erwise, only too well
endorsing the scanty information supplied by D'Urville and Wilkes of
the coastline seen by them. A glance at the austere plateau and the
ice-fettered coast was evidence of a rigid, inhospitable climate. It
was apparent, too, that only a short summer could be expected in these
latitudes, thus placing limitations upon our operations.

If three bases were to be landed it was important that they should be
spread at sufficiently wide intervals. If one were placed in Adelie
Land, the ship would probably have to break through the pack in
establishing each of the other two ba ses. Judging by our previous
experience there was no certain prospect of this being effected. The
successful landing of three bases in suitable positions, sufficiently
far apart for advantageous co-operation in geographical, meteorological
and other observations, had now become problematical. In addition, one
of the parties was not as strong as I would have liked, considering what
would be undoubtedly its strenuous future.

For some days the various phases of the situation had occupied my mind,
and I now determined to risk two bases, combining the smallest of the
three parties with the Main Base. Alterations in the personnel of the
third party were also made, by which the Main Base would be increased in
strength for scientific work, and the other party under the leadership
of Wild would be composed of men of specially good sledging calibre,
besides being representative of the leading branches of our scientific
programme.

We had a splendid lot of men, and I had no difficulty in choosing for
Wild seven companions who could be relied upon to give a good account of
themselves. It was only by assuring myself of their high efficiency that
I could expect to rest from undue anxiety throughout the year of our
separation. The composition of the two parties was as follows:

Main Base: R. Bage, F. H. Bickerton, J. H. Close, P. E. Correll, W. H.
Hannam, A. J. Hodgeman, J. G. Hunter, J. F. Hurley, C. F. Laseron, C.
T. Madigan, A. L. McLean, X. Mertz, H. D. Murphy, B. E. S. Ninnis, F. L.
Stillwell, E. N. Webb, L. H. Whetter and myself.

Western Party: G. Dovers, C. T. Harrisson, C. A. Hoadley, S. E. Jones,
A. L. Kennedy, M. H. Moyes, A. D. Watson, and F. Wild (leader).

I was now anxious to find a suitable location for our Main Base; two
reasons making it an urgent matter. The first was, that as we advanced
to the west we were leaving the Sou