Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/521

 APPENDIX. 491 NOTE XVII. Memorandum on the Climate op the Crimea by Mr Cattley, which was sent by Lord Raglan to the Home Government on the 23d of October 1854. The climate of the Crimea is subject to great changes from heat to cold ; but the weather, during the Avinter, is generally and almost always cold. During a period of thirteen years (from 1841 to 1854) only one winter was without any frost, and one with very little ; but the place of frost was supplied by rain, which fell in torrents at short intervals during the months of December, January, and February. The greatest degree of cold during this period was in the year 1846, when the thermometer marked at Kertch. 22° frost Reaumur ! and though the climate of Kertch may be somewhat colder than that of the south coast of the Crimea, or of the neighbourhood oi Sebastopol, stiU the degree of frost in these latter places was in that year from 18° to 19° Reaumur, and this accom- panied by a severe N.E. wind, and very often by driving snow, lasting for days and even for weeks. In such weather no human creature can possibly resist the cold during the night unless in a good house properly warmed, and in the day-time unless warmly dressed. The poorer class of inhabitants of the country, Tartars as well as Rus- sians, have sheepskin coats and caps, and their feet pro- tected by bandages of linen or woollen stockings under their long boots. The soldiers are always in barracks or in warm houses ; and the sentinels on guard are furnished with a large fur pelisse and fur galoches, which they slip on over their boots while on duty, and they have warm mitts or gloves for their hands. Further, the transitions from cold to heat, and vice versa, being often very sudden