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As a means of still further fortifying our
results we have [since?] reliable observations
of the occultation of Saturn and one of
Mars. The observ.n of Feb. 5 was unique.
Noonday was intermediate between the immersion
and emersion of the planet, and the
mean of our standard thermometer showed a
temperature of -53º. The undulation of the
moons limit was very great, but the
agreement of my own and Mr. Sonntags re=
sults make the observation satisfactory.

This is I believe the lowest tepera=
ture as it is certainly the highest latitude
at which an occultation of a planet has
been observed. Mr. Sonntag informs me
that some of Hansteen's observations were
at a very high latitude and I believe that
Biot observed at [Bol'Seloy?] in Lat 72º.
But our own Winter observations were
made under conditions of temperature
greatly lower than our predecessors.

For Latitude we depend upon a
careful set of Solar altitudes - as well as
repeated by theodolite as well as
repeated sextant sights.

Althogether, aided by the excellent
as well learned eye of Mr. Sonntag
--- a thoroughly dependable transit
and Theodolite (x1). I am able to
claim for the astronomical determination
of our geographical position as great if
not a greater accuracy than those of any previous
Arctic Expedition

~

(x1) Note Parry could not use his transit at Melville
Transit kindly lent to me by Mr. McCues of Phil.
Theodolite placed at disposition by courtesy of
A. Dallas Bache of the coast survey.