174 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [April 



miles, and soon after the instrument was seen to disengage. 

 The balloon at first went north with a light southerly breeze till 

 it reached 300 or 400 ft, then it turned to the south but did not 

 travel rapidly; when 2 miles of thread had gone it seemed to be 

 going north again or rising straight upward. 



In the afternoon Simpson and Bowers went to recover their 

 treasure, but somewhere south of Inaccessible Island they found 

 the thread broken and the light was not good enough to con- 

 tinue the search. 



The sides of the galley fire have caved in there should have 

 been cheeks to prevent this; we got some fire clay cement to-day 

 and plastered up the sides. I hope this will get over the diffi- 

 culty, but have some doubt. 



Wednesday, April 26. Calm. Went round Cape Evans 

 remarkable effects of icicles on the ice foot, formed by spray 

 of southerly gales. 



Thursday, April 27. The fourth day in succession without 

 wind, but overcast. Light snow has fallen during the day to- 

 night the wind comes from the north. 



We should have our party back soon. The temperature 

 remains about 5 and the ice should be getting thicker with 

 rapidity. 



Went round the bergs off Cape Evans they are very beau- 

 tiful, especially one which is pierced to form a huge arch. It 

 will be interesting to climb around these monsters as the winter 

 proceeds. 



To-day I have organised a series of lectures for the winter; 

 the people seem keen and it ought to be exceedingly interesting 

 to discuss so many diverse subjects with experts. 



We have an extraordinary diversity of talent and training 

 in our people; it would be difficult to imagine a company com- 

 posed of experiences which differed so completely. We find one 

 hut contains an experience of every country and every clime ! 

 What an assemblage of motley knowledge ! 



Friday, April 28. Another comparatively calm day temp. 

 12 , clear sky. Went to ice caves on glacier S. of Cape; 

 these are really very wonderful. Ponting took some photo- 

 graphs with long exposure and Wright got some very fine ice 

 crystals. The Glacier Tongue comes close around a high bluff 

 headland of kenyte ; it is much cracked and curiously composed 



