LOW THERMOMETER IN ANTARCTICA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19664, 6 July 1929, Page 5

LOW THERMOMETER IN ANTARCTICA.

BYRD PARTY HAPPIER INDOORS. (UXTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION— BY ELBCTEIC TZLEGKAPH —COPIBIGHT.) LBy Rosskll Owex—Copyrighted 1*26 by Now York Times Company and Louis "Post-Dispatch.''J BAY OF WHALES, July 3. The thermometer was at t>4 degrees below zero last night before it began to rise, and it was very cold so co. that standing outside the entrance of the house tunnel without a hat to uiufiie one's ears, the sound ot ones breathing was plainly audible. It one stood sideways to the wind so that the breath would blow past the ieeward ear there was distinguishable a taint ''swishing" bound like snow blowing along the surface in a strong wind. There was a momentary interval between the expulsion of the breath and the sound, which intensified the effect. There was no reason for believing the sound was caused by the breath itself leaving the lips, and one after another of those in the house went to experiment and verify this amusing phenomenon, but nobody lingered. Although it is possible to stand outside without extra clothing for a few moments, the cold quickly eats through and nips the nose, ears, and fingers, and drives one to a hasty retreat. There is a striking contrast between the temperature inside and that outside. It was about 62 degrees above zero in the house, while it was 63 below outdoors. That one can undergo such a violent change of temperature. even for a few moments, without extra protection, seems remarkable. The cold causes some interesting things to happen. Yesterday it was found that a can of kerosene left out in the snow tunnel near the entrance had frozen solid. It was brought into the hut. In New York kerosene is used to prevent automobile radiators from freezing.—Australian Press Association. [All Rights for Publication reserved throughout the World—Wireless to "New York Times."]