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in the floor of the dark room and a kenyte boulder embedded in it, upon which the pendulum was set. With this arrangement he was able to take his observations more accurately and in greater comfort.

By this time the weather seemed to have broken and we had an almost continuous series of blizzards. Meanwhile we had noticed one peculiarity about the mules. The ponies in the previous year had refused to go out when there was any wind and drift blowing. The mules, on the other hand, objected strongly by kicking their stable and squealing if they were not taken out for exercise under these conditions.

On the 19th preparations were begun for our celebrations of Midwinter Day on June 22. Debenham was busy making the slides for a lantern lecture. Gran and Williamson were busy behind a blanket making a Christmas tree. This consisted of a central bamboo with lateral stems and the whole imbedded in a pot of gravel. There was a present for everyone with an appropriate oration on its presentation. The whole was lighted with electric light, by arrangement with the physicist.

On June 22, Midwinter Day, Cherry-Garrard, our editor, presented us with another number of the South Polar Times, and the remainder of the afternoon was spent as a holiday in reading this, playing bagatelle, or making preparations for a happy evening. The whole hut was decorated with the Christmas tree, sledging flags, and some red bunting. A large white ensign was hung over all as a canopy. Nelson presented each member with a