Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/105

] inches of water in it, was 58º.8. From these facts we may be led to conclude the mean temperature for the year will be found to be very nearly 59º.

This is, however, a point of considerable importance to have determined accurately, and the observations should be continued throughout several years before this can be accomplished. In looking over the hourly observations that were made by the officers of the Erebus and Terror, during the ninety-one days from which the above results have been obtained, I perceive that the mean temperature for the whole period would have been arrived at with very great accuracy by a single daily observation, either at 8.30 or 7 ; and I doubt not the mean temperature for the year could be ascertained to within very small limits of error, by a regular register of the temperature at either or both of those hours, as might best suit the convenience of observers.

Besides the great difference of ten degrees of temperature, the quantity of rain which fell during the above interval, exactly five times the amount which falls in the spring, and three inches more than falls during the whole year in England, is very remarkable, and well deserving the attention of the agriculturist.

It is true this quantity differs materially from that given by Dr. Dieffenbach, being more than double the amount of that which fell during the same months of the same year at Port Nicholson; and he further states, that the whole quantity