196 



COMPARISON OF THERMOMETERS. [January, 



January 6. Our temperatures seem now inclined to 

 reach their lowest point. It is at present 51 '5, and 

 falling ; yet we do not feel the change. In some of the 

 journals we may possibly find a minimum temperature 

 nearly 2 below the standard, but the final results re- 

 corded in the Meteorological Journal will alone be cor- 

 rect. The annexed comparison of the seven best will 

 indicate pretty clearly the value of the instruments : 



Cold as this is, and my cabin temperature fell to 22, 

 freezing everything in it (malgre Sylvester), the cold, as 

 intensity, would not have been noted, unless the officers 

 at the Observatory had given information. 



Last night heavy sounds were heard, and some as- 

 serted that the reports of guns were distinguished ; but 

 I suspect that it was merely the result of a distant floe- 

 crack, as the temperature of the ship causing her to re- 

 lease herself from the ice, or from portions hanging on 

 her, frequently produces similar results. The light is 

 visibly increasing, enabling me, near noon, to note time 

 easily by a watch. 



January 7. The noises were repeated last night, and 

 a large additional crack between the ship and the Ob- 

 servatory was noticed. I understand that the ' Pioneer' 



