THE WORLD OF ICE. 231

and those who remained with him in the ship. Al.
the able and effective men were sent on these expedi-
tions; those who remained behind were all more or
less affected with scurvy, except the captain himself,
whose energetic nature seemed invulnerable, and whose
flow of spirits never failed. Indeed, it is probable
that to this hearty and vigorous temperament, under
God, he owed his immunity from disease; for, since
provisions began to fail, he along with all his officers
had fared precisely like the men—the few delicacies
they possessed having been reserved for the sick.
Unfortunately, their stock of lime-juice was now
getting low, and the crew had to be put on short
allowance. As this acid is an excellent anti-scorbutie,
or preventive of scurvy, as well as a cure, its rapid
diminution was viewed with much concern by all on
board. The long-continued absence of the sun, too,
now began to tell more severely than ever on men
and dogs. On the very day the expeditions took their
departure one of the latter, which had been left be-
hind on account of illness, was attacked with a strange
disease, of which several of the team eventually died
before the winter came to an end. It was scized
with spasms, and, after a few wild paroxysms, lapsed
into a lethargic state. In this condition the animal
functions went on apparently as well as usual, the
appetite continued not only good but voracious. The
disease was clearly mental. It barked furiously at
nothing, and walked in straight or curved lines per-
severingly ; or, at other times, it remained for hours