THE ATMOSPHERIC HAZE OF 1883 AND 1884. 447 



It is an evident condition that these ocean currents are directed in their 

 course by the coast barriers with which they are brought in contact. If then, 

 these barriers are by any means removed or changed, there will result a corres- 

 ponding change in the direction of the currents. 



We have then this condition, with the waters of the Pacific already at a con- 

 siderable elevation above those of the Atlantic, a current from the west eastward 

 seems inevitable, and with the added force which will be thrown in by the cur- 

 rents from the Pacific, the canal must be rapidly worn away until it is probable a 

 considerable portion of the Isthmus will have been destroyed, and the great 

 Pacific current, the force of which is now expended upon the western shores of 

 the Isthmus, will find its way through into the Gulf and be joined to the Gulf 

 Stream. 



Should this be the result we can only expect that the great thermal currents 

 from the Pacific, which have heretofore so greatly modified the climate of our 

 Pacific Coast will undergo a change in their directions and the great body of 

 heated waters finding its way through the Isthmus will pass northward with the 

 Gulf Stream along our Atlantic Coast until it is directed upon the coast of New- 

 foundland and crossing the Atlantic it passes the shores of Great Britain and 

 Iceland, expending itself and upon the frigid shores of northwestern Europe, will 

 carry with it an elevation of temperature which will modify to a great extent the 

 climate of those. regions. 



It is a well known fact that an extended portion of the Arctic world has 

 been at some time habitable and inhabited. This is shown by the finding so fre- 

 quently the remains of tropical plants and animals in the far north. It is equally 

 known that great convulsions of nature have taken place whereby continents and 

 oceans and ocean currents have been changed, and these conditions have brought 

 about these great changes in climates. It cannot then be considered an unrea- 

 sonable hypothesis, that the results which have followed natural causes shall also 

 succeed artificial means when the elements necessary are at hand. 



Permit a digression, to direct attention to the fact, as has been indicated 

 above, that the current of this canal will be such that in the course of time it 

 will result in the destruction of a considerable portion of the Isthmus, In that 

 case the canal company will find a difficulty in making the investment a source 

 of profit, as the canal will soon have overreached their boundaries, and will be- 

 come a public highway, a great waterway for the shipping of the world. 



THE ATMOSPHERIC HAZE OF 1883 AND 1884. 



W. H. PRATT, DAVENPORT, IOWA. 



The long continued prevalence of the "red skies" constitutes a phenomenon 

 which at least in point of duration is quite unprecedented. As the months pass 

 and this wonderful effect has not faded away as was expected, the subject assumes 



