Recent Antarctic Exploration 19 



behind the nearer foothills ; but now fresh features have developed about 

 these slopes. 



" Over the western ridge can be seen two new peaks which must lie 

 considerably to the south of the mountain, and, more interesting still, 

 beyond the eastern cape we catch a glimpse of an extended coast-line ; 

 the land is thrown up by mirage, and appears in small white patches 

 against a pale sky. We know well this appearance of a snow-covered 

 country. It is the normal view in these regions of a very distant lofty 

 land, and it indicates with certainty that a mountainous country continues 

 beyond Mount Longstaff for nearly fifty miles. The direction of the 

 extreme land thrown up in this manner is S. 17 E. ; and hence we can 

 now say with certainty that the coast-line, after passing Mount Longstaflf, 

 continues in this direction for at least a degree of latitude." 



"Instinctively" the reader feels (as Captain Scott felt on 

 a previous occasion) " that such a scene is most perfectly 

 devised to produce optical illusions"; and he will reflect that, 

 however certain the explorer may be, it might have been 

 prudent, in dealing with these great distances, to confine his 

 report to " appearances of land." 



On Jan. 13, 1903, depot B was fortunately found. The 

 provisions there picked up made the conditions in respect of 

 food favourable ; but the strength of the party was diminish- 

 ing, and the health of one of their number Lieutenant 

 Shackleton caused serious misgiving. The dogs had long 

 ceased to be of any use for dragging, and had had to be 

 sacrificed. A straight course was now made to depot A, 

 which was reached on Jan. 28, and the party joined the ship 

 on Feb. 3. The journey had occupied 93 days ; and during 

 it 960 statute miles were covered. The credit which is due 

 to Captain Scott and his companions in this journey can only 

 be appreciated by those who read the account of it, and know 

 something of what arctic travelling is. 



During the whole of his journey Captain Scott travelled 

 on the ice-sheet, which terminates northward in what is 

 known as the Great Barrier. This is land-ice, not sea-ice. 

 Through four and a half degrees of latitude it maintained the 

 same level ; and Captain Scott concludes that it is afloat. 

 If this be so, then the Ross Sea stretches at least to latitude 

 83 S.; and, as there were no signs to the southward of a 



