CUEEENTS AND TYPHOONS. 65 



The climate of the south-eastern parts of Nipon, 

 speaking generally of the group of islands which col- 

 lectively make up the kingdom of Japan/ is so influenced 

 by this warm body of water that it is almost tropical 

 in Kiusiu, their southern extremity. Fish are found 

 on the north coast which could not exist on the southern 

 side. The winter on the north side is most severe and 

 lengthened, whereas on the south it is more a, fitful than 

 a regular visitant. The Gulf Stream of the Atlantic and 

 this Pacific current are very similar in origin, course, 

 and influence. Fortunately, we in England are envel- 

 oped by the Gulf Stream, otherwise our climate would 

 be hardly bearable. Japan is not so encircled by the 

 " Kuro Siwo," the south side alone being influenced by 

 it. The consequence is, that although so much lower 

 in latitude than England, lying between the parallels of 

 30 and 45, which includes Yesso, the climate is very 

 much more severe than ours. The stream being inter- 

 fered with and checked in its northern course by the 

 coast of Japan, is not only driven off, and forced to the 

 eastward with great speed, but is very erratic in its 

 general movements. I remember well when making 

 this coast many years ago, when it was all but a terra 



' It may be well to mention that " Nipon " and "Japan" are 

 synonymous. 



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