WINDPROOF STOCKINGS 357 



gets into a perspiration, and spoils the clothes. Besides 

 the breeches and anorak of light wind-cloth, he made 

 stockings of the same material. I assumed that these 

 stockings worn among the other stockings we had on 

 would have an insulating effect. Opinions were greatly 

 divided on this point; but I must confess in common 

 with my four companions on the Polar journey that I 

 would never make a serious trip without them. They 

 fulfilled all our expectations. The rime was deposited 

 on them freely, and was easily brushed off. If they got 

 wet, it was easy to dry them in almost all weathers; 

 I know of no material that dries so quickly as this 

 windproof stuff. Another thing was that they pro- 

 tected the other stockings against tears, and made them 

 last much longer than would otherwise have been the 

 case. 



As evidence of how pleased we who took part in the 

 long sledge journey were with these stockings, I may 

 mention that when we reached the depot in 80 S. on 

 the homeward trip, be it noted ; that is, when we looked 

 upon the journey as over we found there some bags 

 with various articles of clothing. In one of these were 

 two pairs of windproof stockings the bag presumably 

 belonged to an opponent of the idea and it may be 

 imagined that there was some fun. We all wanted 

 them all, without exception. The two lucky ones each 

 seized his pair and hid it, as if it was the most costly 

 treasure. What they wanted with them I cannot guess, 



