26o THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [July 



' We decided in London that the best position to carry the 

 large quantity which we required was on the upper deck, and 

 consequently we had a number of tanks of considerable 

 capacity constructed to fit into odd spaces where they would 

 be least likely to obstruct the working of the ship. In this 

 manner we managed to find room for over 1,500 gallons, which is 

 now served out under the care of the engine-room department. 



' Our luckiest find was perhaps the right sort of lamp in 

 which to burn this oil. Fortunately an old Arctic explorer, 

 Captain Egerton, presented me with a patent lamp in which 

 the draught is produced by a fan worked by clockwork 

 mechanism, and no chimney is needed. One could imagine 

 the great mortality there would be in chimneys if we were 

 obliged to employ them, so that when, on trial, this lamp was 

 found to give an excellent light, others of the same sort were 

 purchased, and we now use them exclusively in all parts of the 

 ship with extremely satisfactory results. We also have on 

 board a goodly number of candles, which are served out as 

 occasion requires ; but over both oil and candles it is necessary 

 to keep a very tight hold, as people are inclined to be extra- 

 ordinarily wasteful. 



' The necessity of heating the magnetic huts was not 

 included in our estimate, and is therefore an unexpected 

 drain on our resources ; but apart from this our expenditure 

 of both oil and candles is a great deal too large at present, and 

 everyone has been warned that in case of a second winter the 

 allowance will be largely curtailed. Although I realise that 

 we are going too strong in this respect, I have not the heart to 

 cut things down at present ; the probability is we shall only do 

 one winter ; why not let it be as comfortable as possible ? It 

 is in the nature of a gamble, but if the worst comes to the 

 worst, we can always fall back on blubber.' 



It was perhaps a fortunate oversight that in the general 

 comfort of our situation with regard to light we gave no 

 thought to the adaptation of a still brighter illuminant which lay 

 within our reach in the shape of acetylene. For when it became 

 evident that we should have to spend a second winter in the 



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