94 
MR. H. N. DICKSON ON THE CIRCULATION OF THE 
south-eastern regions; and a rise of temperature in the north-eastern, probably with 
slight increase of salinity, except between Iceland and the Faeroes. 
Comparing 1897 with 1896, the characteristic difference in the south-west is the 
greater warmth and saltness along the line of 40° N. to the west of long. 50° W., and 
the crowding together of the lines immediately to the north of this. In the south¬ 
east and east, and probably in mid-Atlantic, the distribution of both temjDerature and 
salinity is much the same as last year, hut in the Faeroe-Shetland Channel and 
North Sea temperature and salinity are lower. Temperature is very markedly lower 
to the west of Iceland. 
April, 1897.—The distribution of temperature in the south-west has become very 
irregular : there is no very clear rise or fall, but the crowding together of last month 
has given rise to bending or “ interdigitating ” of the lines. Little change is apparent 
in the south centre, south-east, and east, except a slight seasonal rise, and in the 
south a tendency to e(|ualisation of temperature shown by the straightening out of 
the 12° and 15° lines. North of the Faeroes temperature has fallen slightly—the 
5° line has filled out southwards and eastwards. Tenp^erature has risen to the west 
of Iceland, and v^est of Cape Farewell. 
In the south-west there is distinct increase of salinity just north of lat. 40° N. and 
about long. 50° W.—note the appearance of the 36'5 line and the retreat of the 
34 line, which now has a sharp bend. In the south centre there does not seem to be 
much chanp’e, but there is an increase of salinity iii the east and north-east—note the 
position of the 35‘5 line, and the re|)lacing of the 35 line by that of 35'3. The 
increase of salinity does not, however, appear to extend north or west of the Faeroe 
Islands, to judge from the form of the 35'3 line. 
Thus the changes are, on the vdiole, slight; the distribution of temperature has 
become irregular in the south-west, and in the south centre, south-east, and east up 
to the Faeroe Channel salinity has increased. 
Compared with April, 1896, the temperature is much the same W'est of long. 50° W., 
but east of that meridian it is lower—the lines runnino’ more east and west—note the 
isothermals of 8°, 10°, 12°, 15°. Tem 2 :)erature is lov’er in the Faeroe-Shetland 
Channel, but while the 5° line is in nearly the same position, the water east and 
north-east of Iceland is warmer. East of Greenland temperature is lower—note the 
5° line S.W. of Iceland and S. of lat. 60°, but to the west slight A warmer (3° line). 
West of long. 50° W. salinity is on the whole greater, and between long. 40° W. 
and 50° W. there is a marked increase. The increase holds good all over the south¬ 
eastern and eastern area, up to the Faeroes, and across to the south of Iceland. 
Beyond this the form of the 35 line, so far as it can be depended on, supports the 
temperature observations in indicating more uniform conditions than last year. 
West and south-west of Iceland the water is fresher, the 35 and 3 5'3 lines have 
retreated south-eastward. 
May, 1897.—In the south-w^estern region the seasonal rise of temperature is great 
