164 



surface layer 45 meters (25 fathoms) in thickness 30 miles out from 

 the edge. Another surface film of water of low salinity, much thinner 

 than the above, was found on the east side of the Bank. Curiously 

 enough this tendency toward offshore expansion was confined 

 entirely to the surface, and the water in the deeper layers over the 

 Bank was more saline in October than during the previous spring. 

 The only source from which this water could have received salt}' 

 adulterations is to the southward — the offshore Atlantic. All this 

 suggests a continuous and extensive expansion of warm surface 

 water of low salinit}' from the coast seaward ; and progressive mixing 

 on the slope and on the bottom of the Bank, whereby salinity and 

 temperature vfere raised by the warm salt Atlantic influence. 



It might be added that the two northern Banks' stations, one on 

 the west side and /)ne on the east side, were warmer and fresher in 

 the surface layers than those farther south around the Tail, and 

 moreover the westernmost of these stations was fresher on the surface, 

 but not warmer, than the eastern one. This points to an easterh' 

 progress of the fresh surface layers which is freshest on the west side 

 of the Bank, because it is nearest the source of supply, and warmer 

 on the east because warmed by solar heat as it progresses across the 

 shallows. 



SUMMARY. 



The following conclusions are reached as a result of the fall oceano- 

 graphic cruise: 



(a) Arctic water was present along the Atlantic faces of the Grand 

 Bank. 



(6) The head of northern water around the Tail had warmed by 

 1° and salted by 0.8 7oo since spring. 



(c) The northern water was a very shallow and narrow band as 

 compared with that of June. 



(d) Isolated cold patches were present on the southwest slope 

 which had originally been connected with a northern supply. 



(e) The narrowness and shallowness ot the icy water (yet existing) 

 was a feature of the fall observations. 



(/) No appreciable southerly sot was noticeable while navigating 

 in this cold water. 



ig) An increase since spring was noticed in the quantity of 

 offshore expansion of low salinity water in the surface layers. 



(h) The eastward movement of this water across the Grand Banks 

 was also observed at stations 355 and 369. 



(i) Evidence was gathered which indicates a seasonal variation in 

 the current from the north. 



