CHAP. viii.J THE GULF-STREAM. 389 



the axis of the Gulf-stream, and is about 170 miles 

 wide. This is followed by a second minimum of 

 25°' 5 C, and this by a third maximum, when the 

 bands become indistinct. It is singular that the 

 minimum bands correspond with valley-like depres- 

 sions in the bottom, which follow in succession the 

 outline of the coast and lodge deap southward exten- 

 sions of the polar indraught. 



The last section of the Gulf-stream surveyed by 

 the American Hydrographers extends in a south- 

 easterly direction from Cape Cod, lat. 41° N., and 

 traces the Gulf-stream, still broken up by its bands 

 of unequal temperature, spreading directly eastward 

 across the Atlantic; its velocity has, however, now 

 become inconsiderable, and its limits are best traced 

 by the thermometer. 



The course of the Gulf-stream beyond this point 

 has given rise to much discussion. I again quote 

 Professor Buff for what may be regarded as the 

 view most generally received among Physical Geo- 

 graphers : — • 



" A great part of the warm water is carried partly 

 by its own motion, but chiefly by the prevailing west 

 and north-west winds, towards the coasts of Europe 

 and even beyond Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla ; and 

 thus a part of the heat of the south reaches far into 

 the Arctic Ocean. Hence, on the north coast of the 

 old Continent, we always find driftwood from the 

 southern regions, and on this side the Arctic Ocean 

 remains free from ice during a great part of the year, 

 even as far up as 80° north latitude ; while on the 

 opposite coast (of Greenland) the ice is not quite 

 thawed even in summer." The two forces invoked 



