he atmosphere were almost solid snow.

[TEXT ILLUSTRATION]

A comparison of wind-velocities and temperatures prevailing at Cape
Royds, Mcmurdo Sound, and at winter quarters, Adelie Land, during the
months of May and June

At the time of plotting only the above two months were available, but
they are enough to illustrate the unusually severe winter conditions of
Adelie Land. The data for Cape Royds is that supplied by the Shackleton
Expedition. The solid black line refers to Adelie Land, the broken line
to Cape Royds. It will be noted that whereas the average temperature
conditions are closely similar at both stations, only on three days
during the period did the average wind velocity at Cape Royds reach that
of the lowest daily value of Adelie Land.

Picture drift so dense that daylight comes through dully, though,
maybe, the sun shines in a cloudless sky; the drift is hurled, screaming
through space at a hundred miles an hour, and the temperature is below
zero, Fahrenheit.** You have then the bare, rough facts concerning
the worst blizzards of Adelie Land. The actual experience of them is
another thing.

** Temperatures as low as -28 degrees F.
(60 degrees below freezing-point) were experienced in hurricane winds,
which blew at a velocity occasionally exceeding one hundred miles per
hour. Still air and low temperatures, or high winds and moderate
temperatures, are well enough; but the combination of high winds and low
temperatures is difficult to bear.

Shroud the infuriated elements in the darkness of a polar night, and the
blizzard is presented in a severer aspect. A plunge into the writhing
storm-whirl stamps upon the senses an indelible and awful impression
seldom equalled in the whole gamut of natural experience. The world a
void, grisly, fierce and appalling. We stumble and struggle through
the Stygian gloom; the merciless blast--an incubus of vengeance--stabs,
buffets and freezes; the stinging drift blinds and chokes. In a ruthless
grip we realize that we are

poor windlestraws
On the great, sullen, roaring pool of Time.

It may well be imagined that none of us went out on these occasions
for the pleasure of it. The scientific work required all too frequent
journeys to the instruments at a distance from the Hut, and, in
addition, supplies of ice and stores had to be brought in, while the
dogs needed constant attention.

Every morning, Madigan visited all the m