Chap. XVTT.] THE WINDS AND EVAPORATION. 180 



what are the actual winds which blow, and what 

 the actual currents of the ocean — it appears to me 

 incomprehensible how anyone who studies these 

 systems of aerial and oceanic circulation can reconcile 

 them as cause and effect. It appears to me surpris- 

 ing, how, considering the enormous volume and 

 weight of water borne along m the oceanic currents, 

 anyone can help doubting the power of the com- 

 paratively light atmosphere to keep such a mass in 

 motion, even if it were shown that the course of the 

 oceanic currents corresponded with that which would 

 naturally result from the action of the winds which 

 exist. But, when it is found that the winds tend to 

 a great extent to neutralise each other, and that, 

 even in the region of the Trade Winds, where the 

 ■ power of the winds is greatest, ocean- currents, even 

 on the surface of the ocean, run across and against 

 those winds, whilst in the lower strata immense 

 under-currents run their course regardless of the 

 winds which blow above ; it then seems surprising 

 how anyone can consider that the position and 

 direction of the ocean currents which exist are in 

 accordance with the current- creating action of the 

 winds, even if it be assumed that the latter are suffi- 

 ciently powerful to control the vast volume of water 

 which is carried along in those currents. 



Major Rennell himself appears to have had less 

 confidence in the power of the winds to cause the 

 existing circulation of the ocean than some who 



