For some time past some of the ponies have had great irritation of the skin.  I felt sure it was due to some parasite, though the Soldier thought the food responsible and changed it.

To-day a tiny body louse was revealed under Atkinson’s microscope after capture from ‘Snatcher’s’ coat.  A dilute solution of carbolic is expected to rid the poor beasts of their pests, but meanwhile one or two of them have rubbed off patches of hair which they can ill afford to spare in this climate.  I hope we shall get over the trouble quickly.

The day has been gloriously fine again, with bright moonlight all the afternoon.  It was a wondrous sight to see Erebus emerge from soft filmy clouds of mist as though some thin veiling had been withdrawn with infinite delicacy to reveal the pure outline of this moonlit mountain.

Thursday, July 6, continued.—­The temperature has taken a plunge—­to -46 deg. last night.  It is now -45 deg., with a ten-mile breeze from the south.  Frostbiting weather!

Went for a short run on foot this forenoon and a longer one on ski this afternoon.  The surface is bad after the recent snowfall.  A new pair of sealskin overshoes for ski made by Evans seem to be a complete success.  He has modified the shape of the toe to fit the ski irons better.  I am very pleased with this arrangement.

I find it exceedingly difficult to settle down to solid work just at present and keep putting off the tasks which I have set myself.

The sun has not yet risen a degree of the eleven degrees below our horizon which it was at noon on Midwinter Day, and yet to-day there was a distinct red in the northern sky.  Perhaps such sunset colours have something to do with this cold snap.

Friday, July 7.—­The temperature fell to -49 deg. last night—­our record so far, and likely to remain so, one would think.  This morning it was fine and calm, temperature -45 deg..  But this afternoon a 30-mile wind sprang up from the S.E., and the temperature only gradually rose to -30 deg., never passing above that point.  I thought it a little too strenuous and so was robbed of my walk.

The dogs’ coats are getting pretty thick, and they seem to take matters pretty comfortably.  The ponies are better, I think, but I shall be glad when we are sure of having rid them of their pest.

I was the victim of a very curious illusion to-day.  On our small heating stove stands a cylindrical ice melter which keeps up the supply of water necessary for the dark room and other scientific instruments.  This iron container naturally becomes warm if it is not fed with ice, and it is generally hung around with socks and mits which require drying.  I put my hand on the cylindrical vessel this afternoon and withdrew it sharply with the sensation of heat.  To verify the impression I repeated the action two or three times, when it became so strong that I loudly warned the owners of the socks, &c., of the peril of burning to which they were exposed.  Upon this Meares said, ‘But they filled the melter with ice a few minutes ago,’ and then, coming over to feel the surface himself, added, ’Why, it’s cold, sir.’  And indeed so it was.  The slightly damp chilled surface of the iron had conveyed to me the impression of excessive heat.