meteorological problem is one which can only be fully discussed when
all the manifold observations have been gathered together, from other
contemporary Antarctic expeditions, from our two stations on the
Antarctic continent, and from Macquarie Island; all taken in conjunction
with weather conditions around Australia and New Zealand. Then, when all
the evidence is arrayed and compared, some general truths of particular
value to science and, maybe, to commerce, should emerge.

Of one thing we were certain, and that was that Adelie Land was the
windiest place in the world. To state the fact more accurately: such
wind-velocities as prevail at sea-level in Adelie Land are known in
other parts of the world only at great elevations in the atmosphere.
The average wind-velocity for our first year proved to be approximately
fifty miles per hour. The bare figures convey more when they are
compared with the following average annual wind-velocities quoted from a
book of reference: Europe, 10.3 miles per hour; United States, 9.5 miles
per hour; Southern Asia, 6.5 miles per hour; West Indies, 6.2 miles per
hour.

Reference has already been made to the fact that often the high winds
ceased abruptly for a short interval. Many times during 1913 we had
opportunities of judging this phenomenon and, as an example, may be
quoted September 6.

[TEXT ILLUSTRATION]

A diagrammatic sketch illustrating the meteorological conditions at the
main base, noon, September 6, 1913

On that day a south-by-east hurricane fell off and the drift cleared
suddenly from about the Hut at 11.20 A.M. On the hills to the south
there was a dense grey wall of flying snow. Whirlies tracked about at
intervals and overhead a fine cumulus cloud formed, revolving rapidly.
Over the recently frozen sea there was an easterly breeze, while about
the Hut itself there were light northerly airs. Later in the day the
zone of southern wind and drift crept down and once more overwhelmed us.
Evidently the "eye" of a cyclonic storm had passed over.

During September the sea was frozen over for more than two weeks,
and the meteorological conditions varied from their normal phase. It
appeared as if we were situated on the battlefield, so to speak, of
opposing forces. The pacific influence of the "north" would hold sway
for a few hours, a whole day, or even for a few days. Then the vast
energies of the "south" would rise to bursting-point and a "through
blizzard" would be the r