128 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Jan. 



the temperature fell to io° • shortly after, it again came from 

 the sea, and the temperature rose to 25°. Later, this change 

 of temperature with a shift of wind became still more marked, 

 and already we began to wonder what that great snow plain 

 would be like in winter if it produced this great fall in the 

 warmer summer air. Up to this time our clothing had been 

 little out of the ordinary, but we now found that standing 

 about on the bridge or sitting in the crow's-nest was chilly 

 work, and warmer garments were dug out of our various drawers 

 and lockers. 



Though we were several days steaming along this ice-wall, 

 the passage was by no means monotonous. Every few 

 hours some new variation showed itself : now a sharp inlet or 

 other irregularity of outline, now a more than ordinary alteration 

 in height, now a change in appearance showing a difference in 

 the length of time that the ice-face had been exposed ; and 

 throughout we could watch the gradual shoaling or deepening 

 of the sea-floor as shown by the sounding machine. My diary 

 is principally devoted to figures giving the definite data con- 

 cerning these matters ; but a few more general extracts may 

 serve to give an idea of our progress along the ice-wall from 

 day to day : 



'■January 24. — Barrier fell from 240 feet to 80, and later to 

 50, but gradually rose again in the evening to 90. Soundings 

 both over and under 400 fathoms. Barrier sometimes very 

 broken and rugged in outline. Passed some bergs and sharp 

 inlets. Noon, long. 176.45 E., progress 862 miles. In evening 

 weather became overcast with snow.' 



January 25. — Barrier fell in night to 30, gradually rose to 

 80 feet, when there was a sudden dip for 200 yards to 15 feet. 

 In afternoon irregular rise to 100 feet at midnight. Put sail 

 on the ship in morning watch, but, wind hauling ahead, 

 obhged to clew up. Passed over fifty icebergs in course of 

 the day, the first we have seen since leaving Cape Crozier. 

 They were mostly irregular in shape, but two, close to the 

 barrier, had evidently recently calved off that mass ; the line of 

 separation was very regular and even, and the bergs floated in 



