THE DEAD OF WINTER. 197 



the change of wind to S. W., and at midnight read 

 29-80. The temperature, which had gone up to plus 

 16°, fell rapidly 9° in one hour, and at midnight was 

 minus 8°. 



At eleven p. m. we had a very fine auroral display. 

 A wave of light crossed the zenith from the E. to 

 the W. horizon which pulsed regularly in its transit, 

 waving about, however, in its pulsations, like a long 

 streamer of bunting let go in a fresh wdnd. It is very 

 difficult to give a satisfactory description of these 

 things, and impossible to make a fair picture of them, 

 for no picture can show pulsations of waving light. It 

 requires actual sight to realize their appearance. I 

 have not been able thus far to connect their appear- 

 ance or non-appearance with any meteorological phe- 

 nomenon, or with any other unusual occurrence. 



December loth, Saturday. — We have been trjdng 

 regularly to get sights to determine our position, but 

 are prevented by the almost perpetual haze that inter- 

 venes, making a reflection in the mercury of the arti- 

 ficial horizon impossible. In the absence of the moon 

 we have to fall back upon Sumners by stars. Latitude 

 by Polaris is out of our reach on account of its great 

 altitude and the impossibility of getting it with sextant 

 and artificial horizon. 



December lith, Sunday. — K variety of winds and 

 weather to-day. At eleven A. m. made the usual Sun- 

 day inspection. Every part of the ship was in as good 

 order and condition as can be expected where our 

 cleaning is limited to scraping and an occasional wiping 

 up with cloths and warm water. As to dampness there 

 is cause for complaint. The cabin and ward-room are 

 dry and comfortable, the deck-house is damp, and in 

 places wet from the tracking in of slush and dirt from 



