350 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENTS. 



Islands and the Coast of Guayana, in the months of August, September, 

 and October, the Current veered to the Northward of N.W., and in other 

 months more Westerly, or even to the Southward of West, as in November 

 and December, 1834; but we learn, also, that the greatest velocity of 

 Current has been observed in August and September, when the Maranon 

 is at its lowest level, as well as in December and March, when this river 

 begins to increase, and attains its greatest height ; even on examining the 

 details, in order to discover any regularity in its force, we find an irregu- 

 larity reconcileable only with that of the wind; and, more generally, by 

 applying the theory of Trade Winds, and their influence upon the surface 

 water of the Ocean. 



After having once rebounded from the Brasilian Coast, the united 

 Equatorial and Ethiopic Currents are again compelled to retire Westward 

 by the influence of the S.E. Trade Wind (apparently, also, by the dispo- 

 sition of the waters in these regions to retire Westward) ; and, although 

 at passing the Maranon, which disembogues towards the N.E., the com- 

 bined Current may, in some degree, according to its variable form and 

 strength, derive an impulse to the Northward, yet it soon yields to the 

 force of the N.E. Trade Wind, and the South- Westerly Drift thereby pro- 

 duced, which sets toward the Caribbee Islands. 



In proportion to the force and extent of these winds, the general current 

 is pressed toward the shore of Guayana, as in December, 1835, and 

 November and December, 1834; or allowed to expand freely to the North, 

 as in August, September, and October ; even to the N.E., as in March, 

 1837, especially when preceded by long and violent indraughts, and followed 

 by calm weather. 



By the influence of the Maranon waters, the general Current is pre- 

 vented from sweeping the coast to the Westward of Cape North ; as the 

 stream of this great river, being unobstructed, seems to gather all its 

 strength, and force the Western boundary of that gigantic drift to an un- 

 certain distance from shore. In this manner we may account for the weak 

 Westerly Current, creeping along that part of the coast comprehended be- 

 tween the Maranon and Gulf of Paria, called the region of the tides, and 

 which is produced by the remaining effluxion of the Maranon, confined 

 between the Western border of the general Current and the muddy banks 

 of Guayana. It is incorrect to fix this border in 9 fathoms, as I have 

 found it in twice and thrice that depth ; but, on the other hand, I think 

 that if what has been supposed by Admiral Cosme de Churruca should 

 ever happen again — I mean the destroying of the Equatorial Current by 

 the action of the rivers — the Atlantic will be found of a whitish hue, so far 

 as these Currents shall reach, because their thick muddy waters never 

 mingle with those of the ocean until they have been subdued by, and are 

 at rest with them.* 



• The great force of the Maranon current was observed by Captain W. Code, iu the 

 ship Albion. He says :— On October 8th, 1857, at noon, lat. 5° 14' N., long. 50° 1' W., 

 current North, 18 miles. This current must be caused from the waters of the River 

 Maranon. The water is not salt, merely brackish taste, the sea boiling and making a 

 great noise, which I have found seldom to occur when the currents are strong. — 

 "Meteorological Report," 1872, page 30. 



