CURRENTS AND WHALING. 501 



soundings, or near islands, the temperature always falls, is not correct. 

 I am of opinion that this diminution only takes place where polar 

 streams prevail, and particularly if they be submarine. The obstruc- 

 tion throws their waters upward, and mingles them with those at the 

 surface, which causes the low temperature. It would therefore seem 

 as if the existence of polar currents may be shown by a fall of tem- 

 perature on coming within soundings, and that when this does not 

 occur, it may be assumed as certain, that no polar current prevails in 

 the neighbourhood. 



Between the Society Islands and the Samoan Group, it may be 

 said that there are no currents. The distance is about two thousand 

 miles, and our passage occupied fourteen days, during which time the 

 whole amount of drift was forty-three miles in a direction N. 9° W. 



On approaching the latter group, the temperature of the water rose 

 a few degrees, indicating, according to the view I have already taken, 

 that there was no submarine cold current. 



Around the Samoan Group a current appeared to revolve ; for on 

 the southern side it set continually eastward, while on the northern 

 side it set to the west. This current is weakest near the shores, and 

 is not fully developed until at some distance from the islands. This 

 phenomenon has little connexion with the tides, and does not appear 

 to be connected with the general system ; at least I have been unable 

 to account for it on general principles. A knowledge of its existence 

 is however of importance to the navigator, as advantage may be taken 

 of the easterly direction of that part to the south of the islands, in 

 beating to windward. 



On leaving the Samoan Islands for Sydney, and passing to the 

 westward of the Feejee Group, a current was found setting to the 

 southwest, and this prevails beyond the latter islands. 



As we approached Lord Howe's Island and Bell's Pyramid, we 

 met a current setting north, in which direction our drift on the pas- 

 sage to Sydney was one hundred and twenty miles. In the neigh- 

 bourhood of the first-named island, the temperature of the water fell 

 to 66°. After this, however, and before making the coast of New 

 South Wales, the temperature of the water rose to 73°, and we 

 experienced the effects of a stream that sets to the southward parallel 

 to the coast of New Holland. This current, like the Gulf Stream, 

 is variable in breadth and strength, and at certain seasons of the year 

 runs with great rapidity. The occurrence of this stream renders it 

 advisable that vessels bound to Sydney, should make their land fall 



vol. v. 126 



