592 



Dr. W. B. Carpenter on the [June 13, 



APPENDIX. 



I. On the Gulf-stream, in relation to the General 

 Oceanic Circulation. 



85. The question how far the Climate of Northern Europe, and the 

 temperature of the Arctic Sea between Iceland and Nova Zembla, is modified 

 by the Gulf-stream, has of late been much discussed among Physical 

 Geographers ; and opinions the most contrary have been expressed on the 

 subject, For whilst it is maintained by some that there is ample evidence 

 of the amelioration of that Climate by a North-easterly stream of Oceanic 

 water, bearing with it the warmth of a more Southern latitude, and further, 

 that this flow is essentially a prolongation of the Florida Current or Gulf- 

 stream proper, still bearing with it a large measure of the initial force which it 

 derived from the Trade-winds, it is asserted by others that the Gulf-stream 

 proper dies out in the Mid- Atlantic, shortly after encountering the Arctic 

 Current off the Banks of Newfoundland ; and that it consequently exerts 

 no other influence on the Climate of Northern Europe and on the tempera- 

 ture of the Arctic Sea, than as contributing to the warmth of the South- 

 westerly winds which blow from the area traversed by the Gulf-stream 

 towards the British Islands and the Scandinavian Peninsula, and, by their 

 prevalence over all others, maintain a North-easterly surface-drift over the 

 portion of the North Atlantic which washes their shores. 



86. Now since the doctrine of a General Oceanic Circulation dependent on 

 difference of Temperature, which I have advocated in my successive Reports, 

 will, if admitted, reconcile these opposing views, — by giving a vera causa 

 for that deep flow of water from the warmer area of the North Atlantic 

 towards the Polar Sea which Thermometric observations unmistakably 

 indicate ; whilst it accepts as of no less value the conclusions of those 

 who, after a careful study of the Florida Current, are satisfied of its 

 entire inadequacy to perform the function assigned to it — I think it worth 

 while to develope this doctrine somewhat more fully with special reference 

 to the question of the Gulf- stream ; more especially since my views have 

 been strangely misunderstood by some of those who have taken prominent 

 parts in the controversy. — In order to place this question fully before the 

 Scientific public, I shall briefly summarize the opinions which have of late 

 years found advocates among men whose knowledge of the subject entitles 

 their views to respectful consideration. 



87. The doctrine of the Gulf-stream prevalent thirty years ago was thus 

 unhesitatingly expressed by Humboldt in the first volume of his ' Kosmos ' 

 (1844) : — " It pours itself from the Caribbean Sea and the Mexican Gulf 

 " through the channel of the Bahamas, and, following a direction from 

 " S.S.W. to N.N.E., deviates more and more from the coast of the United 



