276 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. Makcu 



few are left in our neighbourhood ; three only have 

 been killed since the return of light. The heat of the 

 sun is very powerful ; the exposed surface of each 

 dark boulder is to-day free from snow, which has 

 evaporated or thawed away without any melting being- 

 apparent. 



' The white painted boats being objectionable for 

 snow-blind travellers to gaze on, Dr. Moss has been 

 painting those belonging to Markham's party with 

 diversified colours, but the paint does not appear in- 

 clined to dry. The backs of the travellers' white- 

 duck jumpers have also been marked with appropriate 

 designs, in order that when pulling at the sledge-ropes 

 each man may have some colour to rest his eyes on. 

 As every individual has been left free to choose his 

 own crest, the variety and originality displayed is 

 somewhat quaint. 



8 In consequence of the ice having become thick 

 enough to reach down to the mouth of the discharge- 

 pipe, we are at last unable to use the ship's pumps, 

 The fire-engine suction-pipe being lower will remain 

 free so long as the temperature inside the ship is 

 above 28°-5. 



' While walking to-day with Mr. Pullen near Cape 

 liawson, we observed that the sea-face of the cape, up 

 to a height of 200 feet above the present sea-level, had 

 been ground smooth by the pressure of the floebergs 

 or of the ice-foot. The rock remaining so distinctly 

 scored for such a lengthened period as must have 

 elapsed while the land was rising to the height men- 

 tioned, is remarkable. 



1 We measured a stranded floeberg, forced up on 



