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My observations of the contraction of the wire during the coldest weather taken into the thermometer at 62°_ 64°_ and 65° Fahr. I found the contraction to be three inches to 210 feet, or six feet three inches to the mile
From some very imperfect observations made during the winter with common wrought iron I am led to believe that the large quantity of Electricity which is in the air during the winter months pervades iron to such an extent as to prevent it from becoming brittle as is usually the case in cold climates. However if this be true it will not prevent the contraction of the wire but will make it less liable to break when it tightens up in winter
I also made a few experiments with mercury which failed to freeze either hermetically or exposed to the air at a temperature of 43°-44°
- Fah'r but at 48° Fahr it congealed to a thick filling substance and at 58° and 62° Fahr. froze hard as lead.
  After giving up all hopes of nartes arriving to distribute poles and wire I used every possible means to get the Tchuctchees to haul them out but failed. They made various excuses some of them said they were afraid of the wire and others that their deer were not in a fit condition to do the work. I think the real cause was laziness.
We can never depend upon the Tchucthees as a body for laborers, but may occasionally find a few willing to work.