THE ARCTIO FOX, HARE, AND RAVEN. 109 was nearly pure white till the month of May, when he shed his winter coat and became of his usual chocolate colour. Only three hares (Lepus Variabilis) were killed, weighing from six to eight pounds. Their fur was extremely thick, soft, and of the most beautiful whiteness imaginable. In the spring they changed to brown. The raven (Corvus Corax), was found in the most northern parts of the arctic regions, and a pair of them took up their winter residence in the high cliffs of Port Bowen, and occasionally approached the ships for food. Winter produced no effect whatever on their dark and glossy plumage; their black was permanent and enduring, and afforded a striking contrast of colour to all around; except that they were frequently observed to have a white ring round the neck, caused by the accumulated encrustments of the vapour of their breath freezing on their plumage, and giving them a very singular appearance, thus decked with a necklace of ice. These intruding notes forgive. There was little life in this desolate and unproductive place, and the temperature of the artic fox was 116°. The ptarmigan only 102°. The temperature of the birds being below that of the animal, which is contrary to the general law. And we cannot more becomingly take leave of these British navigators in the polar regions, than in the honourable testimony that Captain Parry renders to the memory of the earlier voyagers, whose works and 110 THE NOBLE CREW OF ARCTIC NAVIGATORS. labours are the productions of men of no common stamp, who have described and pourtrayed with faithfulness and accuracy every appearance of nature, and with such simplicity, as unequivocally bears the impress of truth. And their observations and researches are among the standards of scientific excellence. But one cannot less admire the intrepidity, perseverance, and skill, with which they encountered the greatest difficulties, and by undaunted courage, and Herculean labours, overcame them. They, indeed, claim our highest admiration and respect, and deserve to be ranked among the noblest of our countrymen. Persevering in difficulty, unappalled by danger, and patient under distress, they scarcely ever use the language of complaint, much less of despair; and sometimes, when all human hope seems at its lowest ebb, they furnish the most beautiful examples of that firm reliance on a merciful and superintending Providence, which is the only rational source of true fortitude in man. We may well exclaim with all the enthusiasm of Purchas, "How shall I admire your heroicke courage, ye marine worthies, beyond all names of worthiness." CHAPTER V. The year 1826 at London.-Table showing the Recurring Periods.-The Wind a great element of the Weather; its accordance with the Instruments.— Madeira, type of Zodiacal region, a responding area with England.—Table of the year 1826 at Madeira, and its Recurring Periods.-Mean Barometer and temperature at London and Madeira.-The Orange and the Camellia types of a Winter Climate.-Reciprocating action between. Madeira and London.-Thermometer at Fort Franklin, 1826, and its Recurring Periods -Table of year 1834, by Mr. Whistlecraft, and its Recurring Periods.— Table of the year 1834, at Newfoundland, and its Recurring Periods.-Climate of Newfoundland.-Newfoundland and England Responding and Corresponding Atmospheric Areas.—Magnetical and Meteorological Observations at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, for the year 1845.-Table of year 1845, and its Recurring Periods.-Mean Barometer and Thermometer and their Recurring Periods. — Extraordinary Observations on the Winter of 1845, and its Critical Days.-Mean Barometer and Thermometer of the Months of 1845.-The Recurring Periods of the Dew Point.-The Recurring Periods of the Declination Magnet, and the Recurring Periods of the Vertical Force Magnet. Observations on the Declination of the Magnetic Needle, and on the Electricity of the Atmosphere.-Conclusion of the Evidence adduced in favour of the Recurring Monthly Periods of the Atmosphere. CHAPTER V. THE glorious summer of 1826, in England, was distinguished by glowing and continued heat, and a small amount of rain-eleven inches from March to August inclusive a period of six months. The harvest was extremely early, the wheat being cut and finished almost in July. Some inconvenience was experienced, and an unusual number of complaints made from week to week of wells and ponds dry, cattle suffering from the prolonged and serious drought, as it was termed. Famine and pestilence were among the unbecoming prognostications, and the tropical temperature was not spoken of with propriety, nor received with favour. The moors were on fire, sheep walks destroyed, the meadows were dusty, and hay was a short crop. The temperature of the open air was 125°, and some persons lost their lives in the hay fields from the power of the sun. Some severe thunder-storms were the attendants of the heat; and the rattling hail and ice of |