18 



TEMPERATURE. 



The instrument is shown in figure 4. The thermometer T is attached rigidly to an 

 aluminium back 25 cm. wide and 225 cm. long. The latter is pivoted at F to a solid 



is^p^jaiiiRtiimgRiik^^g 



- -K 



Fiu. 4. Sling Tlierniouietei-. 



aluminium handle 22-5 cm. long in such a way that by gripi^ing the handle near the end 

 the thermometer can be made to revolve rapidly around F by a slight circular motion of 

 the wrist. 



The back K is hinged by means of a piece of raw hide at M so that after use the 

 back folds over the handle, in which a groove E, D has beeji cut to take the thermometer. 

 When closed and the back secured by the shding catch A (made very large so that it can 

 be opened and closed with the hand in mitts), the thermometer is enclosed in a strong 

 metal box and it is practically impossible to break no matter how roughly the instrument 

 is handled. 



It was the oiiginal intention to have the handles made of wood, but as it was found 

 that these would be very expensive and aluminium handles could be cast at a very small 

 cost, all the instruments we took, with one exceiition, were made of metal. These were quite 

 satisfactory in all except the lowest temperatures, but when the temperature was below - 40°F. 

 it became painful to hold the instrument for the time necessary to swing it to obtain 

 a correct reading, even when wearing the thickest mitts. The one instrument having a 

 wooden handle was perfect and was used by Bowers throughout the Polar journey, until, 

 when very near the end, it was broken, jHobably as a consequence of the weak state in 

 which Bowers then was. 



It was usual during sledging to take meteorological observations each time camp was 

 made and broken. Thus normally observations were taken three times a day : 



(«) In the morning just before the march for the day commenced. 



(b) Near midday, during the lunch halt. 



(c) In the evening after the tent had been erected and while the evening meal was 



being prepared. 



