454 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



each day. For details of the geology of a cape or cliff area the plane- 

 table is simply magnificent. 



A light theodolite (4-inch) was carried, of course, to tie on to 

 prominent distant peaks and for elevation and base-line measurements. 

 Latitude and longitude and sun azimuths were taken as checks on the 

 triangulation, which later in our journeys was tied on to Mount 

 Erebus. 



Cameras. — We had large experience with these, Debenham taking 

 Ponting's place when the latter returned. We carried Zeiss and 

 Goerz panorama-stereoscope cameras. They had two grave faults for 

 southern work. The rubber focal plane shutters froze stiff, and used 

 to crawl down and then stop halfway, when one wished to give ^ 

 of a second ! 



Secondly, they were arranged for glass plates. In spite of advice 

 given me by Mawson and other photographers in the South, I am 

 convinced that a hundred films would give one ten times as many good 

 photos as ten plates y for plates get scratched and broken, and the weight 

 (the only important factor) is the same. When we went a long side- 

 tramp we always relied on the two film cameras, and they succeeded in 

 producing many splendid photos, while the trouble of changing plates at 

 — 20° F. (with your head inside a moulting fur sleeping-bag) can be 

 imagined by any one. For geologists I would recommend the Goerz 

 outfit with front shutters and a film-pack attachment. As it was, my 

 exposures in a very expensive camera of this type (guaranteed to give 

 -j-^ijy of a second) were made by means of a red cotton handkerchief 

 presented to me by Charles Wright ! 



For physiographic details, a stereoscopic camera is sine qua non ; for 

 topographic work a panorama camera is essential ; for lantern slides a 

 \ plate is advisable. The two cameras I have specified fulfil all these 

 conditions, and both have, of course, magnificent lenses. 



Clothing. — No one altered the regulation rig very materially. The 

 geologists had to wear the strong corduroy trousers, which were hot 

 for sledging, because the rocks tore wind-proof to pieces. As it was, 

 mine were darned in fifty places with strong twine, and even so were 

 disintegrating when we were picked up. I did not carry my note-books 

 in a case as Wilson preferred, for they slipped easily into the huge 

 pockets on the Wolsey knitted jacket. Aesthetics are perhaps out of 

 place when sledging, but some grey or brown colour would have been 

 an improvement on the white of these otherwise excellent jackets. 

 The white jackets soon gave us an even more filthy appearance than 

 necessary, and one sees too much snow and ice to appreciate white 

 clothing. A neutral colour would really have been a welcome object 

 in the view when sledging over the Barrier. 



Boots were, however, the one article in which the expedition was 

 weak. We had all sorts of ski-boots made of fine supple leather, 

 but nothing shod with nails to resist the granite moraines of the 

 western area. When damp, the nails which we inserted soon pulled 



