430 OBSEEVATIONS ON THE CURRENTS. 



These last facts are conclusive as to this movement of warmer water 

 not being the Gulf Stream. By what possible reasoning can it be inferred 

 that this can be the Gulf Stream, as it is nearly five times as deep, and 

 hundreds of miles broader than that stream is at its origin; and, as it has 

 been before shown, it receives no " tributaries." We, therefore, repeat 

 the assertion that this great Ocean current has a distinct origin, and 

 should have a special designation. 



We cannot pursue the question farther : it must be sought for in the 

 numerous works bearing more especially on this subject, many of which 

 have been referred to. 



A subsequent Chapter, on the Depth, Temperature, &c., of the Ocean, 

 may be referred to in connection with the surface and deep-sea tempera- 

 tures of this great current. 



In concluding this brief account of the most remarkable feature in 

 Ocean physics, we can only express the hope that the combined observa- 

 tions of the recent investigations will place this science of Rlieology, as ife 

 may be termed, on as firm a basis as its cognate branches. 



10.— THE ARCTIC OR LABRADOR CURRENT. 



(424.) The last section treated of the warmer Tropical waters which 

 passed into the Northern regions, carrying with them their ameliorating 

 influence on the Arctic climate. The present deals with the same waters 

 as they emerge at a minimum temperature from these frozen regions, 

 and brin» their ice and cold into the grand system of Ocean circulation 

 and compensation. 



(425. j Iceland, &c. — In 1879, Lieutenant C. F. Wandel, of the Danish 

 Royal Navy, pubUshed a pamphlet* dealing with his experiences during 

 three years steam navigation around the coasts of Iceland, from which 

 the following remarks are taken. 



Near the coasts of Iceland the Currents are influenced by tha tidal 

 streams, which revolve round the island, the flood moving with the sun 

 and the ebb against it, though the currents somewhat overcome the 

 strent^th of the ebb, and the island is thus encircled by a constant current 

 running with the sun. The investigations recently made by the oflScers of 

 the Danish steamer Fylla, have added much to our knowledge of these 

 seas. It is found that in the offing a constant comparatively warm 

 current runs Westward and Southward respectively ofl' the North and 

 West coasts of Iceland, being bounded by the cold Polar Current which 

 runs down the East coasts of Greenland and Iceland ; the latter branch 

 appears to continue along the South coast, and loses itself in Faxe Bay. 

 At 74 miles due North of North Cape the cold current was found to reach 

 from the surface to the bottom. 



(426.) In Denmark Sound, between Iceland and Greenland, currents 

 of distinctly different natures are found. The warm Ir»ii?iger Ciirrent 

 washes the Western and Northern shores of Iceland, but the cold Polar 



• " Bemiirkninger til Beseiligen a£ Islands Kyster;" Copenhagen, 1879. See also 

 Thoroddsea's "Den Gronliindska Drifisen vid Island." 



