X9xi1 A MOST GALLANT STORY 367 
in darkness is something new ; that they should have 
persisted in this effort in spite of every adversity for five 
full weeks is heroic. It makes a tale for our generation 
which I hope may not be lost in the telling. 
Moreover the material results are by no means despic- 
able. We shall know now when that extraordinary bird 
the Emperor penguin lays its eggs, and under what 
conditions ; but even if our information remains meagre 
concerning its embryology, our party has shown the nature 
of the conditions which exist on the Great Barrier in 
winter. Hitherto we have only imagined their severity ; 
now we have proof, and a positive light is thrown on 
the local climatology of our Strait. 
Experience of Sledging Rations and Equipment 
For our future sledge work several points have been 
most satisfactorily settled. The party went on a very 
simple food ration in different and extreme proportions ; 
they took pemmican, butter, biscuit, and tea only. After 
a short experience they found that Wilson, who had 
arranged for the greatest quantity of fat, had too much 
of it, and C.-G., who had gone for biscuit, had more than 
he could eat. A middle course was struck which gave a 
general proportion agreeable to all, and at the same time 
suited the total quantities of the various articles carried. 
In this way we have arrived at a simple and suitable 
ration for the inland plateau. The only change suggested 
is the addition of cocoa for the evening meal. The party 
