APPENDIX. 335 



G. 



Comparative Tables of Temperature, obtained from Arctic Fat/ayes, 



1819 to 1855. 



These Tables were compiled from documents collected by me from 

 private sources, as well as from the published Journals of Sir Edward 

 Parry, on his voyages within Lancaster Sound. 



In the course of my Narrative it will appear that I have long enter- 

 tained the opinion connected with climates where the temperature de- 

 scends much below the freezing-point, that there periodic depressions 

 or low temperatures occur preceding, as well as following, the com- 

 monly termed winter, and sudden elevations also at apparently undue 

 seasons. 



Before I had more than suspected these matters to have any ground 

 for discussion, T had relied sufficiently on my own opinion, to found 

 my orders for sledge motions on the approaching spring travel of 

 1853 ; and as regarded other matters, as cutting out, taking down 

 housings, etc., I had also formed distinct estimates of the dates for 

 carrying out these special points of service. I then determined to 

 construct these Tables, and was peculiarly struck with the coincidence 

 of periods, etc., in confirmation of my views. I became more decisive 

 in my orders for the period of starting, and I was able to estimate, 

 from the mean temperatures of preceding years, when the cold weather 

 should terminate. 



I have already stated fully my views as to particular periods of cold 

 temperatures: thus, between the 1st and 10th November,* 20th to 

 25th December, and 10th to 15th March, I expected very decided and 



* In reference to the published Meteorological Tables for Lake Atha- 

 basca in 1843-4, situated in lat. 58 43' N., I notice November 12th, 

 6 - 8, plus signs preceding and following; December 12th, + 6'5; 

 14th, -22-9; January 9th, 1844, 38; March 9th, 17-60; all 

 according with those periods, or, as I imagine, dependent on the full 

 or change of the moon nearest to those dates. In some years the 

 period may be deranged by the date occurring seven days earlier or 

 later. 



