RAPID FALL OF THERMOMETER. I67 



the hut, where it soon burrowed. When any 

 one attempted to caress it, the little creature 

 made a half stifled snarl, and snapped, but not 

 viciously, at the extended hand. It rejected 

 biscuit, but devoured a tallow candle with avidity 

 and seeming satisfaction. 



From our proximity to the shore, the sun had 

 not been visible since the 12th instant, when its 

 altitude a few minutes after ll h was 1° 40' ; yet, 

 according to our perception, little if any difference 

 was observed in the diminution of daylight. At 

 length the 21st December arrived ; and as the 

 moon would be at full on the following day, we 

 began to fancy that another spring- tide would 

 pass by with impunity. Indeed every circum- 

 stance concurred to confirm the opinion, until 

 towards night, when the barometer began to 

 fall with such precipitation as to prepare the 

 minds of all for some uncommon occurrence. 

 The mercury which had stood at 30 inches, 

 had, in the course of eighteen hours, which 

 brought it near the time of change, fallen to 

 28. 26. During this interval the wind had 

 been light and unsteady, veering round the 

 compass, but at ll h a. m., December 22d, it 

 settled at S.S.E., and soon blew hard. While 

 these changes were in progress the whole sky had 

 become overcast, and a dense haze, occasioned 

 by the partial falling of snow, limited the view 



M 4 



