PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 599 



Mr. Haskell stated that the mode of producing that cotton is 

 this. The cannon is filled with flax and water, under a consid- 

 erable pressure, so that the moment the pressure is removed the 

 water flashes into steam, completely separating the fibers of the 

 flax from each other, as the whole contents are discharged into 

 the atmosphere. A second operation had been proposed, but 

 seemed unnecessary. 



The same subject was continued for the next meeting. 



On motion, the association adjourned. 



American Institute, Polytechnic Association, ) 

 February 28, 1861. \ 



Professor Mason in the chair. 



origin of the gulf stream. 

 Mr. C. W. Denison, as the result of eight years investigation, 

 submitted the following propositions : 



1. The Gulf Stream is of subterranean origin. 



2. Its progress, in a certain direction and rate, is caused by 

 the shape and revolutions of this planet. 



3. It is heated by interior volcanic fires, supplied from the 

 igneous portions of the globe. 



4. The Gulf Stream is fed from beneath by a constant flow of 

 waters. Some of these are the Mediterranean and other adjacent 

 seas. 



5. The color, heat, current, motion, animalcule, sedges, taste, 

 odor and all other peculiarities of the Gulf Stream, prove it to 

 be subterranean in its origin and progress. 



6. The trade winds and the formation of tfie shore of the Gulf 

 of Mexico, have nothing to do with the origin, characteristics 

 and progress of the Gulf Stream. 



The color of the Gulf Stream, he said, is deep blue. That 

 this is not caused by its saltness is evident, first, because salt 

 would not make it blue; and, second, because it is no more salt 

 than the adjacent waters which are not blue. The color is caused 

 by the sulphate of copper which the water contains in solution. 

 The water enters the Mediterranean sea from the ocean at the 

 rate of three miles an hour, and this is exactly the rate of the 

 Gulf Stream, indicating a connection between the two. His 

 explanation of the phenomenon is, that the water of the Medi- 

 terranean sinks into a vast chasm in the earth at Scylla and 



