The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-10-01
The KHrO SiwO-The Gulf Stream of the
Pacific.
BY T. 3. MAURY.

So much for the Gulf Stream. Let us
turn now to the Kuro Siwo, the other fac
tor in the result claimed by the new theory
for a therometric approach to the POLE
The Equatorial Current of the Pacific is
wider and grander even than that of the
Atlantic. 1t is the parent stream, out of
which so many other bodies of water obtain
their volume. 1t moves, as do all such
currents of the ocean, on the line of great
circle, and this circle intersects the equator
at an acute angle of only few degrees
1t sweeps to the west ward, in "uninter-
rupted grandeur" as one expresses it,
around three Fights of the circumference
of the globe, until diverted by the CONT
nent of ASIA and split into innumerable
streams by the Polynesian Islands. Reach
ing the Ladrones, it imparts a much warm
CT climate than it has given to the Sand
witch or Marquesas. The Philippines are
made oppressively hot even in winter, and
one familiar with it has said: "The fer
yer increases as we reach Malacca, is all
aglow in India, and becomes sitting in its
intensity as these equatorial waters, after
travelling fifteen thousand miles and being
fully three hundred days under vertical
sun, are thrown against the eastern shores
of Africa" This Equatorial Current is
as broad as the Torrid Zone, and out of it
comes the hufO SlWO.
The latter possesses temperature more
striking in its contrast with the surround
ing waters than does the Gulf Stream of
the Atlantic.
Striking off at Formossa from the great
Equatorial, it moves with majestic powers,
needless of the tiercest gale, and to the eye
of the thoughtful observer is bent upon
the discharge of some momentous mission.
Reaching the forteith parallel Of north lati-
tude, its surface is swept by the "brave
west winds " of the northern hemisphere.
1t now seems to turn aside from it's course,
and curve away to the American Shore
On the track Of its northeasterly flow, the
map-maker writes another name, as if some
mighty power had diverted it. But it has
not been turned; only little Of it's foamy
surface has been borne along in the easterly
set The vast torrent is only skinamed.-
The recurvation which pours around the
southern coasts of Alaska, and laves the
western shores of Sitka Island, is but a
drift. The tremendous bulk Of Equatorial
water rushes on in a changeless course. 1t
is moving in obedience to steady and
almighty hand Every drop feels the i'm
pulse of force it cannot resist. Every
drop is lighter than the drop of polar
water, with which it is fastening to eX-
change places, lest the equilibrium of nature
be overthrown.
But on it's way it receives, every moment
an impact from the earth's rotation. And
thus it moves on the line of great circle
to the northeast, and entering Behring's
Sea knocks for admission at the very gates
of the Polar Ocean. In its course its path
way is strewed with the marks of its Their
NAL and climatic power. If the Gulf
Stream has clothed Ireland with it's robe
of verdure. and made it the Emerald
Isle" the Kuro Siwo has done as much for
the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. They
are mantled with living green. The flocks
scarcely need shelter in winter. If their
soil is treeless, their Gulf Stream richly
supplies them with timber for their canoes,
and camphorwood of Japan and China for
their furniture.-From ATLANTIC MONTHLY
for October.