THE TERRA NO FA GOES SOUTH 103 



constriction is necessary to ensure equable temperature. A 

 mild blizzard was blowing while we were cutting it out, 

 though in the calm — not to say stuffy — atmosphere of the 

 grotto a temperature of twenty below freezing had little effect 

 on one's comfort. To be sure files, and saws, and other iron 

 tools developed an octopus-like surface, for they stuck to 

 one's fingers as if smeared with gum. The wall struts — for 

 the lining — were cemented simply and effectively by a mush 

 of ice and water, which solidified immediately. Two large 

 kenyte boulders formed jagged obstructions on the floor. 

 When foundations for the instrument standards were being 

 made, it was found that under the layer of gravel forming 

 the floor was another layer of ice. It is quite possible that 

 our hut may be built on gravel over a thick ice sheet. This 

 will be tested by a shaft in the winter leisure. 



On the highest portion of Cape Evans is hoisted the 

 Union Jack. Near by is the meteorological screen, and two 

 anemometers are merrily whirling round. We have been 

 laying telephone wires across the space between the hill and 

 the hut to connect the instruments there to the meteorological 

 laboratory ("corner" would be a better term) in the hut. 



On Sunday 15 work was suspended for a day, for every- 

 thing was progressing well. Many of the men took ski on to 

 the slopes of Erebus, behind the hut, and had a pleasant time, 

 diversified by many tumbles, in consequence. To the north 

 of these slopes extended the hitherto untraversed Barne glacier, 

 which formerly blocked all communication with Cape Royds 

 during summer. Its seaward face is a high cliff" of ice, strongly 

 crevassed, and reaching from Cape Evans to Cape Barne. 

 Wright and myself received permission to go on the glacier, 

 and providing ourselves with an alpine rope, ice axes, food, 

 and wind-proof clothing, we set off up the rocky slopes behind 

 the hut. We soon reached an irregular snow surface deeply 

 pitted where boulders had sunk, with little runnels of water 

 murmuring below the crusts in ice in numberless little gullies. 

 As the ice became more apparent we roped up and marched to 

 the north, gradually ascending the slope of the glacier. Our 

 objective at this time was the rock ridge behind Cape Barne, 

 about two and a half miles away. The glacier came down 

 from Erebus in undulations resembling gigantic rounded 

 steps. It seemed probable to us that the best surface would 



