i 9 ii] PONIES SUFFER IN A BLIZZARD 457 
soon, but it is satisfactory to find the dogs will pull the 
loads and can be driven to face such a wind as we have 
had. It shows that they ought to be able to help us a 
good deal. 
The tents and sledges are badly drifted up, and the 
drifts behind the pony walls have been dug out several 
times. I shall be glad indeed to be on the march again, 
and oh ! for a little sun. The ponies are all quite warm 
when covered by their rugs. Some of the fine drift snow 
finds its way under the rugs, and especially under the 
broad belly straps ; this melts and makes the coat wet 
if allowed to remain. It is not easy to understand at first 
why the blizzard should have such a withering effect on 
the poor beasts. I think it is mainly due to the exceeding 
fineness of the snow particles, which, like finely divided 
powder, penetrate the hair of the coat and lodge in the 
inner warmths. Here it melts, and as water carries off the 
animal heat. Also, no doubt, it harasses the animals by 
the bombardment of the fine flying particles on tender 
places such as nostrils, eyes, and to lesser extent ears. 
In this way it continually bothers them, preventing rest. 
Of all things the most important for horses is that 
conditions should be placid whilst they stand tethered. 
Wednesday, November 8. — Camp 5. Wind with over- 
cast threatening sky continued to a late hour last night. 
The question of starting was open for a long time, and 
many were unfavourable. I decided we must go, and 
soon after midnight the advance guard got away. To 
my surprise, when the rugs were stripped from the 6 crocks ' 
they appeared quite fresh and fit. Both Jehu and 
