The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XII, No. 2 [‎271r] (44/154)

OCEAN, AND ITS RELATION TO OTHER OCEANOGRAPHICAL PHENOMENA. 135
and he has given us a most admirable lecture to-night. He has certainly enlarged
my ideas very much on the effect of the changes of temperature in the water. He
has done what has not been done before—constructed this map from extreme ranges.
It has been taken in some cases from a small number of observations, but probably
represents the main facts. He has shown us what a great effect these changes of
temperature may have on life, and he has referred also to the great effect it has on
meteorological conditions—the formation of cyclones. It has been well known for
a long time that the great birthplace of gales are those areas that he has pointed
out, where the changes of temperature are the greatest. I am not at all prepared to
follow him in his speculations as to how the animals who live in the arctic and
antarctic regions have managed to change their localities; but I think he has
given us very good proof that the animals are practically identical, and the question
of how that has come about, I suppose, will not be solved quite yet. It is a matter
for further investigation. I do not think I shall add anything to your knowledge
if I say anything more.
Dr. Buchan ; In this communication Dr. Murray has made a notable advance
in oceanography. Several attempts have been previously made to show the range
of the surface temperature of the ocean. But all these attempts have been simply
to represent the difference in temperature between February and August, the
coldest and warmest months respectively. It is, however, evident that such a
range-temperature map of the surface waters of the oceans of the globe is singularly
defective in showing the influence of temperature-changes on the living creatures
with which the ocean everywhere teems. To do this it is altogether essential to
reveal the absolute extremes of temperature to which these living creatures are
exposed in the course of years. This is the problem which Dr. Murray has for
years resolutely faced, and the map now hanging on the wall is the outcome of this
great undertaking. It shows the difference between the absolutely highest and
the absolutely lowest temperatures hitherto observed in each 2° square of the
ocean, and the Royal Geographical Society is to be congratulated as being the
medium of communicating this important investigation to the scientific world,
which has been successfully carried out at no inconsiderable labour, time, and
expense.
Mr. W. Leighton Jordan : What we have just heard from Dr. Murray evidently
forms an admirable basis for a general discussion on the subject, and that has never
yet been held since the Challenger returned, so I would suggest that the meeting
be adjourned; we need not necessarily meet here, but I move that the meeting be
adjourned in order that the discussion may be continued. It is too late now to
have the discussion.
Dr. Murray: I should not be able to be present; I shall have to return to
Scotland within two days.
Mr. Leighton Jordan : I am afraid it is rather late to start a discussion
now—ten o’clock.
Dr. Mill : My only claim to speak is that, of all those in this audience, I am,
perhaps, the one who has most enjoyed to-night’s meeting. I have been associated
with Dr. Murray for several years in practical oceanographical work, and it has
been a wonder to me to see the way in which he has been able to fix upon those
facts that were capable of the widest possible application, and to pass by others
that were merely local. In his paper to-night he has brought up a wealth of
material suitable for discussion, but unfortunately there are very few—in fact, I
feel there is no one—fully capable of discussing this question at the present time
except Dr. Murray himself. That is one of the reasons why it is so desirable that
we should have some more information, such as a new oceanographical expedition