General observations as to natural conditions. 347 



and firm, the recent gale having levelled all irregularities in the sur- 

 face. We had here an opportunity of observing very marked effects 

 of refraction; on looking at the sledges, for instance, one might see 

 them piled two or three one above the other, or one would disappear 

 entirely, etc. 



On the 3rd May, at about 42° long, we near the highest levels 

 reached (abt, 2200 metres). Here we are once more in hilly country, 

 the valley systems running apparently north and south, the average 

 height of the intervening hills from bottom of valley being about 50 metres. 



Throughout the greater part of the day the snow lies in such a 

 manner that the upper crust will bear the sledges on their broad run- 

 ners; both men and dogs, however, sinking through. This crust, which 

 is a couple of centimetres thick, is smooth on its upper surface, the 

 lower, however, consisting not of granulated ice, but of fine needle- 

 points, perpendicularly set. These cause the dogs a considerable amount 

 of inconvenience, pricking their paws, and in the case of the younger 

 animals, frequently so as to draw blood. The upper crust is very hard, 

 and if a lump of it be kicked, or a large piece thrown down, it breaks 

 with a sound like that of fine porcelain smashing. The ice needles, 

 which as before are probably not caused by melting, rest likewise on 

 a bed of loose, "dry" snow. 



Now and again, at places where the crust bears better, great 

 sheets over 20 metres across cave in as we drive across, with a loud 

 crack, or rather a kind of sighing noise. At a first glance, there is 

 nothing to be seen, but on closer examination one may find the out- 

 line of the broken sheet. 



4th, 5th and 6th May. Mercury frozen. It is excellent going now, 

 the snow firm and hard, and packed so close by the wind as to be 

 unsuitable for hut-building, snow of this consistency giving a cold 

 shelter, besides being difficult to work with. Strong refraction effects 

 all round. After reaching the highest point, 2225 metres, with a steep 

 slope up, the ground falls as steeply again down to 2120 metres, after 

 which we appear to be driving on a level. The severe cold is accom- 

 panied by a cloudless sky, and the sunlight causes much inconvenience, 

 as our snow spectacles are useless on account of the rime which col- 

 lects on them. 



All down the eastern slope of the inland ice the snow is smooth 

 and hard, the descent being also practically imperceptible. Only here 

 and there do we encounter the hill and valley formation noticed on 

 the western side. The ridges and furrows in the snow, here formed 

 by WSW and SW winds, seem to indicate a more constant direction 

 of the wind than on the western side. 



6th May. Even with so slight a wind as 1 — 2 metres the snow 

 drives continually, though frequently only to be noticed by the fact 

 that sledge, tent, etc., become covered with snow. 



LI. 25 



