318 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. May 



sadly in want of fresh meat for our invalids. Strict 

 orders are given to each sledge party to bring back for 

 the use of the sick all game shot, even a single ptarmigm i . 

 To-day there are nine men recommended to have a 

 change of diet in consequence of showing scorbutic 

 symptoms. Three of these are the ice-quartermasters, 

 three are cooks and stewards, and three seamen, one of 

 whom has, however, been employed as ship's cook on 

 board the " Discovery " during the winter. One of the 

 seamen has been ailing for a considerable time ; he is a 

 most inveterate smoker, and it turns out that he pre- 

 fers salt to preserved meat, and has eaten very little 

 of the latter during the winter. 



' lith. — Poor Petersen died this evening, passing 

 away quietly without pain. Dr. Colan has been 

 incessant in his attendance, not only in a medical 

 capacity but as a nurse ; so perfectly self-sacrificing is 

 he that I am seriously alarmed for his own health. 



6 Yesterday the snow on the upper-deck above the 

 cooking-galley melted, the water running out through 

 the scuppers. It is high time that it was entirely re- 

 moved, but our few workmen can only be spared to 

 work occasionally. Owing to the weight of that 

 which has already been thrown overboard the water 

 has overflowed the ice in such quantities that we 

 cannot now approach the ship on the inshore side 

 without getting wet feet. In the clods of frozen snow 

 and gravel exposed to the effect of the sun the snow 

 evaporates quickly without melting or trickling clown. 



' The temperature of the earth at a depth of eighteen 

 inches has risen to minus 5° ; the mean temperature of 

 the air. is therefore now warmer than that of the earth. 





