that directly south over Razor Back Island.  Everything seemed to go well, the thread, on being held, tightened and then fell slack as it should do.  It was followed for two miles or more running in a straight line for Razor Back, but within a few hundred yards of the Island it came to an end.  The searchers went round the Island to try and recover the clue, but without result.  Almost identically the same thing happened after the last ascent made, and we are much puzzled to find the cause.

The continued proximity of the south moving air currents above is very interesting.

The Crozier Party are not right yet, their feet are exceedingly sore, and there are other indications of strain.  I must almost except Bowers, who, whatever his feelings, went off as gaily as usual on the search for the balloon.

Saw a very beautiful effect on my afternoon walk yesterday:  the full moon was shining brightly from a quarter exactly opposite to the fading twilight and the icebergs were lit on one side by the yellow lunar light and on the other by the paler white daylight.  The first seemed to be gilded, while the diffused light of day gave to the other a deep, cold, greenish-blue colour—­the contrast was strikingly beautiful.

Friday, August 11.—­The long-expected blizzard came in the night; it is still blowing hard with drift.

Yesterday evening Oates gave his second lecture on ’Horse management.’  He was brief and a good deal to the point.  ’Not born but made’ was his verdict on the good manager of animals.  ’The horse has no reasoning power at all, but an excellent memory’; sights and sounds recall circumstances under which they were previously seen or heard.  It is no use shouting at a horse:  ten to one he will associate the noise with some form of trouble, and getting excited, will set out to make it.  It is ridiculous for the rider of a bucking horse to shout ‘Whoa!’—­’I know,’ said the Soldier, ‘because I have done it.’  Also it is to be remembered that loud talk to one horse may disturb other horses.  The great thing is to be firm and quiet.

A horse’s memory, explained the Soldier, warns it of events to come.  He gave instances of hunters and race-horses which go off their feed and show great excitement in other ways before events for which they are prepared; for this reason every effort should be made to keep the animals quiet in camp.  Rugs should be put on directly after a halt and not removed till the last moment before a march.

After a few hints on leading the lecturer talked of possible improvements in our wintering arrangements.  A loose box for each animal would be an advantage, and a small amount of litter on which he could lie down.  Some of our ponies lie down, but rarely for more than 10 minutes—­the Soldier thinks they find the ground too cold.  He thinks it would be wise to clip animals before the winter sets in.  He is in doubt as to the advisability of grooming.