SEASONS — TEMPERATURE. 



245 



In different years seasons vary so much, that those who have 

 been longest about the islands hardly venture to predict what 

 weather will be found during any particular month. All they 

 say is, that January, February, and March, though warmest, 

 are the windiest months, and that May, June, and July, though 

 cold, are much less stormy.^ 



I must here add one word in favour of the barometer, or 

 sympiesometer. Every material change in the weather is fore- 

 told by these invaluable instruments, if their movements are 

 tolerably understood by those who consult them, and if they 

 are frequently observed. Mr. Low said to me, " The baro- 

 meter is worth any thing in these countries" (alluding to 

 Tierra del Fuego, as well as the Falklands) ; " some say they 

 dislike it because it is always so low, and foretelling bad 

 weather ; but how often do we have any other ?" They must, 

 somehow, think the barometer ominous, and overlook the use of 

 the omen. 



The temperature may be considered equable ; it is never 

 hot, neither is it ever very cold ; but the average is low, and 

 in consequence of frequent rain and wind, a really moderate 

 degree of cold is much more noticed than would probably be 

 the case if the weather were dry and serene. 



Since 1825 Fahrenheit's thermometer has only once been 

 observed so low as 22° in the shade, at mid-day, and it has been 

 but once above 80° in the shade. Its ordinary range is between 

 30° and 50° in the winter, and from 40° to 65° in the summer. 

 Ice has not been known to exceed an inch in thickness ; snow 

 seldom lies upon the low lands, or at any period exceeds two 

 inches in depth. Although rain is so frequent, it does not 

 continue falling for any considerable time ; and as evaporation 

 is rapid, in consequence of so much wind, there are no un- 

 wholesome exhalations ; indeed, ,the climate is exceedingly 

 healthy, and no disease whatever has been hitherto contracted, 

 in consequence of its influence, excepting ordinary colds and 

 coughs, or rheumatic affections, brought on by unusual expo- 



* Mr. Low scarcely ever found two succeeding- years alike, as to wind 

 and weather, during- the corresponding seasons. 



