to the philosopher. 



During a voyage to America in the spring of the year 1776', 

 Sir Charles used frequently to examine the heat of sea-water newly 

 drawn, in order to compare it with that of the air. The passage 

 was made far to the southward. In this situation, the greatest heat 

 of the water which he observed was such as raised the quicksilver 

 in Fahrenheit's thermometer to 77 J. This happened twice; the 

 first time on the 10th of April, in latitude 21 10' N. and longitude 

 by reckoning 52 W. ; ami the 2d time 3 days afterwards, in lati- 

 tude 22 1' and longitude 55 ; but in general the heat of the sea 

 near the tropic of Cancer about the middle of April was from 76* 

 to 77. 



The rendezvous appointed for the fleet being off Cape Fear, their 

 course, on approaching the American coast, became north west- 

 ward. On the 23d of April the heat of the sea was 74, the lati- 

 tude at noon 28* 7' N. Next day the heat was only J\, then in 

 latitude 29 12'; the heat of the water, therefore, was now lessen, 

 ing very fast in proportion to the change of latitude. The 25th 

 the latitude was 31* 3'; but though they had thus gone almost 2 

 farther to the northward, the heat of the sea was this day rather 

 increased, it being 72 in the morning, and 72' in the evening. 

 Next day, the 26th of April, at half after 8 in the morning, the 

 thermometer rose to 78; higher than he had ever observed it, even 

 within the tropic. As the difference was too great to be imputed to, 

 any accidental variation, Sir C. Blagden immediately conceived that 

 they must have come into the gulf-stream, the water of which still re. 

 tained great part of the heat that it had acquired in the torrid zone. 

 This idea was confirmed by the subsequent regular and quick dimi- 

 nution of the heat: the ship's run for a quarter of an hour had les- 



