214 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [June 



Owing to lack of sun heat the effect will be more rapid in 

 south than north and therefore the upset will commence first in 

 the south. After the first start the upset will rapidly spread 

 north, bringing the blizzard. The facts supporting the theory 

 are the actual formation of a stratus cloud before a blizzard, 

 the snow and warm temperature of the blizzard and its gusty 

 nature. 



It is a pretty starting-point, but, of course, there are weak 

 spots. 



Atkinson has found a trypanosome in the fish it has been 

 stained, photographed and drawn an interesting discovery hav- 

 ing regard to the few species that have been found. A trypano- 

 some is the cause of ' sleeping sickness.' 



The blizzard has continued all day with a good deal of drift. 

 I went for a walk, but the conditions were not inviting. 



We have begun to consider details of next season's travelling 

 equipment. The crampons, repair of finnesko with sealskin, and 

 an idea for a double tent have been discussed to-day. P.O. 

 Evans and Lashly are delightfully intelligent in carrying out 

 instructions. 



Sunday, June II. A fine clear morning, the moon now re- 

 volving well aloft and with full face. 



For exercise a run on ski to the South Bay in the morning 

 and a dash up the Ramp before dinner. Wind and drift arose 

 in the middle of the day, but it is now nearly calm again. 



At our morning service Cherry-Garrard, good fellow, 

 vamped the accompaniment of two hymns; he received en- 

 couraging thanks and will cope with all three hymns next 

 Sunday. 



Day by day news grows scant in this midwinter season; all 

 events seem to compress into a small record, yet a little reflection 

 shows that this is not the case. For instance I have had at least 

 three important discussions on weather and ice conditions to-day, 

 concerning which many notes might be made, and quite a num- 

 ber of small arrangements have been made. 



If a diary can be so inadequate here how difficult must be 

 the task of making a faithful record of a day's events in ordinary 

 civilised life! I think this is why I have found it so difficult to 

 keep a diary at home. 



Monday, June 12. The weather is not kind to us. There 



