346 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [July 
The sun has not yet risen a degree of the eleven degrees 
below our horizon which it was at noon on Midwinter 
Day, and yet to-day there was a distinct red in the northern 
sky. Perhaps such sunset colours have something to do 
with this cold snap. 
Friday, July 7. — The temperature fell to -49 0 last 
night — our record so far, and likely to remain so, one 
would think. This morning it was fine and calm, tem- 
perature -45 0 . But this afternoon a 30-mile wind sprang 
up from the S.E., and the temperature only gradually 
rose to - 30 0 , never passing above that point. I thought 
it a little too strenuous and so was robbed of my walk. 
The dogs' coats are getting pretty thick, and they seem 
to take matters pretty comfortably. The ponies arc 
better, I think, but I shall be glad when we are sure of 
having rid them of their pest. 
I was the victim of a very curious illusion to-day. 
On our small heating stove stands a cylindrical ice melter 
which keeps up the supply of water necessary for the 
dark room and other scientific instruments. This iron 
container naturally becomes warm if it is not fed with ice, 
and it is generally hung around with socks and mits 
which require drying. I put my hand on the cylindrical 
vessel this afternoon and withdrew it sharply with the 
sensation of heat. To verify the impression I repeated 
the action two or three times, when it became so strong 
that I loudly warned the owners of the socks, &c, of the 
peril of burning to which they were exposed. Upon this 
Meares said, ' But they filled the melter with ice a few 
minutes ago/ and then, coming over to feel the surface 
