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AURORA AUSTRALIS. our gaze more than had been the bane of our march these last 250 miles, since leaving Mt. Lister behind.

Why we had ever come to choose our present route to the South–S.S.W. over the Victoria Land Plateau—seemed impossible of explanation. It was generally believed, however, that the strength of the meteorological element had prevailed in this decision, as it was decidedly a chance to get abundance of high level data.

Some of the more outspoken, irritated by the monotony of the journey, now expressed themselves in no measured terms regarding the alteration of the original plans. More especially had discontent arisen because of the fact that this had entailed the substitution of man power to the extent of the combined strength of the expedition in place of the ponies.

Today the march proved more interesting, as scarcely had we got properly under way, before the Commander drew our attention to a peculiar appearance in the sky, somewhat to the west of our course. It was like nothing he had had experience of in this latitude during his previous exploration with Captain Scott along the Great Ice Barrier.

Resembling open water, it suggested possibilities we had never till now entertained. As the day wore