APPENDIX 453 



of being abandoned, even for a month. The ice-axes were not often 

 used for their legitimate purpose of chipping steps. They were cer- 

 tainly valuable as supports on the slippery glaciers, but should have been 

 stronger, even if it added a few pounds to the load. 



The Blubber Stove was worth its weight in gold. It was made by 

 Day, of sheet iron, and was simply a rectangular box, 18 inches long, 

 and about 10 by 10 inches in cross-section. A round hole (about 8 

 inches in diameter) was cut in the top. A chimney of sheet iron, 

 about 3 inches diameter, was riveted in one end, and was about 4 feet 

 high ; but we found that the length was not essential, as there was 

 always sufficient wind to make about 18 inches of chimney act. 



The only objection to Day's pattern was the door, which occupied 

 the other end of the oven and was hinged at the top. It would have 

 been better if the opening had been stiffened and the door also, so 

 that it would shut readily, even when the oven was warped and 

 dinted. 



More important still, there should have been a " sill " at least one 

 inch high to keep the blubber oil from all escaping from the floor of the 

 oven. We took a grid to carry the " fids " of blubber and asbestos 

 wicks, but they were unnecessary ; the ashes from the burnt skin or 

 bits of bone acted as a suitable burning surface. We never needed to 

 "render" the blubber, but just fed it in its native state. This stove 

 must be completely sheltered from strong winds, and we built a granite 

 hut for its use. It cannot be used in the tent, for in spite of all pre- 

 cautions it evolves the filthiest oily soot that ever disfigured scientific 

 note-books. 



Note-Books. — Plain good paper with linen-covered cardboard backs, 

 opening sideways, with a loop and pencil and rubber tied on with 

 string. Take four thin books (8 X 5 or so) rather than one thick one. 



For long panoramic sketches, fold down one inch of the right-hand 

 page and sketch over this fold, then the panorama can be sketched 

 continuously and to scale on the next pair of pages, and so on. 



An ordinary geological hammer of medium weight, a small cold 

 chisel (wrapped in canvas to prevent it sticking to you), and a stout 

 ruck-sack are essential. 



Instruments. — The prismatic compass is almost useless for accurate 

 work in the magnetic area. Wright and I used two independently, 

 and found we differed about three or four degrees. This would not 

 perhaps matter for a very small area. The needle is extremely 

 sluggish ; but we found them useful for route marching with thick 

 snow falling, and one should certainly be taken. 



The plane-table is the instrument par excellence. Debenham 

 deserves great credit for taking one south, for Captain Scott was 

 extremely sceptical as to their value on sledge journeys. In open 

 country with a prominent peak (as a referring object) in the line of 

 traverse — conditions such as one always gets in coastal work — the plane- 

 table was extremely rapid and enabled Debenham to do excellent work 



