194 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [May 



Oats, of which we have two qualities, also very good work- 

 ing food — our white quality much better than the brown. 



Our trainer went on to explain the value of training horses, 

 of getting them ' balanced ' to pull with less effort. He owns 

 it is very difficult when one is walking horses only for exercise, 

 but thinks something can be done by walking them fast and 

 occasionally making them step backwards. 



Oates referred to the deeds that had been done with horses 

 by foreigners in shows and with polo ponies by Englishmen 

 when the animals were trained; it is, he said, a sort of gym- 

 nastic training. 



The discussion was very instructive and I have only noted 

 the salient points. 



Thursday, May i8. — The wind dropped in the night; to-day 

 it is calm, with slight snowfall. We have had an excellent 

 football match — the only outdoor game possible in this light. 



I think our winter routine very good, I suppose every leader 

 of a party has thought that, since he has the power of altering 

 it. On the other hand, routine in this connection must take 

 into consideration the facilities of work and play afforded by 

 the preliminary preparations for the expedition. The winter 

 occupations of most of our party depend on the instruments 

 and implements, the clothing and sledging outfit, provided by 

 forethought, and the routine is adapted to these occupations. 



The busy winter routine of our party may therefore be 

 excusably held as a subject for self-congratulation. 



Friday, May 19. — Wind from the north in the morning, 

 temperature comparatively high (about — 6°). We played foot- 

 ball during the noon hour — the game gets better as we improve 

 our football condition and skill. 



In the afternoon the wind came from the north, dying away 

 again late at night. 



In the evening Wright lectured on ' Ice Problems.' He had 

 a difficult subject and was nervous. He is young and has never 

 done original work; is only beginning to see the importance of 

 his task. 



He started on the crystallisation of ice, and explained with 

 very good illustrations the various forms of crystals, the manner 

 of their growth under different conditions and different tempera- 

 tures. This was instructive. Passing to the freezing of salt 



