i9"] GENERAL ACTIVITY 417 
hut is more drifted up than it has ever been, huge piles 
of snow behind every heap of boxes, &c., all our paths a 
foot higher ; yet in spite of this the rocks are rather 
freer of snow. This is due to melting, which is now quite 
considerable. Wilson tells me the first signs of thaw were 
seen on the 17th. 
Yesterday the weather gradually improved, and to-day 
has been fine and warm again. One fine day in eight 
is the record immediately previous to this morning. 
E. R. Evans, Debenham, and Gran set off to the Turk's 
Head on Friday morning, Evans to take angles and Deben- 
ham to geologise ; they have been in their tent pretty well 
all the time since, but have managed to get through some 
work. Gran returned last night for more provisions and 
set off again this morning, Taylor going with him for the 
day. Debenham has just returned for food. He is 
immensely pleased at having discovered a huge slicken- 
sided fault in the lavas of the Turk's Head. This appears 
to be an unusual occurrence in volcanic rocks, and argues 
that they are of considerable age. He has taken a heap 
of photographs and is greatly pleased with all his geological 
observations. He is building up much evidence to show 
volcanic disturbance independent of Erebus and perhaps 
prior to its first upheaval. 
Meares has been at Hut Point for more than a week ; 
seals seem to be plentiful there now. Demetri was back 
with letters on Friday and left on Sunday. He is an 
excellent boy, full of intelligence. 
Ponting has been doing some wonderfully fine cinemato- 
graph work. My incursion into photography has brought 
VOL. t. * , 
