134 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Mar. 



pleasing dishes. Of course, as is natural with such an arrange- 

 ment, there are occasional failures, but on the whole it works 

 admirably ; the men are delighted with what might be termed 

 the freedom of the galley, and at least they know now that 

 everything is prepared with a proper regard for cleanliness.' 



' March 23. — The sun is sinking rapidly, and already lamps 

 are lit for dinner. It is curious to observe the varying effect 

 which the summer has had on the ice about us. At the end 

 of the winter it was from six to seven feet thick, but now at its 

 thickest, in Arrival Bay, it is only five feet, whereas a few 

 hundred yards away off Hut Point at one time it was almost 

 melted through, while off Cape Armitage there was a large hole 

 where it had disappeared altogether. Under this hole we have 

 recently found a shallow bank of three fathoms, and we know 

 there is another bank off Hut Point ; there can be no doubt, 

 therefore, that the melting takes place where the current runs 

 rapidly over shallow places. In our small bay the ice is eight 

 or nine feet thick, and in some places much more, but this is 

 due to the quantity of snow which has fallen on its surface. 



* It is strange how the tracks of footsteps remain indicated 

 in the snow round about; as a rule, the compressed snow 

 under each footprint remains firm, and is left like a small islet 

 after the surrounding deposit has been swept away by the wind. 

 In this manner the whole nature of the surface about our 

 colony has been altered ; it is surrounded by a hard trodden 

 area from which radiate beaten highways in all directions. 

 The hill slopes round about are quite spoiled for skiing 

 purposes.' 



^ April 7. — With the exception of spreading the awning 

 our preparations for winter are now pretty well completed. 

 Snow has been brought in and distributed liberally over the 

 decks, and has been banked up on each side opposite the 

 living-quarters ; guide-ropes to the screen and to the huts have 

 been erected ; one of the boats has been placed on the ice- 

 foot, and the remainder so secured that they will be clear of 

 the awning ; leading away in various directions can be seen 

 long lines of sticks and cask staves, which go to different 



