III. On the determination, at sea, of the specific gravity of sea-water

In the investigation of the physical condition of the ocean the accurate determination of the specific gravity of the water holds a first place. The tolerably numerous observations which have been made in this direction, in a more or less connected manner, are sufficient to prove that the density of the water varies, not only with the latitude and longitude, but also with the distance from the surface of the source from which it is taken. This difference of density depends partly on an actual difference in saltness, and partly on a difference in temperature of the water.