I9U] 
CONTINUED WINDS 
287 
parasites seem to have descended from free living beasts. 
One asks 1 what is degeneration ? ' without receiving a 
very satisfactory answer. After all, such terms must 
be empirical. 
Thursday, May 25. — It has been blowing from south 
with heavy gusts and snow, temperature extraordinarily 
high, -6°. This has been a heavy gale. The weather 
conditions are certainly very interesting ; Simpson has 
again called attention to the wind in February, March, 
and April at Cape Evans — the record shows an extra- 
ordinary large percentage of gales. It is quite certain 
that we scarcely got a fraction of the wind on the Barrier 
and doubtful if we got as much as Hut Point. 
Friday, May 26. — A calm and clear day — a nice change 
from recent weather. It makes an enormous difference 
to the enjoyment of this life if one is able to get out and 
stretch one's legs every day. This morning I went up the 
Ramp. No sign of open water, so that my fears for a 
broken highway in the coming season are now at rest. In 
future gales can only be a temporary annoyance — anxiety 
as to their result is finally allayed. 
This afternoon I searched out ski and ski sticks and 
went for a short run over the floe. The surface is quite 
good since the recent snowfall and wind. This is satis- 
factory, as sledging can now be conducted on ordinary 
lines, and if convenient our parties can pull on ski. The 
young ice troubles of April and May have passed away. 
It is curious that circumstances caused us to miss them 
altogether during our stay in the Discovery. 
We are living extraordinarily well. At dinner last 
