230 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [June 



There was an excellent picture showing the find of sponges 

 on the Koettlitz Glacier. Heaps of large sponges were found 

 containing corals and some shells, all representative of present- 

 day fauna. How on earth did they get to the place where found? 

 There was a good deal of discussion on the point and no very 

 satisfactory solution offered. Cannot help thinking that there 

 is something in the thought that the glacier may have been 

 weighted down with rubble which finally disengaged itself and 

 allowed the ice to rise. Such speculations are interesting. 



Preparations for the start of the Crozier Party are now com- 

 pleted, and the people will have to drag 253 lbs. per man — a big 

 weight. 



Day has made an excellent little blubber lamp for lighting; 

 it has an annular wick and talc chimney; a small circular plate 

 over the wick conducts the heat down and raises the temperature 

 of combustion, so that the result is a clear white flame. 



We are certainly within measurable distance of using blubber 

 in the most effective way for both heating and lighting, and this 

 is an advance which is of very high importance to the future of 

 Antarctic Exploration. 



Tuesday, June 27, — The Crozier Party departed this morn- 

 ing in good spirits — their heavy load was distributed on two 

 9-feet sledges. Ponting photographed them by flashlight and 

 attempted to get a cinematograph picture by means of a flash 

 candle. But when the candle was ignited it was evident that the 

 light would not be sufficient for the purpose and there was not 

 much surprise when the film proved a failure. The three travel- 

 lers found they could pull their load fairly easily on the sea ice 

 when the rest of us stood aside for the trial. I'm afraid they 

 will find much more difficulty on the Barrier, but there was noth- 

 ing now to prevent them starting, and off they went. 



With helping contingent I went round the Cape. Taylor and 

 Nelson left at the Razor Back Island and report all well. Simp- 

 son, Meares and Gran continued and have not yet returned. 



Gran just back on ski; left party at 5^4 miles. Says Meares 

 and Simpson are returning on foot. Reports a bad bit of surface 

 between Tent Island and Glacier Tongue. It was well that the 

 party had assistance to cross this. 



This v/Inter travel Is a new and bold venture, but the right 

 men have gone to attempt it. All good luck go with them. 



