394 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



temperature and density has a high capacity for aqueous 

 vapour, but these conditions are never met witii in combi- 

 nation within the arctic zone, while they are constant within 

 some portions of the torrid zone. If we apply these facts to 

 the distribution of heat on the earth's surface it will not 

 be difficult to understand the intensity of cold experienced 

 by arctic voyagers, for, though movement is constant in the 

 water and air oceans, the general effects produced by the 

 movements are very small outside each zonal district or 

 centre. The trade winds, monsoons, and, in fact, winds of 

 all kinds, are the outcome of differences of atmospheric 

 temperature. As we approach the polar regions the con- 

 trasts of temperatui'e grow less and less. The temperature 

 being low, the vapour or moisture in the atmosphere is also 

 low. 



It is a curious thing that Nordenskjold, in his "Voyage of 

 the 'Vega,'" makes no reference to rain during the period 

 of his wintering in the Arctic Ocean, although he appears 

 to have paid much attention to the weather. In vol. i., p. 482, 

 the following reference occurs: "The weather during winter 

 was very stormy, and the direction of the wind nearest the 

 surface was almost constantly between north-west and north- 

 north-west, but above there appeared an atmospheric current 

 uninterrupted from the south-east. This when it sank to 

 the sui"face brought with it air that was warmer and less 

 saturated with moisture." 



A similar remark applies in the case of Dr. Kane. I do 

 not remember a single instance in which he records the fall- 

 ing of rain during his long stay within the arctic zone. In 

 vol. ii., p. 55, reference is made to "that strange phenomenon 

 the warm south and south-east winds, which came upon us 

 in January and did not pass away till the middle of this 

 month. And even after it had gone the weather continued 

 for some days to lefiect its influence. The thermometer sel- 

 dom fell below — 40°, and stood some times as high as — 30°." 

 Further on Dr. Kane says, " There is much to be studied 

 in these atmospheric changes. There is a seeming connec- 

 tion between the increasing cold and the increasing moon- 

 light, which has sometimes forced itself on my notice." 

 The valuable tables of temperature which are given by Dr. 

 Kane (vol. ii., Appendix xii., p. 415) show the remarkable 

 contrasts of temperature which are met with in high lati- 

 tudes. For the year 1854 the mean temperature of the air 

 was — 5-01°. The highest temperature experienced was on 

 the 4th July, when the thermometer registered 53-9°. The 

 minimum temperature was reached on the 5th February, 

 when — 68° of cold was registered ; thus the range of tempera- 

 ture experienced in latitude 78° N. was 123-20°. 



