But the two salespersons running the cash registers responded with an immediate "yes."

Environmental experts said that the current heat wave is far less damaging than last summer's. Although two heat-related deaths were reported Wednesday in Quincy, the shorter duration of this heat wave has put less strain on area residents, according to Dr. Peter J. Zuromskis, a clinical advisor to environmental health and safety at University Health Services (UHS).

And Marcia L. Spink of the federal Environmental Protection Agency said that although the summer's increased smog had pushed ozone levels above the recommended safety limits in many New England states, Boston thus far has had few violations.

Zuromskis said that although UHS treated several heat-related cases last year, few have been reported this year.

"I think the biggest problem at UHS is that our air conditioning isn't working," said Zuromskis. "But that's just endemic to the functioning of Harvard."

Harvard Hot Spots Location  Temperature Harvard Square  99oF. Adams House E-Entry  92 Claverly Hall, fifth floor  114 Weld Hall, fifth floor  94 Widener Library stacks  94 Pusey Library  76 Lamont Library  76 Stone steps outside Lamont  112 President's house, 17 Quincy st.  84 Steamiest corner of the Harvard Union kitchen  110 Production shop at The Crimson  92

Measurements were taken between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. yesterday.