182 



AKCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



person it seemed no colder than at the commencement of the sea- 

 son, when the thermometer indicated 32° above 0. But let a 

 smart breeze spring up coming from the N.W., then how like hot 

 iron it will burn ! The weather was such that, unless we soon had 

 snow, the ice would freeze thick and solid throughout the regions. 

 Snow upon the ice serves to keep it warm, the same as snow on 

 the ground in the Northern States of America. 



In my journal at this date I find as follows : "I have just been 

 out walking and running, exposing myself, my face and hands, to 

 the cold air. A light breeze prevailing from N.W. * I am confi- 

 dent there is something yet to be discovered relative to air and 

 cold. The human system is not such a liar as three excellent 

 thermometers I have would make it, if I gave full credence to 

 their story this morning. My three thermometers say 20° below 

 zero, and yet far greater exposure now than at other times, with a 

 higher register of temperature, leads to no unpleasant results. I 

 am aware moisture in the air makes a great difference as affecting 

 the human system ; but a fact is a fact. The cold air from the 

 same direction — equally charged with aqueous matter at different 

 times — shows a difference of ten to twenty degrees in the ther- 

 mometer; and yet the air at the lowest temperature affects the 

 human system less than the highest. 



" December 20th, 5 30 A.M., thermometer —5°, barometer 30. 

 200. Wind very light, N.W. Yet there must be a storm prevailing 

 not far from us, as a tremendous roar of waters and cracking of 

 ice comes from the direction of Davis's Straits. The ice around 

 the shore of this harbor is constantly ' singing,' indicating that a 

 heavy sea is now affecting us even here. * * * 7 A.M., the 

 wind went round to the N.E., when it commenced snowing ; ther- 

 mometer 4°, barometer 30.100. At 10 P.M. we had the thermom- 

 eter 14° above zero, barometer 30.050, wind JST.E., blowing a gale, 

 the ice breaking up in Field Bay, and also in our harbor. 



" Friday, December 21st. Thermometer 21° above zero, barom- 

 eter 30.012. Wind light from east. The bay is nearly clear of 

 ice. What little there is fastens up our harbor. The weather is 

 too warm for the igloos ; they have commenced dripping. If the 

 like continues, down will come snow-houses. 



" Saturday, December 22d. The thermometer is actually +321°; 

 barometer 30.100. Wind N.E. During the night considerable 

 rain fell. The natives are in sad plight. There has been not ex- 

 actly a conflagration in the Esquimaux village, but disruption, and 



