CLIMATE OF THE FAR NORTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XVI, 9 October 1897, Page 508

CLIMATE OF THE FAR NORTH.

Not the least interesting of the many results of Nansen’s expedition are the records of meteorological observations that were continued most uninterruptedly for the better part of three years and which throw distinct light upon the climatic conditions of the far north. These show, says the Indianapolis News, what had already been well suspected by scientists, that so far as a minimum temperature is concerned the highest northern latitudes are more favourably situated than many regions lying full fifteen or twenty degrees (approximately 1,000-1,400 miles) farther to the south. The lowest reading of Nansen’s thermometer, registered on board the * Pram,* was 61 *5 degrees Fahrenheit, or some twelve to fifteen degrees higher than the minimum noted by the British polar expedition of 1875-76, and eight degrees above the minimum of Kane. The lowest winter temperature recorded by Mr Peary was 53 degrees Fahrenheit. In strange contrast to this in itself sufficiently severe temperature are the rigours of certain less favoured localities lying to the south. Thus, in the Kara Sea, which lies between Nova Zembla and Siberia, and whose centre is approximately crossed by the seventy-third parallel of latitude, a temperature of 61 degrees is by no means uncommon, and the sea, partly from this cause and partly from the fact that it is largely choked with ice, has justly received the name of the * ice cellar * of Eurasia.

“Dolly” Davenport, the actor, is no more this time sure. Once upon a time his death was reported to have taken place at New Orleans. His aged mother, residing at Stamford, Ct., at once sent a despatch to the proprietor of the Academy of Music, saying, “Please send on my son’s remains.” The despatch being turned over to “Dolly,” he at once repaired to the telegraph office and penned the following reply: “Dear mother, I will bring on my remains in about two weeks.- —‘Dolly.’ ”