234 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [July 



bility of using the iron cross bar and snap heel strap of the 

 Huitfeldt on a suitable overshoe. 



Evans, P.O., has arisen well to the occasion as a boot maker, 

 and has just completed a pair of shoes which are very nearly 

 what we require. 



The soles have two thicknesses of seal skin cured with alum, 

 stiffened at the foot with a layer of venesta board, and raised 

 at the heel on a block of wood. The upper part is large enough 

 to contain a finnesko and is secured by a simple strap. A shoe 

 weighs 13 oz. against 2 lbs. for a single ski boot — so that shoe 

 and finnesko together are less weight than a boot. 



If we can perfect this arrangement it should be of the greatest 

 use to us. 



Wright has been swinging the pendulum in his cavern. Pro- 

 digious trouble has been taken to keep the time, and this object 

 has been immensely helped by the telephone communication be- 

 tween the cavern, the transit instrument, and the interior of the 

 hut. The timekeeper is perfectly placed. Wright tells me that 

 his ice platform proves to be five times as solid as the fixed 

 piece of masonry used at Potsdam. The only difficulty is the 

 low temperature, which freezes his breath on the glass window 

 of the protecting dome. I feel sure these gravity results are 

 going to be very good. 



The temperature has been hanging in the minus thirties all 

 day with calm and clear sky, but this evening a wind has sprung 

 up without rise of temperature. It is now -32°, with a wind 

 of 25 m.p.h. — a pretty stiff condition to face outside! 



Sunday, July 2. — There was wind last night, but this morning 

 found a settled calm again, with temperature as usual about 

 — 35°. The moon is rising again; it came over the shoulder 

 of Erebus about 5 p.m., in second quarter. It will cross the 

 meridian at night, worse luck, but such days as this will be 

 pleasant even with a low moon; one is very glad to think the 

 Crozier Party are having such a peaceful time. 



Sunday routine and nothing much to record. 



Monday, July 3. — Another quiet day, the sky more suspicious 

 in appearance. Thin stratus cloud forming and dissipating over- 

 head, curling stratus clouds over Erebus. Wind at Cape Crozier 

 seemed a possibility. 



Our people have been far out on the floe. It is cheerful 



