Ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc, 16th-18th of 9th month September, 1834 / By Martin Barry, M.D.

  • Barry, M. (Martin), 1802-1855.
Date:
[1835]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc, 16th-18th of 9th month September, 1834 / By Martin Barry, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    - 17.052 inches Eng., suspended, and screened | by the incasing wood from the sun’s rays; the attached thermometer indicating 32° F. : a breeze blowing from the south. De Saussure found the boiling point of water at the summit of Mont Blanc to be 68°.993 R. (= 187°.234 F.) Naturally wishing to repeat this interesting experiment, I had a fire lighted in a chauffer, provided for the purpose. With the aid of bellows, our materials, wood and charcoal, were kindled with less trouble than had been anticipated (Couttet assuring me that this had never been done before).* In a culinary utensil of water, in full ebullition, { immersed a thermometer, which I had pro- cured at Chamonix, (my own thermometer having been broken), and carefully observed the height of the mercury when it ceased to rise. I am sorry, however, that I am prevented from here inserting the temperature indicated. The scale was found to be loose, and the graduation very * I have since found that De Saussure had a charcoal fire made on the summit ; but finding it very difficult to support it, he used it only for the purpose of melting snow for a beverage. A spirit-lamp was em- ployed by him for the boiling of water. Of the charcoal he says, thats without the unceasing application of bellows, “ i s’étoignoit au moment méme.”