1902] GORGEOUS SUNLIGHT EFFECTS 293 



if, as we suppose, it is a discharge of the inland- ice, and if it 

 continues as we saw it at the end, it is certain to form a most 

 formidable obstacle to our western exploration. 



' Finally, from the vantage point of Crater Hill one can 

 now obtain an excellent bird's-eye view of our own snug winter 

 quarters. Even from this distance the accumulation of snow 

 which has caused us so much trouble can be seen ; the ship 

 looks to be half-buried, and a white mantle has spread over the 

 signs of our autumn labours and over the masses of refuse 

 ahead of the ship. Hodgson's biological shelters show as faint 

 shadowed spots, and numerous sharp black dots show that our 

 people are abroad and that work is being pushed ahead. 



' Over all the magnificent view the sunlight spreads with 

 gorgeous effect after its long absence ; a soft pink envelops the 

 western ranges, a brilliant red gold covers the northern sky ; 

 to the north also each crystal of snow sparkles with reflected 

 light. The sky shows every gradation of light and shade ; 

 little flakes of golden sunlit cloud float against the pale blue 

 heaven, and seem to hover in the middle heights, whilst far 

 above them a feathery white cirrus shades to grey on its unlit 

 sides. 



' Returning to the floes about one o'clock, inspired by the 

 scenes which we had just witnessed, we informed the men that 

 the sun could now be seen from Hut Point. To our astonish- 

 ment there was little or no enthusiasm. Everyone seemed 

 extremely pleased to hear it was there, and glad to think that 

 it had kept its appointment so punctually ; but, after all, they 

 had seen the sun a good many times before, and in the next 

 few months they were likely to see it a good many times again, 

 there was no object in getting excited about it ; so a few set 

 off at a run for the point, some followed at a walk, as it seemed 

 the right thing to do, but a good number remained on board 

 and had their dinner. It is perhaps as well that we do not all 

 take our pleasures in the same way or rejoice in the same 

 sentiments, and, at any rate, it is evident that those who can 

 so passively observe the coming day cannot have been deeply 

 affected by the vanishing night.' 



