DR. BRUCE'S ANTARCTIC WORK 479 



twice or thrice daily, by Daniel's hygrometers, till these were 

 all broken, then by wet and dry bulb. 



The Camp, Sunningdale : March 19, 1911. 



MY DEAR DR. BRUCE, Referring to the publication of 

 the results of your two perilous Antarctic Explorations and 

 of the unpublished material, I regard them as of the highest 

 scientific interest and importance in respect of Meteorology, 

 Magnetism, Geography, Hydrography, Geology, Zoology 

 and Botany. 



I cannot therefore but expect a favourable answer from 

 the Prime Minister to the application to the Treasury grant 

 for 6,800 to enable you to complete the publication of the 

 Scientific Results, and to repay the sums advanced by your 

 friends who so liberally came forward in your aid. 



It is now going on for 70 years since Sir Robert Peel, 

 then Prime Minister, procured me a grant of 1,000 towards 

 the publication of the ' Botanical Results ' of the first Antarc- 

 tic Expedition (1839-43) in which I had the honour of serving. 



Very sincerely yours, 



Jos. D. HOOKER. 



The Camp, Sunningdale : May 6, 1911. 



MY DEAR DR. BRUCE, * Polar Exploration ' has reached 

 me and I have read it through withgreat interest and pleasure, 

 greatly heightened by its kindly and flattering dedication to 

 myself, for which I cordially thank you. It is an excellent 

 digest to our knowledge of the Polar region, and was much 

 wanted. As the precursor to your forthcoming * History of 

 Polar Exploration/ it will be widely welcomed. I have 

 noted a few misprints of which you may be glad of knowing 

 in the event of a new edition. . . . 



The freedom from scurvy of the Erebus and Terror 

 deserved mention. One case alone occurred in the Terror, 

 who had it before embarking. 



The only serious omission that I notice (if I have not 

 carelessly overlooked it) is that of the marvellous retrocession 

 of the Barrier since Ross mapped it. To me this appears 

 the most momentous change known to be brought about in 

 the Antarctic in little more than half a century. I have 

 seen doubts thrown upon Ross's demarcation of the sea 

 front of the Barrier but that is ridiculous, he was a first- 



