AURORA AUSTRALIS.
oldest crater of Erebus, and no doubt, marked the position of its old rim, partly buried at this spot under the material produced by later eruptions. We noticed at this second camp, and for over a mile before reaching it, small black fragments of very fresh volcanic slag lying on the surface of what appeared to be this year’s snow. Here the fragments were as big as a cricket ball, and about a mile nearer to Erebus an occasional piece might be seen as large as a football: these were obviously volcanic bombs, and are evidence that Erebus has probably been producing a little lava within its crater either this year, or at all events only a very short time ago.
On the following morning Lieutenant Adams decided that the supporting party might accompany the main party in the final attempt to reach the summit. We accordingly made a depôt of our sledge and of part of the provisions, as well as of the tent poles, floor cloths of the tents, and part of the cooking utensils, and marked the spot with a black flag on a bamboo pole. We each had to carry a weight of about forty pounds, consisting chiefly of sleeping bags, two tents, and rations for three days. Dr. Marshall having photographed us, we filed off in a procession more bizarre than beautiful. Some of us with our sleeping bags
