128 



PLATE LXV. THE GKEAT ICE BARRIER. 



FIG. 1 (Map A). From a photograph by E. H. SHACKLETON (Sh. 48, |-plate), 

 Jan. 26, 1902 ; looking S. from the ship to the sea-face of Ross's Great Ice 

 Barrier. 



FIG. 2 (Map A). From a photograph by R. W. SKELTON (Sk. 88, ^-plate), Feb. 3, 

 1902; taken in Balloon Bight, where the 'Discovery' was tied to a low part 

 of the Barrier during the ascent of the balloon. 



The upper picture represents the most typical characteristics of tne sea-face of 

 Ross's Great Ice Barrier, showing a clean fractured surface, very little worn by 

 weather or by water, opaque white in colour, wiih pure cobalt-blue light in the 

 cracks and fissures, and a line of sea-green ice along the foot at the water-level. 

 In height gradually changing from 40 or 60 feet to 100 and 200 and even to 280 

 feet from the level of the sea. 



At the Balloon Bight, Fig. 2, the sea-face was so low that with the ship 

 alongside one could step from the rail to the Barrier surface. This, however, was 

 exceptional. 



The black horizontal line crossing Fig. 2 is perhaps not easy to recognise as 

 one of the ship's hawsers, by which she was tied up with an ice-anchor. This inlet 

 is further discussed with Plate LXVI. 



