SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [September 
from the weight of snow upon it. This was continually 
removed and as continually was replaced by the next 
blizzard. During the remainder of this month several trips 
were made by the dog teams to Hut Point, taking down 
stores. The ponies also were given extra food so as to get 
them in better condition for their trip on the Barrier. 
It was proposed after the previous year to make their 
allowance ii lbs. per mule per day, a ration consisting of 
oil cake and oats in the proportion of two of oil cake to one 
of oats. 
On September 26 we had a partial eclipse of the moon 
which we saw very clearly. The maximum shadow fell 
just before midnight, and we thought we should be unable 
to see it, for the moon rose behind clouds to the north of 
Erebus, but it cleared in time and Nelson was able to get 
his telescope fixed up. Our winter now was practically 
ended. With the return of light the health and cheerful- 
ness of the party, which had been excellent throughout, 
improved still more, and we knew now that only a month 
intervened before we should be away on the Barrier. 
Scientific work had been carried on througliout tlie winter, 
although in certain branches this had been necessarily 
prohibited by the absence of sea ice. 
On October 12 Debenham, Dcmetri, Clierry-Garrard, 
and I went down to Hut Point, and on October 14 took 
the two dog teams out to lay a depot 12 miles south of 
Corner Camp. TJiis consisted mainly of pony and dog 
food and was essential in order to relieve the ponies over 
the first four days of the journey, on wliich they would 
have to encounter heavy surfaces. On the return, as one 
