I9II] EXCELLENT QUALITY OF STORES 91 



— a thoroughly stout well-roofed lean-to on the north side. 

 Nelson has a small extension on the east side and Simpson a 

 prearranged projection on the S.E. corner, so that on all sides 

 the main building has thrown out limbs. Simpson has almost 

 completed his ice cavern, light-tight lining, niches, floor and 

 all. Wright and Forde have almost completed the absolute hut, 

 a patchwork building for which the framework only was brought 

 — but it will be very well adapted for our needs. 



Gran has been putting ' record ' on the ski runners. Record 

 is a mixture of vegetable tar, paraffin, soft soap, and linseed 

 oil, with some patent addition which prevents freezing — this 

 according to Gran. 



P.O. Evans and Crean have been preparing sledges; Evans 

 shows himself wonderfully capable, and I haven't a doubt as 

 to the working of the sledges he has fitted up. 



We have been serving out some sledging gear and wintering 

 boots. We are delighted with everything. First the felt boots 

 and felt slippers made by Jaeger and then summer wind clothes 

 and fur mits — nothing could be better than these articles. 

 Finally to-night we have overhauled and served out two pairs 

 of finnesko (fur boots) to each traveller. They are excellent 

 In quality. At first I thought they seemed small, but a stiffness 

 due to cold and dryness misled me — a little stretching and all 

 was well. They are very good indeed. I have an idea to use 

 putties to secure our wind trousers to the finnesko. But indeed 

 the whole time we are thinking of devices to make our travelling 

 work easier. 



' We have now tried most of our stores, and so far we have 

 not found a single article that is not perfectly excellent in quality 

 and preservation. We are well repaid for all the trouble which 

 was taken in selecting the food list and the firms from which 

 the various articles could best be obtained, and we are showering 

 blessings on Mr. Wyatt's head for so strictly safeguarding our 

 interests in these particulars. 



' Our clothing is as good as good. In fact first and last, 

 running through the whole extent of our outfit, I can say with 

 some pride that there is not a single arrangement which I would 

 have had altered.' 



An Emperor penguin was found on the Cape well advanced 

 in moult, a good specimen skin. Atkinson found cysts formed 



