102 SIMILAR TEMPERATURES. [February, 



mum ; I suppose therefore that the thermometer had a 

 correction applied when the tables were completed.) 



" Splitting straws" here is cold work, but where the 

 mind has no time for rest there must be ample food for 

 theory. It is our business to find facts to uphold or 

 demolish. The present discussion suggested to me the 

 probability of an average degree of heat and cold due to 

 these localities, within certain parallels, which might be 

 deemed fit for comparison. Fortunately, I had taken 

 the precaution of collecting such documents as would be 

 of interest to me, and I now find, curiously enough, that 

 the following very close comparisons result : 



In H.M.S. Hecla at Melville Island during 273 days . - 9'07 



,, Enterprise, Port Leopold 10'44 



Resolute, Griffith Island 9'57 



Assistance, Northumberland Sound . . . 10'03 



o 



Mean -9'7SO 



Tins result is truly amusing to me ; and to those who 

 do not enter into such discussions, the ctii bono wet 

 blankets on every scientific discussion beyond their 

 horizon, I would anticipate the question What do you 

 learn from this ? To my mind, much of importance as 

 regards hope ; definite orders for my officers, and some 

 diminution of anxiety for those I send forth. Taking 

 the comparison resulting from this season's registry, I 

 find, that we have yet to expect 14' 56 more cold 

 before the 1st of June, in order to compensate, or equal, 

 that experienced during the last season ; and day by day 

 as this is swept away, so will my confidence in my in- 

 tended measures be strengthened. 



