Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

SEASONS — TEMPERATURE. 245 In different years seasons vary so much, that those who have been longest about the islands hardly venture to predict what weather will be found during any particular month. All they say is, that January, February, and March, though warmest, are the windiest months, and that May, June, and July, though cold, are much less stormy.* I must here add one word in favour of the barometer, or sympiesometer. Every material change in the weather is fore- told by these invaluable instruments, if their movements are tolerably understood by those who consult them, and if tliey are frequently observed. Mr. Low said to me, " The baro- meter is worth any thing in these countries " (alluding to Tierra del Fuego, as well as the Falklands) ; " some say they dislike it because it is always so low, and foretelling bad weather ; but how often do we have any other ?" They must, somehow, think the barometer ominous, and overlook the use of the omen. The temperature may be considered equable ; it is never hot, neither is it ever very cold ; but the average is low, and in consequence of frequent rain and wind, a really moderate degree of cold is much more noticed than would probably be the case if the weather were dry and serene. Since 1825 Falirenheit*'s thermometer has only once been observed so low as 22° in the shade, at mid-day, and it has been but once above 80° in the shade. Its ordinary range is between 30° and 50° in the winter, and from 40° to 65° in the summer. Ice has not been known to exceed an inch in thickness ; snow seldom lies upon the low lands, or at any period exceeds two inches in depth. Although rain is so frequent, it does not continue falling for any considerable time ; and as evaporation is rapid, in consequence of so much wind, there are no un- wholesome exhalations ; indeed, the climate is exceedingly healthy, and no disease whatever has been hitherto contracted, in consequence of its influence, excepting ordinary colds and coughs, or rheumatic affections, brought on by vmusual expo- Mr. Low scarcely ever found two succeeding' years alike, as to wind and weather, during the corresponding seasons.