452 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



journey, where only the lunch hour or evening halt is available for a 

 hurried " round of angles." The recognition of topographic forms 

 should be a specialty of modern geologists, if they have had an adequate 

 physiographic training, and (again, me judice) this is more probably 

 found in the geologist than in the naval officer or professional surveyor. 



It is unnecessary to point out that a biologist — whether botanist or 

 zoologist — would be wasted on such a journey. Most geologists, how- 

 ever, have studied some botany and zoology, and are capable of collect- 

 ing such mosses and lichens, etc., as they may come across, and with a 

 little advice can make useful notes on the types and habits of the fauna 

 encountered. 



(I am not here referring to the Plateau or Inland journeys, where the 

 main essentials in an explorer are a knowledge of navigation on track- 

 less plains, such as naval men obviously possess to a high degree, coupled 

 with indomitable pluck and endurance, in which they also have an 

 unrivalled record.) 



Too little stress has been laid on ability to take successful photo- 

 graphs and to make numerous sketches. The latter is all-important. 

 With practice quite valuable sketches can be made in quarter of an 

 hour, which are far ahead of any verbal description. 



Outside these qualifications nothing is so essential as a cheery 

 temperament. It is worth more than strong biceps, for the latter 

 develops en route, while humour has a tendency to become diluted after 

 four months' stiff sledging. Certainly the latter is not an ideal environ- 

 ment for its birth and growth. 



Equipment for Scientific Coastal Exploration. — So far as the sledging 

 outfit is concerned, it would be difficult to improve on that provided 

 on Captain Scott's Expedition. But I am sure that a dog team would 

 have enabled us to do twice as much work while along the coast. They 

 could, I feel sure, be left tethered at the coast for a week or so, while 

 inland journeys were made, with some provision of seal meat. Pro- 

 bably they would eat all the food in the first few days, but in the 

 warmer summer months they could (and have been known to) exist 

 without food for many days after such a gorge. Seals are very abundant 

 in December, January, and February. For instance, in New Harbour 

 we saw two herds totalling about a hundred individuals. 



Iron Runners were undoubtedly of immense assistance to the 

 Northern party on sticky sea ice. We tried them on rugged glacier ice 

 and they were useless, for they haa 1 no " grip " at all, and on any sort 

 of slope would not follow the traces, but simply slid down the " dip " 

 of the ice. 



Tents. — The larger floorcloth was much preferable where many 

 instruments were carried. I should make it the full size of the tent- 

 floor and shut out all snow. In the ordinary pattern there was over a 

 foot margin inside the tent. A small tomahawk would be very useful 

 for cutting up seal meat. We had none. Also one of Priestley's small 

 ice-picks would be well worth carrying if there were the slightest risk 



