SOMADe 171 
The Samoyeds were much mystified at the trouble I 
took about these plants, not being able to imagine to 
what use I would put them. Although they have dis- 
tinct names for many of the birds, the plants, except 
the edible forms, are all lumped together as ‘omdoh.’ 
which is to say, ‘a flower.’ 
July 3th.—During the night a big wind arose. It 
grew and grew until it raged all day, a gale with rain and 
snow. A vile day: you could not walk; to go out was 
to be almost blinded. 
And now, for the first time, I lost faith in the tent 
It was one of those known as ‘ Whymper’ tents, which 
are contrived for Alpine work. They are made of 
‘Willesden’ canvas, recommended as waterproof. These 
tents are excellent in dry and still weather, but in a wind 
the sides bulged in badly. I always thought that this 
might be met bya portable set of ribs; but how they 
could be fortified against rain with wind I do not know. 
Rain which falls quietly runs off well enough, but driving 
rain comes straight through. Very soon, then, the tent 
was flooded ; and for the rest of the day we were fighting 
the water, making what contrivances we might for guiding 
runnels clear of our things. By putting blocks under the 
floor we just managed to keep a corner dry where we 
would sleep. 
Not doing this, we were skinning and blowing eggs; 
and it was a great disappointment to find that two grey 
