12 AH NITERS ARY ADDRESS. 



would have more nearly realized the notion that Las been 

 expressed by previous observers, that one might drive a eoacb 

 along it. 



In the Reports to the Admiralty, which, by the favour of 

 Captain Nares, I had the pleasure of reading, arc mentioned 

 several facts which appear to me too important to be passed over. 



From previous researches in laying the cable to America, it 

 was known that the bottom of the Atlantic was in wide areas 

 covered with what the navigators called ooze. Captain Nares 

 states that a newer deposit was found at about two-thirds of the 

 distance between the Canary Islands and the AV r est Indies, and at 

 a depth of 3,150 fathoms this deposit of chocolate-coloured clay 

 extended for about 350 miles to the east and west of the deep 

 channel or hollow, without the usual characteristics of Atlantic 

 ooze, and with but little life of any kind. At about three-fifths 

 across, 1,000 miles east of the "West Indies, a depth of 1,900 

 fathoms only was obtained ; 2,000 fathoms only extending for at 

 least 180 miles ; so that here was a rise instead of a hollow, 

 indicating some geological change, since at 2,025 fathoms a little 

 to the eastward " the sounding rod was filled with decomposed 

 rock." The temperature of the bottom at all depths, except at 

 the sounding of 1,525 fathoms near the Canary Islands, was 

 remarkably uniform, ranging from 35-6 F. on the African to 

 31"9° F. on the American side of the Atlantic. (Report of 16th 

 March, 1873.) 



The Gulf Stream also has been subjected to cross-examination^ 

 and its source, course, and habit have been partially discovered. 

 Previous researches on two occasions in the North Sea, and in 

 laying the cable to America, had resulted in certain determina- 

 tions respecting the warm surface of the north-eastern prolonga- 

 tion of the Gulf Stream as far even as the Arctic Ocean itself, 

 under which was found a cold current from that ocean. A. 

 temperature of 49° F. is found to exist nearly all across the 

 Atlantic from E. to "W. at a uniform depth of about 380 

 fathoms. The water above gradually increases, and below 

 gradually decreases in temperature. 



