i 9 io] SKI-ING AND SLEDGING ON THE FLOES 
37 
to tell from what direction it comes ; one can simply 
note that the ship and brash ice swing to and fro, 
bumping into the floe. 
We opened the ice-house to-day, and found the meat 
in excellent condition — most of it still frozen. 
Thursday, December 15.— 66° 23' S. 177 0 59' W. Sit. N. z% 
E. 5^'. In the morning the conditions were unaltered. 
Went for a ski run before breakfast. It makes a wonderful 
difference to get the blood circulating by a little exercise. 
After breakfast we served out ski to the men of the 
landing party. They are all very keen to learn, and Gran 
has been out morning and afternoon giving instruction. 
Meares got some of his dogs out and a sledge — two 
lots of seven; those that looked in worst condition (and 
several arc getting very fat) were tried. They were very 
short of wind; it is difficult to understand how they can 
get so fat, as they only get two and a half biscuits a day 
at the most. The ponies are looking very well on the 
whole, especially those in the outside stalls. 
Rcnnick got a sounding to-day 1,844 fathoms ; 
reversible thermometers were placed close to bottom and 
500 fathoms up. We shall get a very good scries of 
temperatures from the bottom up during the wait. Nelson 
will try to get some more current observations to-night or 
to-morrow. 
It is very trying to find oneself continually drifting 
north, but one is thankful not to be going east. 
To-night it has fallen calm and the floes have decidedly 
opened ; there is a lot of water about the ship, but it does 
not look to extend far. Meanwhile the brash and thinner 
