THE GUINEA CUKKENT. 333 



lat. 2° N. From 20° to 10° W. it has a rate of about 10 to 20 miles in the 

 24 hours, and seems to be occasionally reversed ; from 7*^ to 0° "W., its rate 

 has been observed to be as much as 44 miles, though this can hardly be 

 usual ; farther Eastward the rate varies from 13 to 24 miles. An eddy 

 current is indicated in the Bight of Benin. 



In March the Guinea Current can be traced from lat. 13° N., long. 28° W. 

 At tirst it appears as a weak current having a rate of 5 to 10 miles in the 

 24 hours; but near the African coast, and in about the region of 2° N. and 

 18° W., its velocity increases to 20, 30, and 40 miles, the strongest current 

 being marked on its Southern limit. 



In April it commences in about 6° N., 25° W., and rapidly widens till 

 it extends from 8° N. to 2° N. on the 20th meridian, with a rate of 12 to 

 23 miles. It maintains about the same rate to long. 8° W. Between 5° 

 and 0° W. its rate is from 26 to 36 miles ; farther Eastward it loses 

 strength, and either dies out in the vicinity of Fernando Po, or is deflected 

 Southward, and drawn in with the Equatorial Current. The Current has 

 been observed to run strongly to the Southward, in lat. 12° N., 28° W. 



In May it seems to be felt at times as far West as 35° W., about lat. 2° 

 to 5° N. In 30° W. it is farther North, and on the 20th meridian it lies 

 between lat. 3° and 10° N. Along this route its rate is from 13 to 33 miles. 

 As it nears the African coast, it is felt at times as a Northerly Current, 

 probably influenced by the wind. Here, too, its rate is from 12 to 13 miles. 

 In the Gulf of Guinea it is Easterly, the rates varying from 16 to 45 miles. 



In June the Guinea Current probably commences about lat. 6° N.,long. 

 30° W. x'hence it spreads Northward and Southward, so that when it 

 crosses the 20th meridian its width is from lat. 3° to 8° N. Its rate thus 

 far is from 15 to 20 miles. Between 20° and 25° W. the North African 

 Current is running strongly to the Southward between lat. 8° and 18° N. 

 The Southern portion of the Guinea Current finds its way, but with con- 

 siderable northing, into the Gulf of Guinea. Here its rate is strong, from 

 16 to 36 miles, and it appears to be confined within narrow limits of lati- 

 tude. A counter-current has been observed in the Bight of Biafra. Captain 

 Toynbee remarks : — " The Easterly Current on the coast of Africa has 

 become stronger since May. Perhaps this may be accounted for by the 

 fact that the N.E. Trade extends much farther North than in the winter, 

 drawing more water off Africa, whilst there are fewer Westerly gales in 

 the North to heap water against Africa, hence the deficiency must be made 

 up by an increased Easterly current near to the Equator. It will be seen 

 that it does increase in amount, and becomes more North-Easterly near 

 the coast of Africa as the summer advances." 



In July it is indicated about 6° N. and 42° W., if the observations here 

 are trustworthy. Observations are wanting to the Eastward till it crosses 

 the 35th meridian, between lat. 7° and 11° N. In long. 20° W. it extends 

 from 4° to 12° N., its rate being from 15 to 20 miles a day. A portion of 

 'ts waters is turned to the N.W. by the coast about lat. 10° N., and passes 

 to the Northward past Cape Verde, but the main current passes into the 

 Gulf of Guinea, attaining a rate of 28 miles. Between the meridians of 

 10° W. and 0° there are no observations of this Current, but it is shown 

 Eastward, between the coast and lat. 2° N., where its rate is from 32 to ii 



