
          the like. I have two thermometers, which
agree almost exactly, & 3 or 4 others are
near me, which give about the same. The
weather is clear, still, [dry?], almost cloudless,
were the wind much, it would be awful indeed.
I see that Boston Harbor is frozen over, & I hope
you are well frozen about N. York. Will you
expect the like? Why, Parry found his greatest cold
only -56°, & that for only a few hours. What
will the folks that expect much melioration of [climate?]
think? I have no doubt, the expectation is
foolish.

On the conducting power of water,
you recollect the expt. of Murray in a [?]
of ice. Now, if the water was below 40°, & it
would be at 32°, with the ice, the water heated
at the surface would be [?] than that [crossed out: below]
at 32°, & therefore sink & raise the [Therm.?],
so that the expt. is wholly deceptious.

Give my regards to Dr. Gray, & say,
that I will do all I can for him. I will
look over & see how many carices I have,
soon as the cold is off so that I can do it,
now I can not, as my Herbarium is not
in my hands.

With high respect Your Friend

C. Dewey

Dr. J. Torrey
        