490 Arctic and Antarctic Exploration [partii 
The expedition had two 12-ft. and thirty ordinary 
sledges, ordered at Christiania. Captain Scott was very 
anxious that his experiments with motor sledges should 
be successful, for he disliked the use of dogs or ponies, 
and hoped that motor traction would be the remedy. 
He made trials, both in the Alps and in Norway, which 
gave every hope of success, and three motor sledges were 
taken out. One was lost in landing; the other two went 
well on the surface of the barrier, and the system of 
propulsion was quite satisfactory, but their use had to be 
abandoned owing to the over-heating of the air-cooled 
engines, a defect which could undoubtedly be remedied. 
Captain Scott was quite on the right tack, and with 
more experience, his idea of polar motors will hereafter 
be made feasible, a consummation which was very dear 
to his heart. 
The financial position made a relief ship impossible, 
and it was arranged that the Terra Nova should land the 
exploring party with their provisions and a suitable house 
ready for erection, going back to New Zealand for the 
winter and returning in the next navigable season. 
The Admiralty were fairly liberal in their permission 
for naval officers and men to join the Terra Nova. 
There were four Lieutenants — Evans, Pennell, Campbell, 
and Rennick. A young Lieutenant of the Indian Marine, 
named Bowers, was also allowed to go, but in his case 
the Indian Government was the reverse of liberal. Captain 
Oates of the Inniskilling Dragoons was a volunteer, and 
an invaluable acquisition. Two naval surgeons were 
allowed to join, Dr Atkinson and Dr Levick. Dr Wilson 
of the Discovery was chief of the scientific staff and a host 
in himself. Besides the two Russians there were twelve 
men to land, all naval. Of these, five were old Discoveries. 
Lashly and Edgar Evans were Scott's companions during 
his great journey over the ice-cap. Crean and Williamson 
were also thoroughly reliable men, the former having 
been Captain Scott's coxswain in the Victorious, 
With the most complete collection of scientific instru- 
ments and appliances Captain Scott resolved to have the 
largest and most efficient scientific staff that ever left 
these shores. Instead of the two biologists of the 
Discovery he took four, Dr Wilson, Mr Nelson, Mr Cherry 
