Yesterday a balloon was sent up and reached a very good height (probably 2 to 3 miles) before the instrument disengaged; the balloon went almost straight up and the silk fell in festoons over the rocky part of the Cape, affording a very difficult clue to follow; but whilst Bowers was following it, Atkinson observed the instrument fall a few hundred yards out on the Bay—­it was recovered and gives the first important record of upper air temperature.

Atkinson and Crean put out the fish trap in about 3 fathoms of water off the west beach; both yesterday morning and yesterday evening when the trap was raised it contained over forty fish, whilst this morning and this evening the catches in the same spot have been from twenty to twenty-five.  We had fish for breakfast this morning, but an even more satisfactory result of the catches has been revealed by Atkinson’s microscope.  He had discovered quite a number of new parasites and found work to last quite a long time.

Last night it came to my turn to do night watchman again, so that I shall be glad to have a good sleep to-night.

Yesterday we had a game of football; it is pleasant to mess about, but the light is failing.

Clissold is still producing food novelties; to-night we had galantine of seal—­it was excellent.

Monday, May 8—­Tuesday, May 9.—­As one of the series of lectures I gave an outline of my plans for next season on Monday evening.  Everyone was interested naturally.  I could not but hint that in my opinion the problem of reaching the Pole can best be solved by relying on the ponies and man haulage.  With this sentiment the whole company appeared to be in sympathy.  Everyone seems to distrust the dogs when it comes to glacier and summit.  I have asked everyone to give thought to the problem, to freely discuss it, and bring suggestions to my notice.  It’s going to be a tough job; that is better realised the more one dives into it.

To-day (Tuesday) Debenham has been showing me his photographs taken west.  With Wright’s and Taylor’s these will make an extremely interesting series—­the ice forms especially in the region of the Koettlitz glacier are unique.

The Strait has been frozen over a week.  I cannot understand why the Hut Point party doesn’t return.  The weather continues wonderfully calm though now looking a little unsettled.  Perhaps the unsettled look stops the party, or perhaps it waits for the moon, which will be bright in a day or two.

Any way I wish it would return, and shall not be free from anxiety till it does.

Cherry-Garrard is experimenting in stone huts and with blubber fires—­all with a view to prolonging the stay at Cape Crozier.

Bowers has placed one thermometer screen on the floe about 3/4’ out, and another smaller one above the Ramp.  Oddly, the floe temperature seems to agree with that on Wind Vane Hill, whilst the hut temperature is always 4 deg. or 5 deg. colder in calm weather.  To complete the records a thermometer is to be placed in South Bay.