250 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. February 



This was explained afterwards by our learning 

 that at Discovery Bay, from which direction the wind 

 was blowing, the ' Discovery ' experienced a similar 

 temperature of minus 51°. 



8 The vaporisation of our breath in the cold air 

 presents precisely the same appearance as if we were 

 smoking tobacco ; and when severe work causes 

 extreme perspiration, the worker becomes surrounded 

 by a cloud. To-day, when the dogs were approach- 

 ing with a light favourable wind, they and the sledge 

 were as completely hidden as a ship is after firing 

 a salute. In fact, with misty weather and a snowy 

 background we did not perceive them coming until 

 they were close alongside. 



' The great difficulty that cold air finds in rising, 

 and warm air in descending, is well exemplified in the 

 snow-built observatory on shore, where the temperature 

 without any fire is always above zero. In consequence 

 of the entrance passage leading up-hill the cold outer 

 air cannot ascend, and that inside the chamber, warmed 

 by the candles used when making observations, cannot 

 force its way down-hill. 



' In a similar manner we have experienced a con- 

 siderable advantage in consequence of the ship floating 

 in water throughout the winter. By carefully covering 

 the engine-room hatchway, and preventing the cold air 

 descending to the ship's holds, the temperature has been 

 very seldom below 2 8° '5, the same as that of the 

 water beneath the ship. 



'In this we are far more fortunate than Lieu- 

 tenant Weyprecht and his companions on board the 

 " Tegetthoff." Completely cradled in ice as that ship 



