Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-11-03
The Kuro Siwo|the Gulf Stream
Of the Pacific.
BY T. B. MACRY.

So much for tbe Gulf Stream. Let US
turn now to the Kuro Siwo, the other fac
tor in the result claimed by the new theo-
ry for thermometric 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 OBJ
tain their volume 1t moves, as do all
such currents of the ocean, on the line or
a great circle, and this circle intersects
the equator as an acute angle of only a
few degrees. 1t sweeps to the westward,
in uninterrupted grandeur" as one ex-
presses it. around three eights of the cir
cumfcrence of the globe, until diverted by
the continent of Asia, and split into in
Vulnerable streams by the Polynesian Is
lands. Reaching the Ladrones, it imparts
much warmer climate than it has given
to the Sandwich or Marquesas. The Phil
ippines are made oppressiyely hot even IN
winter, and one familiar with 1t has said :
The. fervor increases as we reach Malac-
ca, is all aglow in India. and becomes stlf-
ling in its intensity as these equatorial
waters, after travelling fifteen thousand
miles and being fully three hundred days
under vlrtical sun, are thrown against
the eastern shores of Africa" This Equa-
torial Current is as broad as the Torrld
Zone, and out Of it comes the Kuro SIwo.
The latter possesses temperature more
striking in its contrast wlth the surround
ing waters than does the Gulf Stream OF
the Atlantic.
Striking off at Formosa from the great
Equatorial. it moves with majestic powers,
Leedless of the fercest gale, and to the eye
of the thoughtful observer is bent upon the
discharge of some momentous mission
Reaching the fortieth parallel of north lat
itude, its surface is swept by the brave
west Winds of the northern hemisphere.
1t now seems to turn aside from its course,
and curve away to the American shores.
On the track of its northeasterly flow the
map-maker writes another name, as II
some mighty power had diverted it. But
it has not been turned; only little OF Its
foamy surface has been borne along IN the
easterly set. The vast torrent Is only
:kimmed. The recurvation which pours
around the southern coasts of Alaska, and
laves the western shores of Sitka Island, is
but drift. The tremendous bulk OF
equatorial water rushes on in changeiess
course. 1t is moving in obedience to Q
steady and almighty hand Every drop
feels the impulse Of a force it cannot resist
Every drop is lighter than the drop oi
polar water. with which it is fastening tc
exchange places, lest the equilibrium Of
nature be overthrown.
But on its way it receives. every me-
ment an impact from the earth's rotation
And thus it moves on the line of great
circle to the northeast, and entering Ber-
ine's Sea knocks for admission at the very
gates of the Polar Ocean. In its course
its pathway is strewed with the marks o1
its thermal and climatic power. If the
Gulf Stream has clothed Ireland with it,
robe of verdure, and made it the 'Emer
aid Isle," the Kuro Siwo has done as much
for the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. They
are mantled with living green. The focks
scarcely need shelter in winter. If their
soil is treeless, their Gulf Stream richly
supplies them with timber for their canoes
and camphor-wood of Japan and China
for their furniture.-AtLantic Monthly
for October.