1876 DECAY OF SNOW. 311 



sun for a few minutes when the temperature was only 

 5° the ice became separated from the wood, the heat 

 apparently passing through it and melting the ice only 

 where it touched the wood. 



' The sun being so powerful, articles dry readily 

 in the open air. On the return of any sledge party 

 the damp blanket bags and tent robes are hung up on 

 the south side of the ship. They at once become 

 coated with numerous minute feathery crystals, which 

 appear to be ever evaporating and ever forming. 

 The oftener they are brushed off the better. 



' The snow has been cleared off from above all the 

 skylights and bull's-eyes, but still the lower-deck is 

 perfectly dark. This is a very great disadvantage; 

 besides rendering it necessary to expend candles and 

 oil, it is gloomy work living in the dark, while the sun 

 is so bright during the whole twenty-four hours that 

 when on deck we are obliged to wear coloured 

 spectacles. 



'The invalids who are unfit to join the sledges 

 have a great press of work to perform in the necessary 

 duties on board the ship. They have far too little 

 outdoor exercise. The officers are obliged to help 

 in many ways, and anyone who will turn a hand to 

 manual labour can readily find useful employment. 



' Where dampness was prevalent during the winter 

 mildew is now collecting, and would do so to a very 

 prejudicial extent if left undisturbed. This mildew 

 grows rapidly on the beams, clothes, books, papers, etc. 

 ' Since the 18th I estimate that two more inches of 

 light snow have fallen, making five inches altogether 

 since the 1st of March. As the evaporation is now 



