AS OBSERVED IN THE WEDDELL SEA. 
815 
the Antarctic (fig. 7). From January 16 till January 22, 1916, a fierce blizzard blew 
for six days from S. W. by. S. Despite this the floe on which the camp was situated 
drifted N. by E., i.e. two points more to the left than the wind. This was no doubt 
an extreme case ; but it is worth noting that the trend of the Graham Land coast 
immediately to the west did not make things any easier for ice to move to the left. 
The track of the ice-drift was influenced by three factors in all : — (a) the wind ; 
(b) a left-hand component due to the earth’s rotation ; and (c) a true current. The 
unsolved problem is the amount and direction of the last factor in the Weddell Sea. 
Nansen’s method might, however, be used, namely : — To lay off on squared paper 
lines representing the wind’s direction and force at 
each observation (i.e. every four hours), the length 
of each line being proportional to the strength of 
the wind. When this is done an irregular track 
should result (not unlike the drift of the ice) which 
may cross itself at certain points. At these points, 
accordingly, the wind resultant for the period in 
question should be nil ; the left-hand component 
should also be neutralised ; and the distance, 
therefore, which the ship has travelled in the 
interval, as determined by observations, should 
be entirely due to the true current. The third 
factor should therefore be kept in mind when 
examining the drift chart of the Endurance. At 
first sight it looks as if wind were the only agent 
responsible, but it should not be forgotten that a 
true current, not determined as yet and perhaps 
only of limited extent, is quite within the bounds of possibility. 
So far as drift control by wind went, it was possibly the result simply of 
’long-shore winds. When one studies in this connection the Deutschland and 
Endurance tracks wherever they are near known coasts, it will be seen that the 
ships’ tracks and the coast adjoining are approximately parallel. The abrupt change 
in the general direction of the two courses between 72° and 74° S. lat. may mean, 
therefore, that the coast of the unknown land to the south-west also shows a similar 
change in direction. It also makes it improbable that there is any strait separating 
Graham Land from the rest of Antarctica. 
Westerly Antarctic Drift. — The most striking feature of the Deutschland drift, 
apart from the kink mentioned above, is the equally abrupt easterly deflection in 
65° S., where the ice looks, indeed, as if it had come under the influence of the 
westerly winds. This would be an unusually high latitude in which to meet the 
westerlies, and it is probable that there is some other reason for the behaviour here ; 
for after a time the general direction of the! Deutschland drift again becomes 
