240 MY ARCTIC JOURNAL 



the fur inside, were, I think, the Hghtest and warmest ever 

 used. In my own bag, vv'eighing ten and one-fourth pounds, 

 I have slept comfortably out upon the open snow, with no 

 shelter whatever and the thermometer at— 41°, wearing inside 

 the bag only undergarments. During the inland-ice journey, 

 throughout which the temperature was never more than a 

 degree or two below zero, our sleeping-bags were discarded, 

 our fur clothing being ample protection for us when asleep, 

 even though I carried no tent. 



While the variety of food was not as great as it has been 

 on some other expeditions, I doubt if any party ever had more 

 healthy or nutritious fare. A carefully studied feature of my 

 project was the entire dependence upon the game of the 

 Whale Sound region for my meat supply ; and though I took 

 an abundance of tea, coffee, sugar, milk, flour, corn-meal, and 

 evaporated fruits and vegetables, my canned meats were only 

 sufficient to carry us over the period of installation, with a 

 small supply for short sledge journeys. In this respect, as in 

 others, my plans were fortunate of fulfilment, and we were 

 always well supplied with venison. With fresh meat and 

 fresh bread every day we could smile defiance at scurvy. 



