154 
2. On the Temperature of the Sea around the Coasts of 
Scotland during the years 1857 and 1858 ; and the bear- 
ing of the facts on the Gulf-stream Theory. By James 
Stark, M.D., F.B.S.E., &c. 
By a reference to observations made on the temperature of the 
air, of the sea, and the solid land, the author showed that the mean 
temperature of each of these in and around Scotland were within 
the fraction of a degree of each other. From observations made on 
the temperature of the air and of the sea at stations on the west coast, 
he showed that not only did the air and sea attain their respective 
minima and maxima at the same time, but that even in their fluctua- 
tions of temperature they bore a distinct accord with each other. He 
then pointed out that such fluctuations in the temperature of the sea 
were quite fatal to the theory of the mild winters of Britain being 
dependent on the influence of the Gulf-stream, as such fluctuations 
could not occur were the temperature of the sea dependent on the 
heated waters of the GuU'-stream. From a variety of considerations 
he therefore endeavoured to demonstrate that the mild winters of 
Britain were due to the south, south-west, and west winds, which 
are the prevalent aerial currents which pass over Britain during the 
winter season. 
He then examined the whole evidence brought forward by Maury 
and others for the Gulf-stream flowing up through the North 
Atlantic to Britain and the North Seas, and by a reference to a 
number of well ascertained facts, demonstrated that the Gulf-stream 
has no such course ; but that, on the other hand, it is, on the east of 
the great Newfoundland Bank, deflected southwards by the great 
Arctic current, and is lost in that great calm mass of waters, the 
Sargasso Sea, which exists in the centre of the Atlantic. 
He then pointed out the course of the currents in the North 
Atlantic Ocean. He showed that though a small portion of the 
Arctic current flows through the Gulf of St Lawrence, while another 
portion flows towards the American coasts, washing the southern 
shores of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, that the chief portion of 
that current crosses the Atlantic towards the western shores of 
Europe and Africa. That the upper part of this current entering 
the Bay of Biscay, washes round it, giving rise to the current known 
as Rennell’s current, which as it leaves the Bay of Biscay crosses 
