392 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CUREENTS 



Current confining it on the S.W., the main part of the stream is forced 

 into the Straits of Florida, turning to the N.E. by E. in its passage be- 

 tween the Florida Reefs and Cuba at a mean rate of 39 miles. About 

 lat. 25° N. the straits between Florida and the Bahama Banks become 

 contracted, part being known as the Narrows. Here the set becomes 

 almost due North, and its rate greater, averaging 48 miles. This rate and 

 set is maintained to lat. 30° N. Thence to lat. 32° or 33° N., the direction 

 of the set is N.E. by N., while the rate has decreased to 40 miles. Now 

 the set changes to N.E., and is maintained to lat. 38° N., long. 70° W., 

 the mean rate of the main stream being from 48 to 43 miles. The Stream 

 is strongest towards the land side, being pressed upon by the Arctic 

 Current, which probably causes the very high velocities sometimes ex- 

 perienced about lat. 36° to 38° N., long. 74° to 70° W. 



On the right side the Stream is free to spread out, being only resisted 

 by a feeble Westerly drift. Here accordingly we find the current weaker, 

 even down to 10 to 20 miles a day. It must be remarked, however, that 

 the observations made on the right edge of the Stream must frequently be 

 in part due to the influence of the Westerly, or rather South-Westerly, 

 drift, upon the ship's run in 24 hours, the final result depending on the 

 preponderance of one or the other current during the interval. Whenever 

 this has been suspected the observations have been separated from those 

 believed to have been made entirely in the Gulf Stream, and averaged by 

 themselves. In long. 70° W. the width of the Stream averages about 120 

 miles, extending from lat. 36° to 38° N. Thence its set becomes E.N.E., 

 and its main portion seems to pass North of lat. 40° N., near long. 60' W. 

 Between 70° and 60° W. the rate is from 37 to 27 miles per day. The 

 Southern edge of the Stream can be traced to long. 45° W., about lat. 

 38° N., but the rate is feeble and the set variable. 



In January the Gulf Stream may be traced from about long. 87° W. 

 between lat. 25° and 30° N. Thence it flows to the S.E. and East between 

 the Florida Reefs and Cuba, and is forced to the North wax'd by the Florida 

 Channel, where ita rate is 39 miles. Beyond this, observations are 

 deficient, but they indicate the Stream as far as 37° N., 70° W. 



In February it can be traced from the 85th meridian, between lat. 23'' 

 and 27° N., through the Gulf of Florida, Northward to lat. 32° N.; thence 

 North-Eastward to lat. 37° N., in long. 72° W. ; data are wanting beyond 

 this. Its rate. North of Cuba, is 33 miles; through the Narrows, 53 miles; 

 thence to lat. 32° N., 48 miles; beyond this, observations vary from 70 to 

 21 miles per day. A counter-current to the South- Westward is indicated 

 from 35° to 30° N., which appears to become deflected to the E.S.E. by 

 the Bahamas, but its force is inconsiderable, and it is probably variable in 

 direction as well as in rate. 



In March it seems to commence about lat. 28" N., long. 90° W., whence 

 it flows S.E., rapidly increasing in velocity, passing around Florida at the 

 mean rate of 40 miles, which it maintains up to 30° N. Farther North- 

 ward observations are not so numerous, and while they indicate a current 

 to the N.E., and then E.N.E., up to lat. 37° N., long. 62° W., they assign 

 «o it extraordinary diflferences of rate. One observer vouches for a rate 

 of 106 miles in 24 hours, about mean position 37° N., 72° W. From 



