I902] VIEW FROM OUR HILLS 291 



slightly to the east it can be seen from Crater Hill. In run • 

 ning towards the right slope of Erebus and gradually broaden- 

 ing to its foot-slopes, it sweeps out on either side a huge bay. 



' The eastern bay is filled with the perpetual level plain of 

 the fast barrier-ice ; scarce a vestige of bare rock is to be seen 

 in the vast extent of its coastline, and it would appear that 

 climatic conditions have rendered it a focus for snow, though 

 an area little swept by wind ; the mere view in this direction 

 suggests the idea, and the experience of the Terror sledge 

 party goes far to substantiate it. 



' The western bay is cleared of ice in the summer ; its 

 northern limit is marked by a bare rocky cape, and in a few 

 other spots on its coastline the bare rock stands boldly out. 

 Three black volcanic islets stand well within its shelter, and it 

 is to these that the open water has extended since the late 

 gales. This open water is now again frozen over, but the dark 

 colour of the young ice forms a strong contrast to the older 

 snow-covered surface, and this darker shade stretches to the 

 north-west beyond sight. 



' Looking to the eastward from Crater Hill, one has Pram 

 Point almost beneath one's feet, and one gets a good view of 

 the regular parallel ridges that fringe the coast ; beyond these 

 ridges stretches the immeasurable barrier surface, limited to 

 the eye by one long clear sweep of perfectly regular horizon 

 stretching from the eastern slopes of Terror through more 

 than 70° of arc to the eastern slope of White Island. Beyond 

 this long stretch of uniformity the eye can follow the sky-line 

 over the three comparatively low craters of the White Island, 

 till it dips once more for a short space to the horizontal, and 

 rises over the sharp steep end of the distant bluff. One is 

 now looking south, in the direction which involves most of 

 our hopes and fears ; and as one gazes on the light shades of 

 the distant snow-fields, one realises the impotence of specu- 

 lating on what may lie beyond, and grows ever more impatient 

 for the hour when we shall march forth with the high hope of 

 solving the mystery. 



* Leaving the south once more, the eye, following the 



