i 9 o2] AN ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENON 27 



yet seen in these regions. We were enveloped in a light, thin 

 stratus cloud of small ice-crystals ; it could not have extended 

 to any height, as the sun was only lightly veiled. From these 

 drifting crystals above, the sun's rays were reflected in such an 

 extraordinary manner that the whole arch of the heavens was 

 traced with circles and lines of brilliant prismatic or white 

 light. The coloured circles of a bright double halo were 

 touched or intersected by one which ran about us parallel to 

 the horizon; above this, again, a gorgeous prismatic ring 

 encircled the zenith ; away from the sun was a white fog-bow, 

 with two bright mock suns where it intersected the horizon 

 circle. The whole effect was almost bewildering, and its 

 beauty is far beyond the descriptive powers of my sledging 

 pencil. We have often seen double halos, fog-bows, mock 

 suns, and even indications of other circles, but we have never 

 been privileged to witness a display that approaches in splen- 

 dour that of to-day. We stopped, whilst Wilson took notes of 

 the artistic composition, and I altitudes and bearings of the 

 various light effects. If it is robbed of some of the beauties 

 of a milder climate, our region has certainly pictures of its own 

 to display.' 



On our return to the ship I could find no account, in such 

 reference books as we had, of anything to equal this scene, nor 

 have I since heard of its having been witnessed elsewhere. 



\ November 29 {continued). — Both in the first and second 

 advance to-day we noticed that the points of starting and 

 finishing were in view of one another, but that in travelling 

 between them either end was temporarily lost to sight for a 

 short time. This undoubtedly indicates undulation in the 

 surface, but I should think of slight amount, probably not 

 more than seven or eight feet, the length of the waves being 

 doubtful, as we cannot be certain of the angle at which we are 

 crossing them ; they cannot exceed two miles from crest to 

 crest, and are probably about one. 



1 We had rather a scare to-night on its suddenly coming 

 over very thick just as Wilson and I were coupling up the 

 second load to bring it on ; all our food and personal equip- 



