184 Mr. Renneli/s Observations on a Current 
by degrees it mixes with the ocean ; after being projected 
into it, either from the side of some promontory, that extends 
very far beyond the general direction of the coast ; or after 
being conducted into it, through a strait. 
The original cause of this current, I apprehend to be, the 
prevalence of westerly winds in the Atlantic ; which, impel- 
ling the waters along the north coast of Spain, occasions a 
current, in the first instance. The stronger the wind, the 
more water will be driven into the Bay of Biscay, in a given 
time ; and the longer the continuance of the wind, the far- 
ther will the vein of current extend. 
It seems to be clearly proved, that currents of water, after 
running along a coast that suddenly changes its direction, (as 
happens on the French coast, at the promontory south of 
Brest) do not change their course with that of the shore, but 
preserve, for a considerable time, the direction which they re- 
ceived from the coast they last ran by. In some instances, 
after being projected into the sea, they never again approach 
the shore ; but preserve, to a very great distance, nearly the 
direction in which they were projected ; as well as a consi- 
derable degree of their original velocity, and temperature. 
The gulf stream (of Florida) is a wonderful instance of this 
kind ; which, originating in a body of pent-up waters, in the 
Gulf of Mexico, is discharged with such velocity, through the 
Straits of Bahama, that its motion is traceable through the At- 
lantic, to the Bank of Newfoundland ; and may possibly ex- 
tend much farther. This being therefore the case, we can 
have no difficulty in conceiving, that the current of the Bay of 
Biscay continues its course, which may be about NW by W, 
from the coast of F ranee, to the westward of Scilly and Ireland. 
