270 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



axe and removes with a shovel. It seems odd for a 

 man to dig his room out at the end of winter, and such 

 a fact might lead one to suppose that I had had much 

 discomfort. On the contrary, I have been comfortable 

 to a greater degree than I had any reason to expect 

 under the circumstances. 



As our days lengthen the auroral displays become 

 less frequent and less brilliant. It is impossible to as- 

 sign any particular cause for their apjDearance, or dis- 

 cover any particular effect following them. They have 

 been brilliant in intensel}^ cold weather, and also in 

 mild weather, and again they have been faint under 

 similar temperature ; they have existed in all a\ inds 

 and in calms, at full and change of the moon, when the 

 ice has been breaking up and Avhen it has been motion- 

 less ; in fine, under all sorts and conditions of circum- 

 stances. The only prerequisite is a dry atmosphere. 

 It has been said that these auroras are not seen over 

 the ice. All that I can say about that is, that fre- 

 quently we could see nothing but ice during displays, 

 although there may have been water somewhere. 



February 2Sth, Sahirday. — Pumping as usual, and 

 using the steam-cutter's boiler for distillinfr when not 

 making steam to run the main engine bilge-pump. 



Beautifully clear and pleasant weather. Our dogs 

 lie and bask in the sun's rays, and seem to enjoy it, 

 although their wool is stiff with frost. Their hardi- 

 hood is immense. Lying right out on the floe night 

 after night, they seem to keep warm enough, and at the 

 same time throw out sufficient heat to thaw a hole un- 

 der and around them an inch or more in depth. Ash 

 heaps and dirt heaps seem to be especially sought for. 

 Alliances are formed for their enjoyment, and the ap- 

 proach of an outside dog is the signal to clear for action. 



