adlands
succeeding one another into the distance. True bearings to these points
were obtained from the camp, and, subsequently, with the help of an
observation secured on the 'Aurora' during the previous year, the
trend of the glacier-tongue was determined. Hodgeman made a series of
illustrative sketches.

On November 21 the party commenced the return journey, moving directly
towards Madigan Nunatak to the south-west. This nunatak had been sighted
for the first time on the outward march, and there was much speculation
as to what the rock would prove to be. A gradual descent for seven miles
brought them on to a plain, almost at sea-level, continuous with the
valley they had crossed on the 19th further to the east. On the far side
of the plain a climb was commenced over some ice-spurs, and then a broad
field of crevasses was encountered, some of which attained a width of
fifty yards. Delayed by these and by unfavourable weather, they did not
reach Madigan Nunatak until the evening of November 20.

The outcrop--a jagged crest of rock--was found to be one hundred and
sixty yards long and thirty yards wide, placed at an altitude of two
thousand four hundred feet above sea-level. It is composed of grey
quartzose gneiss.

There were no signs of recent glaciation or of ice-striae, though the
rock was much weathered, and all the cracks and joint-planes were filled
with disintegrating material. The weathering was excessive and peculiar
in contrast with that observed on fresh exposures near the Hut and at
other localities near sea-level.

After collecting specimens and placing a small depot of food on the
highest point, the party continued their way to the Hut, reaching it on
November 27.

At Winter Quarters noticeable changes had taken place. The harbour ice
had broken back for several hundred yards and was rotten and ready
to blow out in the first strong wind; marked thawing had occurred
everywhere, and many islands of rock emerged from the snow; the ice-foot
was diminishing; penguins, seals, and flying birds made the place, for
once, alive and busy.

Bickerton, Whetter and Hannam carried on the routine of work; Whetter as
meteorologist and Hannam as magnetician, while Bickerton was busied with
the air-tractor and in preparations for sledging. Thousands of penguins'
eggs had been gathered for the return voyage of the 'Aurora', or in case
of detention for a second winter.

Murphy, Hunter and Laseron arrived from the sout