X.] THE WINTER DRESS. 359 



"wiuter clothes of the sort commonly used in Sweden, consisted of 

 the following articles of dress brought with us specially for use 

 in the high north : — 



1. An abundant stock of good woollen under-clothing. 



2. A carefully made blouse of sailcloth, provided with many 

 pockets, intended to be drawn over the ordinary seaman's dress 

 as a protection against wind and drifting snow. This proved to 

 be very suitable for the purpose for which it was intended, and 

 was much liked by the crew. 



3. A Lapp "pcsk" with leggings was not so often used, because 

 it was so warm that it was only with difficulty one could 

 walk with it any considerable distance. On the other hand, in 

 the case of winter journeys with dogs or reindeer it was 

 indispensable. 



4. A pair of very large ccmvas hoofs with leather soles. Inside 

 these was put -hay of Carex msicaria L. The foot itself was covered 

 with one or two pairs of stockings, above which there was a foot-strip 

 of felt. Our boots w^ere thus intermediate between the foot-covering 

 introduced by Parry for Ai'ctic journeys, and the hay-filled Iwmager 

 of the Lapps. All who used these canvas boots are unanimous 

 in thinking that they left nothing to desire. Even in the case 

 of extended excursions in wet snow they are to be preferred to 

 leather shoes ; for the latter become heavy and drenched with 

 water, and can with difficulty be dried in the open air in the 

 course of a night's rest. Canvas boots and the long hay in them 

 on the other hand are easily dried in a single night. They are 

 also light when wet, and in that state little prejudicial to health on 

 account of the change of air which the hay under the foot renders 

 possible. I therefore am of opinion that we are warranted in 

 tjivinar such boots the highest recommendation for winter 

 journeys and winter huntmg excursions, even m our own land. 



5. An Oresund ccqj and a loose felt hood (baschlik) of the same 

 sort as those which are used in the Russian army. I had bought 

 the baschliks in St. Petersburg on account of the Expedition. 



6. Fingerlcss gloves of sealskin and chamois, with an inside 

 lining of sheepskin and at the wrists bordered with long-haired 

 fur. They were commonly carried with a band from the neck, 

 as children are wont to carry their gloves. For outside work 

 these thick gloves were too inconvenient ; then fingerless 

 woollen mittens were used. 



7. Colotired spectacles, which were distributed to all the men 

 in the beginning of February. One must himself have lived in 

 the Polar regions during wiuter and spring, " after the return of 

 the sun," to understand how indispensable is such a protection 

 from the monotonous white light which then surrounds the eye 

 in every direction. The inexperienced, though warned, seldom 

 observe the necessary precautions, and commonly pay the penalty 



