336 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Sept. 



a large breast-pocket was very generally adopted. It was here 

 that in hard times by day one dried one's night socks, and by 

 night those which one had worn during the day. Besides this, 

 one's pockets contained a collection of miscellaneous articles : 

 a knife, a match-box, goggles, a whistle, and odds and ends 

 such as string, thongs, and so forth. 



Braces were another matter on which there was difference 

 of opinion. Some thought them indispensable, but I, with 

 others, found that a leather belt served all needful purposes in 

 this respect. 



But one of the most important parts of our sledging- 

 costume was the complete outer suit of thin gaberdine, a 

 material manufactured by Messrs. Burberry for use in many 

 climates. It purports to be water-tight, but of this we had 

 little chance of judging ; we required it only to keep out the 

 keen edge of the wind and the drifting snow, and for this it 

 was admirably adapted. 



We found it very desirable that this suit should be very 

 easily put on or off. On fine days it was convenient to march 

 without it ; but when the wind sprang up or the sky looked 

 threatening it was wise to don it at once. But to construct a 

 suit which had this desirable quality and at the same time 

 was impervious to snowdrift was by no means easy. The 

 suit consisted of a blouse, breeches, and leggings, but whether 

 the leggings should be attached to the breeches, and how 

 exactly the neck, sleeves, and other parts of the blouse should 

 be fitted were matters of keen controversy, eventually decided 

 according to individual taste. It is impossible, therefore, to 

 give any very definite opinion as to the best form for these 

 garments ; subject to their being easy to put on and off, one 

 great thing is that they should fit as closely as possible about 

 the neck, wrists, and ankles, and that there should be no 

 admittance for snowdrift between the blouse and trousers. 

 It is almost equally important that there should be as few 

 creases as possible, especially about the legs, as the snow 

 which lodges in these is bound to be brought into the tent. 



The parts of the body which need the most careful protec- 



