Chap. IT.] INERTION. 45 



recoiling of branch streams upon the parent streams, 

 through which they derive the force wliich keeps 

 them in motion ; and each of the branch streams 

 must therefore, as far as the action of the horizontal 

 force of circulation is concerned, be gradually re- 

 drawn into the course of its parent stream through 

 a series of rebounds against it. 



From the arguments contained in this chapter, it 

 appears that, as far as the currents resulting from 

 axial rotation are concerned, the ocean is divided 

 into two divisions : the one division consistinof of 

 currents which are kept in motion by force created 

 in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean ; the 

 other, of currents which are kept in motion by force 

 created in the equatorial regions of the Pacific and 

 Indian Oceans. And these divisions being analogous 

 to each other — each being subdivided into equatorial 

 and polar districts analogous to each other — form 

 together the ten principal districts shown in the 

 chart on Plate 11. : namely — 



Two North Equatorial, 



Two South Equatorial, 



Two Arctic, and 



Four Antarctic districts. 



.This subdivision of the Antarctic districts de- 

 pends, as before stated, on the existence of an Ant- 

 arctic Continent about the south pole. And I have 

 described the action of vis-inerti£e in those regions 

 under this supposition, because the information gained 



