68 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



a constant deposit. There are many small foraminifera shells 

 (Orbutina) in the mud, which can be made out under the 

 microscope. 



The current-meter is a more unusual instrument, and is 

 a Norwegian invention. It consists of a small fan-wheel 

 arrangement, which is rotated by the current, and which 

 actuates some clockwork recording the velocity. At the back 

 project two large vanes, which turn the apparatus always to 

 face the current. But most interesting is the method of 

 obtaining the direction of the current. A compass-box is 

 attached under the fan-wheel, and the area beneath the needle 

 is divided into radial compartments. The south arm of the 

 needle has a groove cut along its upper surface, and little 

 metal balls, released by the clockwork, fall on to the centre of 

 the needle at regular intervals, and run down the sloping 

 needle into that one of the radial compartments which is 

 immediately beneath. 



On drawing the apparatus to the surface — where the large 

 directing vanes give it the appearance of a huge dragon fly — 

 the angle between the fixed vanes and the compartments con- 

 taining the balls gives the deviation of the current from true 

 north. This investigation was usually carried on through a 

 hole cut in the floe alongside ; a derrick, consisting of three 

 oars lashed together, leading the wire to the winch on the 

 ship. 



On the 14th we tied alongside a floe of some three acres. 

 Another ice quarry was opened up for water, but on com- 

 pletion of this duty almost every one proceeded to ski, or 

 in current parlance (a la Gran) to go "mit dee shee op." 

 We have for a week or more been wearing the comfortable 

 ski-boots. They are furnished with a deep and broad sole 

 around which the ski-strap is locked with a patent latchet. 

 The toe is rigidly fixed in an iron clamp with an over-strap, 

 but the heel can lift up and down off the ski. 1 suppose 

 every one has a general idea of the ski (which word is 

 pronounced shee). The chief requisite is that the wood shall 

 be strong and straight in grain. Our "Chips" has made 

 some on board which answer very well. The others were 

 brought from Norway by Lieutenant Gran. They were 

 smaller and simpler as regards straps than the New Zealand 

 and Kosciusko samples. 



