262 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. March 



and in that state has 'been stored ready for use in a 

 canvas bag. As it is impossible to thaw the food when 

 travelling, the poor creatures will have to swallow 

 these lumps of food at a temperature sixty and seventy 

 degrees below freezing-point ; it is therefore not sur- 

 prising that fits occur but rather that any dogs are 

 left alive. 



'In consequence of the saving of lime-juice which 

 will occur during the absence of the travellers in 

 April, the ration has now been doubled. The evening 

 issue is not compulsory, but I am sure that very few 

 will neglect to take it. 



.' The mean temperature for February was minus 

 38°. I am fully certain that at a position a few miles 

 farther to the westward, out of the range of the warm 

 southerly winds blowing through Eobeson Channel, 

 which invariably raise the temperature considerably, 

 the mean temperature for the month would have been 

 much lower. 



' Owing to the gradual accumulation of newly 

 formed ice on the starboard side of the ship, caused by 

 the freezing of the water which overruns the surface 

 when depressed by the tide, she is now forced over to 

 port, heeling four and a half degrees ; a very decided 

 incline. It is quite impossible to remedy matters 

 before the thaw commences. We must be thankful 

 that the rise and fall of the tide is not greater ; other- 

 wise we should be as badly placed as the " Polaris " 

 was under similar circumstances at Thank God 

 Harbour. 



' 2?id. — The sledge preparations occupying the 

 whole of each evening, to-day was the last of the 





