21& COLD UNUSUALLY TEYING. Chap. XIL 



trapped and a hare seen. Our canine force 

 numbers twenty-four serviceable dogs and six 

 puppies ; but these, I fear, will not be strong 

 enough for sledging by March. The monotony 

 of our lives is vastly increased by want of 

 occupation, and confinement, by severe gales, to 

 the ship for five days out of every seven. 

 The general health is good, but there is a 

 natural craving for fresh meat and fresh ve- 

 getables — in great measure, perhaps, because 

 they cannot be obtained ; but a well-filled letter- 

 bag would be more welcome than anything I 

 know of. 



26^A. — Upon four days only during the last 

 fourteen has the weather permitted us to walk. 

 I allude to the wind as the obstacle to our 

 exercise ; for temperature, when the air is still , 

 is no bar to any reasonable amount of it. 

 Three or four coveys of ptarmigan have been 

 seen, and of these I shot one brace. The cold 

 increases : thermometer has fallen to — 47|-°, 

 although blowing a moderate gale at the time, 

 and the atmosphere dense with mist. 



Our Christmas has been spent with a degree 

 of loyalty to the good old English custom at 

 once spirited and refreshing. All the good 

 things which could possibly be collected to- 

 gether appeared upon the snow-white deal 



