E. B. Hunt on the Florida Gulf Stream. 213 
Before attempting to theorize on the cause of this westerly 
current, it is certainly very desirable that it should be more ac- 
curately defined. The efiect of dragging by the Gulf Stream 
along its sides, may perhaps be to produce a deficiency of water 
behind, to be replaced by a return current of this degree of force, 
but it would certainly not call for such a vast body of westerly 
current as is vouched for in some cases, nor would it explain its 
alleged fluctuations. Some of the wrecks which have lately oc- 
curred seem due to a strong current setting through the Santarem 
hannel, and we may see in this a suggestion of a cause for the 
westward currents when these exceed the magnitude of a proper 
antarem current projected across the gulf, may be 
Sle down the reef, though I should not much expect such a 
Tesu 
tion would inevitably create. The whole motion of a descending 
Tver in the Sea, with its source in the Gulf of Mexico, seems to 
importance makes such an inquiry any thing but speculative, 
and should stimulate active and well-conditioned observa- 
We well know how imperfect the observations by the 
hips must be; they are rather indications than meas- 
Ih view of the present state of the case, I would ask attention 
to the Promise of results offered by undertaking an extensive 
.nl0 to Cape Catoche. By systematic proceedings several ” 
nets Might be well illustrated. Suppose a vessel to eross on 
h is line, Say twice monthly for a year, throwing over one or two 
undred bottles each time, containing slips duly numbered SO as 
Indicate each starting point accurately; these points being 
Wwarly distributed on the line run, and checked by the verifi- 
Cation of the route sailed. As these bottles proceed on their 
purse, they will become faithful witnesses of the currents, and 
by their spreading they will show conclusively what the real 
rourse of the Gulf Stream is, and whether it is broken, one 
auch sweeping around the gulf coast, and the other pushing 
SECOND SERIES, Voc. XXVIL, No. 80-= oH, 1858 
