312 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



comforting. In making out the provision-list do not 

 ever think of canned foods, except the unsweetened 

 condensed milk (I have never known it to freeze) ; 

 canned meats are luxuries which are heavy to carry 

 and cumbersome to pack. Whenever possible, put 

 all provisions in strong muslin or paraffined cloth 

 bags, and pack these in waterproof canvas bags of 

 convenient size for carrying. Cooking utensils of 

 aluminium are the only suitable kind, not only on 

 account of their lightness, but because they will 

 not burn. An outfit of good quality should, with 

 care, last a lifetime. It is well to remember that 

 all trace of either salt or ashes should be carefully 

 removed before the utensils are put away for any 

 length of time. In selecting an axe, which, need- 

 less to say, is an important part of the outfit, 

 choose one that is light and has a long handle, and 

 be sure that it is tempered to suit the cold weather ; 

 an axe tempered for southern countries will fly to 

 pieces when used in a very cold climate. 



As the camera is an almost invariable adjunct to 

 the camper's outfit, a few words of caution in regard 

 to the care of it may not be amiss above all things 

 keep the camera and the plates (or films) well away 

 from the fire, as the slightest warmth will cause 

 moisture to condense not only on the lens, both 

 inside and out, and working parts of the shutters, 

 but also on the plates or films, and this moisture 

 will freeze immediately the camera is removed 

 from the influence of the fire. If glass plates are 

 used, do not dust them with a brush when filling 

 the plate-holders, as, owing to the dryness of the 

 air, the electricity that is generated by the friction 



