CHAPTER III. Howard's Table of the Climate of London, 1819-20.-Recurring Periods.-Early Winter.-Thermometer at zero. -Thunder Storm.-Abstract of Meteorological Table at Melville Island, 1819-20.-Analysis of, and abundant evidence of Recurring Periods.-The Temperature at Melville Island.-Commencement of Winter.—Cutting a Canal through the Ice.—Frost Smoke.—Effects of severe Cold on the Human Body.-S.E. wind.-Warmth of.-Christmas Day.-Progress of the Season.-End of Winter, 24th May.-Range of Summer Temperature.-Light at Melville Island during the absence of the Sun for eighty-four days.—Rapid increase of the Light, to continued light of one hundred and fifty days.-The great amount of Light at the Pole and in the Polar Regions.-Its assumed Effect and Magnetic Connection.-The Aurora Borealis at London and Melville Island simultaneously.-Tendency to Periodicity; or recurring Monthly Periods of the Aurora.-Meteors, their connection with, or relationship to, the same agency as the Aurora.-Light in Heat and Electricity; their condition peculiar in the Polar Regions.-Theoretical or hypothetical views of the action of the Atmosphere in the Polar regions.-General view of the Climate of Melville Island.-Its former Tropical state, as indicated by the Geological remains, and formation of Coal, etc.-Utility of the Voyage, and establishment of Melville Island as the First Point of the N.W. Passage.-£5000 Parliamentary grant. CHAPTER III. IN reference to the table of the Climate of London in the years 1819-20, given in page 52, Mr. Howard remarks that the winter began with the deep snow of 21st 22nd October, 1819, and ended with the deep snow, followed by a thaw, February 21st, 22nd; the winter having lasted one hundred and twenty days, commencing sixty days before the shortest day and ending just sixty days after, having some mild periods intervening. The heavy snow of October 21st was preceded by a rapid fall of the barometer, which was the prelude of winter, and, indeed, it had all the appearance of mid-winter, with the exception of the foliage still remaining on the trees, which, mingled with the enormous burden of snow, presented a singular and grotesque appearance. Much damage was done by the breaking down of large limbs from fruit and forest trees in all directions. The swallows added to the picturesque scenery by flying about in all directions amid the snow. |