232 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



the yellow-green of the spectrum which is particular to aurorae. 

 1 wrote the following in the log-book : — 



"'At 21.10 ( = ten past nine) a fine display along the 

 whole sky behind the Erebus mass. At first isolated 

 greyish streamers reached over 8° ; they had a reddish 

 tinge, but were not bright enough to give a bright line 

 in the spectroscope. The whole brightened until almost 

 a continuous band of (almost yellowish) light. It con- 

 centrated with a movement to the north, reminding one 

 of a caterpillar's motion as the more vivid mass of light un- 

 dulated towards Erebus. At one moment it clotted into a 

 globule of light not unlike a meteor, pointing to the crater 

 with a streamer extending up, and slightly to the south. 

 There was a tendency for the more northern streamers to 

 point the same way. At 21.16 the display was over. 

 There was perceptible orange and traces of purple (fide 

 E. A. Wilson) in the borders. During the maximum, 

 the streamers were over 20 from the horizon.' 



" Clissold and Birdie retain me to keep the fire going in 

 the galley. I put coal on twice (say at 2 and 4 a.m.) and rake 

 out the ashes at 6 a.m. Wake the cook (Clissold) at 

 6.30. Wright says look to the acetylene apparatus. If it 

 gets below 3 2° F. in the porch, open the inner door and 

 let in a whifF to the mess deck ! If the drum rises three 

 feet and there's risk of explosion, pump out the water, if vice 

 vers& dump in some water, for the bell won't work. Teddy 

 Evans is to be waked at 7 and Sunny Jim at 4 and 7.30. 



" I intend to have a bath when Scott and Evans turn in. 

 The former is reading and the latter plotting Inaccessible 

 Island — a scandalous proceeding at 12.30 a.m. ! For my 

 bath I have to get ice from the old tin bath outside and 

 replenish the galley boiler. 1 tried to get tinned fruit for 

 my 4 a.m. repast instead of sardines, but it was no go ! I 

 can boil water on the little acetylene bunsen, if it's worth 

 doing." 



Later. — " I have sketched the N.E. corner of the hut, and 

 tried to write a poem and failed. Been out five times and 

 seen no aurorae. Had a hot bath and filled the boiler with 

 ice. Stoked up the fire and examined the acetylene plant. 



