Climate and Vegetation 33 c 
gravelly sand, 57°F.; and when placed in a snow-free, dry sand dune, 58°F. 
(the last record taken at 2 p.m.). On the five last days of the month the maxi- 
mum temperatures were not quite so high, ranging from 36° F. to 47°F., but the 
melting of the snow continued at a quick rate, aided by the eroding action of 
the now open creeks and smaller streams, resulting in the land becoming practic- 
ally free of snow. 
In the month of June, 1915, the minimum temperature did not rise above 
freezing until the 20th, it being then 32-7°F. As a result the vegetation was 
very backward. The first flowers of Sazxifraga oppositifolia were observed on 
June 9th, but as late as the 15th they were found with frostbitten petals. Still 
later in the month damage from frost was observed on Elymus mollis which, on 
June 24th, was noticed to have partly frostbitten leaves. Flower buds were 
observed on Oxyria digyna the last days of the month. The minimum tempera- 
ture for the month was 19-5°F., on June 6th, and the maximum 50-8°F. on 
June 23rd. In 1916, the weather was cold and windy every day through the 
first half of the month. The development of the vegetation was consequently 
delayed, and it was not until the middle of the month that flowers of the early 
Saxifraga oppositifolia became common. The minimum temperature for the 
month was 28°F., on June 5th, and the maximum 76°F., on June 22nd. 
The ups and downs in the weather even in June are well illustrated by the 
following observations. The first week of June, 1915, had maximum tempera- 
tures between 36°F. and 53°F., but strong winds and drifting snow retarded the 
development of the vegetation. On an excursion inland from the harbour it 
was observed that there was much snow on the ground. everywhere; it had 
melted a little only on the ridges and the smaller hummocks, but less so than 
nearer the sea. None of the ponds and lakes showed any melting yet. The 
mid-day sun made the first flowers of the year open up on June 9, when the 
temperature rose to 47°F., but subsequent colder and windy weather lasting to 
the middle of the month, with maximum temperatures between 36°F., and 45°F., 
and with occasional rain or a little snow, much retarded the coming of summer. 
It was noticed, however, that especially on the extensive mud flats at the bottom 
of the bays south of the harbour there was much melt-water in the shape of 
temporary pools and ponds. The surrounding smaller sand dunes were quite 
free of snow, but the sand was still wet. On the other hand, there had hardly 
been any definite progress in the melting of the snow inland since the beginning 
of the month, except in more elevated places; the moss tufts were as yet thawed 
only about one inch down. On June 17-18 the large creek at the harbour had 
beéome quite a stream of melt-water, running out over the bay ice and devouring 
it, and helped by the brooks coming down the surrounding slopes. The penin- 
sula where the house of the expedition was built was now mostly free of snow, 
the latter remaining only in depressions and at the foot of the slopes. On the 
sandy, snow-free slopes on the south side of the peninsula the ground which was 
free of vegetation was thawed up to 12 cm. down, only the surface being dry. 
Thermometer stuck into the sand showed, at 2.30 p.m. a temperature of 67°F., 
when protected from the wind, otherwise 38°F. The maximum temperatures 
of June 16-24, inclusive, were all between 43°F. and 51° F., and June 21-23, 
particularly, were real summer days. The last six days of June, however, 
had maximum temperatures from 39°F. to 44°F., with mostly overcast and 
unsettled weather. On June 28 some observations were made inland, west of 
the harbour. The land there was practically free of snow, which remained 
only at the foot of slopes and in depressions. All the ponds and lakes, with 
the exception of the three biggest ones, were completely ice-free and had reached 
their maximum extension. The shallow lake feeding the creek was open in 
the west, where the outlet is, and otherwise its ice was in an advanced stage of 
melting, with water on top and many loose cakes. The creek itself was quite 
open and had reached its maximum in water content and swiftness; the tempera- 
ture of the water at its margin was 35°F., with the air 38°F. at noon. The 
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