The above remarks apply equally to Dr. Carpenter’s form of the theory;
for according to a doctrine of General Oceanic Circulation resulting
from difference of specific gravity between the water at the equator
and at the poles, the equatorial water will be carried more to the
cold than to the warm hemisphere. It is perfectly true that a belief
in a general oceanic circulation may be held quite consistently with
the theory of secular changes of climate, provided it be admitted
that not this general circulation but ocean currents are the great
agency employed in distributing heat over the globe. The advocates of
the theory, however, admit no such thing, but regard ocean currents
as of secondary importance. It may be stated that the existence of
this general ocean circulation has never been detected by actual
observation. It is simply assumed in order to account for certain
facts, and it is asserted that such a circulation must take place as
a physical necessity. I freely admit that were it not that the warm
water of equatorial regions is being constantly carried off by means
of ocean currents such as the Gulf-stream, it would accumulate till,
in order to restoration of equilibrium, such a general movement as is
supposed would be generated. But it will be shown that the warm water
in equatorial regions is being drained off so rapidly by ocean currents
that the actual density of an equatorial column differs so little
from that of a polar column that the force of gravity resulting from
that difference is so infinitesimal that it is doubtful whether it is
sufficient to produce sensible motion. I have also shown in Chapter
VIII. that all the facts which this theory is designed to explain are
not only explained by the wind theory, but are deducible from it as
necessary consequences. In Chapter XI. it is proved, by contrasting
the quantity of heat conveyed by ocean currents from inter-tropical to
temperate and polar regions with such an amount as could possibly be
conveyed by means of a general oceanic circulation, that the latter
sinks into insignificance before the former. In Chapters X. and XII.
the various objections which have been advanced by Dr. Carpenter and
Mr. Findlay are discussed at considerable length, and in Chapter IX.
I have entered somewhat minutely into an examination of the mechanics
of the gravitation theory. A statement of the wind theory is given in
Chapter XIII.; and in Chapter XIV. is shown the relation of this theory
to the theory of Secular changes of climate. This terminates the part
of the inquiry relating to oceanic circulation.
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