The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-10-13
Huro sfwo, the Gulf Stream OF the
SStNIEH Ra0ncs fE EICErtts

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So much for the Gulf Stream. Let
us turn now to the Kuro Siwo, the
other factor in the result claimed by the
new theory for thermometric APP
proaSh to the pclels 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 cur
rents or the ocean, on the line OF a great
circle, and this circle intersects the
equator at an acute angle Of onlya few
degrees. = It sweeps to the westward in
Iunihtefrppted grandeur as one ex-
presses it, around three-eighths of the
circumference Of the globe till diverted
by Asia and split into innum-
cradle streams, BY the Polynesian
Islands. Reaching the Ladrones, it
imports much warmer climate than it
has given to the Sandwich or Mar
quesas. The PHILIPPINES are made OPP
pressively hot even in winter, and one
familiar with it has said 20 the fer
vor increases as we reach Malacca is
all aglow in India, and becomes sitting
in its intensity as those equatorial wa
ters, 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 Kuro Siwo.
The latter possesses temperature
more striking in its contrast with the
surrounding waters than does the Gulf
stream Of the Atlantic.
Striking off at Formosa for the great
Equatorial, it moves with majestic pow
ers, needless Of the fiercest gale, and to
the eye of the thoughtful observer is
bent upon the discharge of some mo-
mentous mission. Reaching the for
tieth parallel of north latitude, its sur
face is swept by the brave ives; 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 mapmaker writes as if another
name, some mighty power, had diverted
it. But it has not been turned: only a
little of its foamy surface has been borne
along in the easternly set. The vast
torrent is only SKINNED. The recurva-
ton which pours around the southern
coast of Alaska, and leaves the western
shores of Sitka Island, is but a drift.
The tremendous bulk Of equatorial
water rushes on in changeless course
1t is moving in obedience to a steady
and almighty hand. Every drop feels
the impulse Of force it can not resist.
Every drop is lighter than the drop Of
polar water with which it is Fastening
to exchange places, least the equilibrium
of nature should be overthrow.
On its 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 it's pathway is strewn with
the marks of its thermal and climatic
power. If the Gulf Stream has clothed
Ireland with its 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. II their soil is
treeless, their Gulf Stream richly sup
plies them with timber for their canoes
and camphorwood of Japan and China
for their furniture.