Cu.vi'. XL] OCEAN CURRENTS. 139 



traced from the point x, where the Gulf Stream meets 

 the mid-oceriD stream, to the Antilles ; but this I 

 have suggested is in consequence of the intrusion of 

 the under- current, which deranges the circulation of 

 the surface currents in that part of the ocean. 



I do not find any recorded observation to indicate 

 that the current e, at any season of the year, takes 

 a southward course passing east of the Bermudas ; 

 and also, if it ever take such a course, a current 

 running north-westwards midway between the 

 Bahamas and the Bermudas must almost neces- 

 sarily be concomitant with it ; and for this I find no 

 authority either. 



Let us now briefly recapitulate what, according to 

 the foregoing investigation, appears to be indicated, 

 alike by theory and observation, to be the general 

 circulation within the equatorial district of the North 

 Atlantic Ocean. 



From the equator, in mid -ocean, a stream runs 

 oft north-westwards into the North Atlantic. The 

 projecting coast of Africa causes the stream which 

 encircles the district, returning to the equator on 

 the east side of the ocean, to press down upon the 

 north-westward stream, which latter forms a barrier 

 preventing the southward stream from falling west- 

 wards. The north-westward stream, as it flows 

 through the ocean, clears a way through the Sargasso 

 Sea, thrusting the weeds ofl' to both sides of its course. 

 The current o r, diverging north-westwards from the 



