19"] ANOTHER LOST DOG RETURNS 271 



bergs late last night. On returning they saw a dog coming 

 over the floe from the north. The animal rushed towards and 

 leapt about them with every sign of intense joy. Then they 

 realised that it was our long lost Julick. 



His mane was crusted with blood and he smelt strongly of 

 seal blubber his stomach was full, but the sharpness of back- 

 bone showed that this condition had only been temporary. 



By daylight he looks very fit and strong, and he is evidently 

 very pleased to be home again. 



We are absolutely at a loss to account for his adventures. 

 It is exactly a month since he was missed what on earth can 

 have happened to him all this time? One would give a great 

 deal to hear his tale. Everything is against the theory that he 

 was a wilful absentee his previous habits and his joy at get- 

 ting back. If he wished to get back, he cannot have been lost 

 anywhere in the neighbourhood, for, as Meares says, the barking 

 of the station dogs can be heard at least 7 or 8 miles away in 

 calm weather, besides which there are tracks everywhere and 

 unmistakable landmarks to guide man or beast. I cannot but 

 think the animal has been cut off, but this can only have happened 

 by his being carried away on broken sea ice, and as far as we 

 know the open water has never been nearer than 10 or 12 miles 

 at the least. It is another enigma. 



On Saturday last a balloon was sent up. The thread was 

 found broken a mile away. Bowers and Simpson walked many 

 miles in search of the instrument, but could find no trace of it. 

 The theory now propounded is that if there is strong differential 

 movement in air currents, the thread is not strong enough to 

 stand the strain as the balloon passes from one current to an- 

 other. It is amazing, and forces the employment of a new 

 system. It is now proposed to discard the thread and attach 

 the instrument to a flag and staff, which it is hoped will plant 

 itself in the snow on falling. 



The sun is shining in.to the hut windows already sunbeams 

 rest on the opposite walls. 



I have mentioned the curious cones which are the conspicuous 

 feature of our Ramp scenery they stand from 8 to 20 feet in 

 height, some irregular, but a number quite perfectly conical in 

 outline. To-day Taylor and Gran took pick and crowbar and 

 started to dig into one of the smaller ones. After removing 



