TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



69 



of which Ceuta is situated, rises nearly opposite to 

 Gibraltar ; towards . the west appears the chain of 

 mountains which extends behind Tangier, and ter- 

 minates in Cape Espartel. The current may be 

 easily perceived in the strait, which constantly 

 brings water from the ocean into the Mediterranean, 

 and gave rise to H alley's well-known theory, of 

 the more rapid evaporation of the water in that sea. 

 This current runs about four or five leagues in 

 the hour, and is so strong, that even large ships 

 cannot sail from the strait to the west without a 

 good east wind, for which reason they are frequently 

 obliged to remain a long time in the harbour of 

 Gibraltar, whereas vessels from the Atlantic can 

 enter, even with a contrary wind. In the Medi- 

 terranean, the current is perceptible as far as the 

 coast of Malaga, twenty leagues, or according 

 to others, Cabo de Gata, seventy leagues from 

 Gibraltar. Rennel's observation * is, that the whole 

 surface of the ocean, from the 45th to the 30th 

 degree of latitude, to the distance of a hundred and 

 thirty miles westward of the shores of Europe and 

 Africa, is in motion towards the Pillars of Hercules, 

 and runs between Cape St. Vincent and Cape 

 Cantin, as it were into a funnel, of which the strait 

 of Gibraltar is the mouth. This current is con- 

 nected with that which goes southward along the 

 western coast of Spain and Portugal, is felt beyond 

 Madeira, and causes vessels, bound to Madeira or 



* Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, 1821, vol. iv. p. 241. 



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