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PLATE LXVL THE BALLOON INLET OF THE GREAT ICE 



BARRIER. 



FIG. 1 (Map A). From a photograph by E. H. SHACKLKTON (Sh. 64, ^-plate), 

 Feb. 4, 1902 ; taken from the balloon at a height of 400 feet ; showing the 

 ' Discovery ' tied up to the Barrier side in the inlet, and the shadow of the 

 balloon itself upon the Barrier surface. 



FIG. 2 (Map A). From a photograph by E. H. SHACKLETON (Sh. 65, ^-plate), 

 Feb. 4, 1902 ; taken from the balloon, looking down upon the surface of the 

 Barrier, where some of the ship's company are seen looking upward. 



The interest of this inlet of the Barrier lies in the fact that in 1841 Sir James 

 Ross found a similar inlet at a corresponding position, but 30 miles farther to the 

 N. and E., where now is open sea. We know also from other observations that 

 the present Barrier face stands roughly ten or fifteen miles farther to the S. than it 

 did in the days of Ross ; but that this inlet should have retained its character and 

 position is remarkable. It is probable (see Scott, Voyage of the 'Discovery,' vol. ii., 

 p. 422) that it does so on account of a line of weakness which, as a "tide-crack," 

 indicates the separation line between the floating ice of the Great Barrier, and the 

 fast grounded ice and coast-line of King Edward VII. 's Land. The continuation of 

 this line of weakness to the southward, or in any direction, if indeed such a 

 continuation is eventually proved to exist, must then be considered the eastern 

 boundary of Ross's Barrier and the western coast-line of King Edward's Land. 



