X9ii] PONY PARASITES 345 
in returning. Everything goes to confirm the fact that 
he had a very close shave of being lost altogether. 
For some time past some of the ponies have had 
great irritation of the skin. I felt sure it was due to some 
parasite, though the Soldier thought the food responsible 
and changed it. 
To-day a tiny body louse was revealed under Atkin- 
son's microscope after capture from i Snatcher's ' coat. 
A dilute solution of carbolic is expected to rid the poor 
beasts of their pests, but meanwhile one or two of them 
have rubbed off patches of hair which they can ill afford 
to spare in this climate. I hope we shall get over the 
trouble quickly. 
The day has been gloriously fine again, with bright 
moonlight all the afternoon. It was a wondrous sight to 
see Erebus emerge from soft filmy clouds of mist as though 
some thin veiling had been withdrawn with infinite delicacy 
to reveal the pure outline of this moonlit mountain. 
Thursday, July 6, continued. — The temperature has 
taken a plunge — to -46 0 last night. It is now -45 0 , with 
a ten-mile breeze from the south. Frostbiting weather ! 
Went for a short run on foot this forenoon and a longer 
one on ski this afternoon. The surface is bad after the 
recent snowfall. A new pair of sealskin overshoes for 
ski made by Evans seem to be a complete success. He 
lias modified the shape of the toe to fit the ski irons better. 
I am very pleased with this arrangement. 
I find it exceedingly difficult to settle down to solid 
work just at present and keep putting off the tasks which 
I have set myself. 
