18 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [Dkcbmblr 
the new interest of the geology of Terror, besides minor 
facilities, such as the getting of ice, stones for shelters, 
&c. The disadvantages mainly consist in the possible 
difficulty of landing stores — a swell would make things 
very unpleasant, and might possibly prevent the landing 
of the horses and motors. Then again it would be certain 
that some distance of bare rock would have to be traversed 
before a good snow surface was reached from the hut, and 
possibly a climb of 300 or 400 feet would intervene. 
Again, it might be difficult to handle the ship whilst stores 
were being landed, owing to current, bergs, and floe ice. 
It remains to be seen, but the prospect is certainly alluring. 
At a pinch we could land the ponies in McMurdo Sound 
and let them walk round. 
The sun is shining brightly this afternoon, everything 
is drying, and I think the swell continues to subside. 
Tuesday, December 6. — Lat. 59 0 7'. Long. 1 77 0 51' E. 
Made good S. 17 E. 153; 457' to Circle. The promise 
of yesterday has been fulfilled, the swell has continued to 
subside, and this afternoon we go so steadily that we have 
much comfort. I am truly thankful mainly for the sake 
of the ponies ; poor things, they look thin and scraggy 
enough, but generally brighter and fitter. There is no 
doubt the forecastle is a bad place for them, but in any 
case some must have gone there. The four midship 
ponies, which were expected to be subject to the worst 
conditions, have had a much better time than their fellows. 
A few ponies have swollen legs, but all arc feeding well. 
The wind failed in the morning watch and later a faint 
breeze came from the eastward ; the barometer has been 
