RENNELL'S CUREENT. 301 



Current, and then strongly to the W.N.W. along the Guayana and Colom- 

 bian coasts, part joining the N.E. Trade Wind Current Northward of 

 Tobago. 



Sixth. — The Currents of the Colombian or Caribbean Sea, a continuation 

 of the Great Equatorial Streams into the Mexican Sea, from the South- 

 Eastward and Eastward. 



Seventh. — The Gulf Stream, an outset from the Mexican Sea, setting 

 thence to the North-Eastward, through the Strait of Florida, and thence 

 Eastward toward the Newfoundland Banks, &c. 



Eighth. — The North-East Drift, which passes over the Eastern side of 

 the Atlantic, from the area East and South of the Newfoundland Banks 

 towards ajad past the N.W. Coast of Europe and into the Arctic Basin. 



Ninth. — The Arctic or Labrador Current, passing Southwards from 

 Davis Strait down the coast of Labrador, round Newfoundland, and 

 thence South-Westward past Nova Scotia and the coast of the United 

 States inside the Gulf Stream. 



In explaining this subject, we shall endeavour, in the first place, to 

 establish the facts which prove the existence of these Currents, and then 

 attempt to deduce the causes, according to the given description. 



(253.) Masters of vessels are sometimes disappointed in not finding the 

 expected set and velocity of the normal Currents. At times the set may 

 be directly opposite to that looked for, or no Current at all may be found, 

 even in the area traversed by the Gulf Stream ; but these irregularities 

 are usually of short duration, being due to abnormal meteorological con- 

 ditions and other causes. 



-RENNELL'S CURRENT. 



(254.) In the 5ay o/ Biscay, the prevalence of N-.W., West, and S.W. 

 winds causes a heavy swell and considerable current, needing due con- 

 sideration. The waters of this gulf have a vast gyratory movement, irre- 

 gular in outline, and variable in velocity, on account of the considerable 

 effect of different winds. The S.E. current, setting on to the N.W. point 

 of the Spanish peninsula, is divided there into two branches, one setting 

 South along the Portuguese coast, and then turning to the Eastward about 

 Cape St. Vincent ; the other setting East along the North coast of Spain, 

 and North along the West coast of France, where it is 15 or 20 miles 

 across, and is felt at 30 or 40 miles off shore : it becomes wider as it pro- 

 ceeds Northward, and is probably joined at times by the streams from the 

 rivers of France. On the parallel of about 48° 20' N. it is about 80 miles 

 across, and the set, following the coast line, is nearly W.N.W. , passing 15 

 or 20 miles from Ushant and across the entrance to the English Channel, 

 where it is called Rennell's Current. The commotion of the waters at the 

 time of the flood tide in the Channel, all along the line of separation, has 



