1902] MAGNETIC HUTS 209 



though they were lessened when we could get a sufficient 

 supply of soft snow to bank the house up thoroughly outside. 



Besides the magnetic variometers the larger hut contained 

 another instrument of importance in the seismograph, which 

 also kept a continuous record on a long roll of sensitised paper. 

 I do not know that we had any good reason for so thinking, 

 but, situated so close to an active volcano, we had expected 

 this instrument to show much activity ; contrary to our expec- 

 tation, however, our region proved a particularly quiet one, 

 and throughout our stay we were singularly free from earth 

 tremors. 



It should be understood that the magnetic instruments 

 which I have briefly mentioned above were purely differential 

 instruments. Whilst they would faithfully record the changes 

 from hour to hour and day to day they were liable to small 

 derangements which might prevent the comparison of one 

 month with another. To obviate this difficulty, from time to 

 time check observations were taken with absolute instruments, 

 and for this purpose the second and smaller hut had been 

 provided. In this small, dark cabin Bernacchi would occa- 

 sionally be forced to shut himself, with only the magnetometer 

 and the cold for company. 



In addition to the establishment of the routine of regular 

 scientific work, there was a great deal of work to be done for 

 the comfort and well-being of the ship before the winter set in, 

 and this, together with many unexpected tasks, kept all hands 

 busy and amused. The incidents of this time are perhaps 

 best given in extracts from my diary : 



' April 5. — Some seals were observed close to the cape this 

 afternoon j a killing party managed to get six. The skua gulls 

 have gone, so that the carcases can now be left about with 

 safety. Except for this reason, we rather miss the skuas ; the 

 absence of bird life adds to the deserted appearance of our 

 outlook. There is still a slight swell, most noticeable at the 

 crack beyond Hut Point; from the Point and from Cape 

 Armitage there are numerous radial cracks, gradually widening 

 and extending in length. Two " crab-eater " seals were found 

 vol. I. p 



