1853.] THE SHORTEST DAY. 79 



the foot. In the case before me I can only imagine the 

 surface snow to be supporting in the arc the warmer air 

 resulting from the radiating tendency beneath, which any 

 vibration would assist in breaking at the arc. On board 

 I have frequently watched footsteps from the ' Pioneer' to 

 the ship, and detected the sharp crack of the ice as the 

 party reached the gangway ; or, in olden phrase, " a bolt 

 cracked." At each operation of breaking the ice at the 

 fire-hole a similar noise is detected, and in my bed-place 

 is particularly perceptible. 



On the 18th 1 inspected the 'Pioneer' hospital, but 

 found her close, and not, to my senses, so completely 

 ventilated as the 'Assistance ;' odours from rope, tobacco, 

 etc., reminding one very much of the first night after 

 leaving a dockyard. On my return the clerk, by the 

 light on the floe, was able to read small print, but " love" 

 was the word he hit on. 



December 22. Our mid- winter is past, or the sup- 

 posed winter of England commences ; why so termed I 

 cannot conceive, as from the 1st of November until the 

 10th of March, or later, the actual cold continues : the 

 1 5th of January is nearer the true period ; however, to 

 us the shortest day, and, even with a diminished moon, 

 it is perceptibly lighter. This may arise from the sun's 

 rays to the southward being less obstructed by clouds ; 

 for the illuminated vault must, in some measure, be af- 

 fected, either by the absence or presence of vapour or 

 atmosphere at a sufficient elevation to reflect the light. 

 One decided proof of an intervening medium is the di- 

 minished brilliancy of the stars. 



December 24. Mighty preparations for the morrow; 



