Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 22.5

22.5

Upon this theory it may, I think, be said that there are only two main and contrary flows [flux] of the sea, one from the Northern and the other from the Southern Pole; that if there existed a sea from one Pole to the other, which passed through Europe, we should there find these two currents regulated in every respect as in the Indies, and that the reason why this regularity is not general is that the seas are intercepted by lands, which obstruct, break, and diversify their course; in the same manner as some persons allege that the usual flux and reflux of the sea is prevented in those seas which, like the Mediterranean, stretch from East to West. According to this theory, it might also, in my opinion, be maintained that there are only two principal and opposite currents of air or wind, and that in regard to them the same regularity would reign generally, if the earth were also perfectly and generally smooth, and similar throughout.