182 MINIMUM TEMPERATURES. [December, 



consider to be the winter's warning. The weather has 

 become steady and settled, and, guided by the records 

 of previous navigators, I have made up my mind, after 

 investigating the comparative tables furnished by them, 

 that about 40, as a general temperature for winter, 

 may be expected. I notice that the minimum tempera- 

 tures for December of ' Hecla,' 1819, 43; 'Enterprise,' 



56-5; 'Hecla '(third voyage), 35; 'Resolute,' 1850, 



39'5; and as the general seasons in high latitudes may 

 be said to observe some little uniformity, I have little 

 doubt but we shall not differ, except it be by a few de- 

 grees lower in the scale, from our predecessors. 



My opinion as to the cold dates I have already stated ; 

 but I hope to add to this Work tables exhibiting the 

 comparative ranges of temperature experienced during 

 the several voyages of Captains Parry, James Ross, Aus- 

 tin, and the present, affording ten clear important co- 

 lumns, ranging over thirty-five years. 



We find it very difficult to preserve a medium tem- 

 perature between decks, the cold air rushing down and 

 condensing the vapour so rapidly on the beams as to 

 wet the hammocks at night. Of this the men complain ; 

 but if we increase fuel and raise the temperature, it is 

 even worse. The housing is old, weather-worn, and the 

 same which was supplied to Captain Ommanney, with 

 about forty yards to repair damages ! 



The fitting in these cases should be as perfect as that 

 of the Houses of Parliament : there, it is matter of con- 

 venience, luxury, or personal comfort ; here, the lives of 

 many valuable men are at stake. A very simple original 

 fitting, or the prepared materials supplied, woidd have 



