The Winter in Victoria Land. 127 
Both during the time the sun was low in its 
descent and when it rose again, a strong mirage 
effect was observed towards the west, showing 
images of icebergs far below our horizon, and 
Antarctic scenery only visible to us through this 
phenomenon. This strong mirage remained after the 
sun's return late in the summer, and the opening 
of the ice was prophesied to us in the mirage long 
before the ice-fields near Victoria Land broke. 
It was very interesting to see the picture of 
far-away broken ice-fields, with their dark channels 
and towering icebergs, in the north-western sky ; and 
ANTARCTIC MONARCHS. 
on several occasions towards the time when the 
vessel was expected back, members of my staff 
returned to the camp in enthusiasm, thinking to 
