TEMPERATURE. 101 



the same fact, which bears on the transportation of 

 boulders, and may interest geologists. During his 

 memorable residence on the shores of Repulse 

 Bay, he noticed several large boulders which were 

 partially exposed at low water. When the sea 

 froze they became engaged in the ice, and were 

 lifted with it from the bottom by the flood-tides. 

 The ice gaining at each tide in thickness beneath, 

 and losing above by superficial evaporation, the 

 boulders in process of time came to rest in pits 

 on its surface. 



In consequence of the extreme dryness of the 

 atmosphere in winter, most articles of English 

 manufacture made of wood, horn, or ivory, brought 

 to Rupert's Land, are shrivelled, bent, and broken. 

 The handles of razors and knives, combs, ivory 

 scales, and various other things kept in the warm 

 rooms, are damaged in this way. The human 

 body also becomes visibly electric from the dry- 

 ness of the skin. One cold night I rose from my 

 bed, and, having lighted a lantern, was going 

 out to observe the thermometer, with no other 

 clothing than my flannel night-dress, when, on 

 approaching my hand to the iron latch of the 

 door, a distinct spark was elicited. Friction of 

 the skin at almost all times in winter produced 

 the electric odour. 



In November the snow was deep enough for 



H 3 



