i9ii] PROSPECTS OF THE MOTOR SLEDGES 405 
It is good to have arrived at a point where one can 
run over facts and figures again and again without detecting 
a flaw or foreseeing a difficulty. 
I do not count on the motors — that is a strong point 
in our case — but should they work well our earlier task 
of reaching the Glacier will be made quite easy. Apart 
from such help I am anxious that these machines should 
enjoy some measure of success and justify the time, money, 
and thought which have been given to their construction. 
I am still very confident of the possibility of motor traction, 
whilst realising that reliance cannot be placed on it in its 
present untried evolutionary state — it is satisfactory to 
add that my own view is the most cautious one held in 
our party. Day is quite convinced he will go a long way 
and is prepared to accept much heavier weights than I 
have given him. Lashly's opinion is perhaps more 
doubtful, but on the whole hopeful. Clissold is to make 
the fourth man of the motor party. I have already men- 
tioned his mechanical capabilities. He has had a great 
deal of experience with motors, and Day is delighted to 
have his assistance. 
We had two lectures last week — the first from Deben- 
ham dealing with General Geology and having special 
reference to the structures of our region. It cleared up a 
good many points in my mind concerning the gneissic 
base rocks, the Beacon sandstone, and the dolerite in- 
trusions. I think we shall be in a position to make fairly 
good field observations when we reach the southern land. 
The scientific people have taken keen interest in making 
their lectures interesting, and the custom has grown of 
