372 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



the greatest range of the haromcter between the 1st 

 of April and the close of July, ohserved within the 

 Arctic circle during the twelve years, was 2.54 

 inches. It may be observed, however, that I have 

 never seen the mercury lower than 28.75 to the 

 northward of the 71st degree of latitude ; so that 

 the above range in the months of April to July, 

 must be very uncommon. The greatest range of 

 the barometer observed in the month of April du- 

 ring seven years, was from 28.03 to 30.48, or 2.45 

 inches ; the greatest range in May during 12 years, 

 was from 29.23 to 30.57, or 1.34 inches; the 

 greatest range in June during 10 years, was from 

 29.25 to 30.37, or 1.12 inches; and the greatest 

 range observed in July during six years, was from 

 29.30 to 30.30, or 1 inch. The average range in 

 April is about 1.30 inches ; in May 0.94, in June 

 0.79, and in July 0.72. 



The changes in the pressure of the atmosphere, 

 in the spring of the year, as indicated by the baro- 

 meter, are not only great and rapid, but frequently 

 portentous. I never knew the barometer mark a 

 pressure of less than 29 inches, without its being 

 followed or accompanied by a gale of wind, either 

 at the place of observation, or in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of it ; and in the course of my ob- 

 servations of the oscillations of the mercury during 

 sixteen successive voyages, not above five or six 

 storms have, I think, occurred, which were not pre- 



