480 APPENDIX. 



anticipated the case, knowing how deeply it feels the liberal assistance 

 and great interest evinced by all the societies and distinguished men 

 of Great Britain, to promote and aid this, our first undertaking in the 

 great cause of science and usefulness ; and I must add the pleasure it 

 gives to me personally, to be able to return, though in a small degree, 

 the great obligation I myself feel under to you, and many others, the 

 promoters of your undertaking. 



Winds. — The winds for the first fortnight of our time, to the east- 

 ward of longitude 140° E., were from the northward and westward, 

 light generally, accompanied occasionally with clear weather for 

 hours, and again with dense fogs of short duration, with a long swell 

 from the same quarter. 



After passing longitude 140° E., or to the westward of it, we 

 experienced fine weather, with southeast winds and occasional snow- 

 squalls, lasting but ten or fifteen minutes, and a dry, healthy 

 atmosphere. 



The barometer, during our stay on the coast, was always indicative 

 of wind by its depression, and was a true guide. Its mean standing 

 was 28 in. The temperature surprised me : we seldom, if ever, had 

 it above 30°, even in the sun at mid-day, and I do not think that three 

 times it was found above 35°. 



Gales come on very suddenly, and are always attended with snow, 

 sleet, and thick fogs, rendering it extremely hazardous ; for one must 

 be found, when they do come, more or less surrounded with ice- 

 islands. They sometimes last for thirty-six hours. After they set in, 

 you may calculate that they will blow strong for at least half that 

 time. The nearer you are to the land, the more violent they are, 

 though not of such long duration. Fine weather usually precedes 

 them, and we found them to happen, and the weather to be more 

 changeable near the full and change, although I am no believer in 

 the lunar influences upon the weather. 



Currents. — During the whole of our stay along the icy coast, we 

 found no perceptible current by the reckoning and current log. 

 During a gale of wind I was induced to believe that some existed, 

 from the short sea that was formed, thinking there was more than was 

 to be expected. Tides on such an extent of coast there undoubtedly 

 must be, but of little strength, or we should have perceived them. 



In many of the icy bays we were stationary for a sufficient time to 

 perceive them if they had been of any magnitude, and where the 

 current was repeatedly tried. 



