126 



NEW LAND. 



up to our .expectations. We also made trial of a new kind of 

 sole, which we had invented and made during the winter. It 

 consisted either of two or three layers of birch-bark covered 

 with thin homespun, or of birch-bark alone, three or four layers 

 according to the thickness of the bark. Our over-socks were of 

 dog-skin. 



This was the best kind of sole we had yet used with 



FUUM THE DECK OF THE ' FBAM.' 



footgear of the sort. The soles weighed next to nothing, and 

 were remarkably good as non-conductors. We did not see the 

 slightest trace of rime in our boots, and although we walked all 

 the way down the fjord our feet were perfectly dry in the evening. 

 The trial of the new over-socks and soles being so successful, a 

 whole set of them was made at once. 



