The pressure was, therefore, greatest at the spring tides, when it would often lift the vessel several feet, only to let it drop back again into its former position as soon as the ice again opened. In the case of any other vessel this pressure would have been utterly fatal; but the Fram surpassed our boldest expectations, and was superior to all pressure. The ice piled itself up, and crashed against her sides with a noise like the crack of doom, but in vain. There was not a sound of the yielding of timbers or wood. The noise of the ice crushing against her sides often rose to such a pitch that we could not hear each other speak as we sat in the saloon. It was particularly awkward for the card-players, who thus could not hear each other's declarations. SAFE AS IX A FORTRESS. At first, as long as the crew were un accustomed to this, they found the scene so interesting that they remained on deck to watch it Tbut they soon tired of it, and no longer went up, however bad the pressure was. We felt as safe as iu a fortress, and the Fram was a comfortable, warm nest, where nothing was felt of the severity of the Polar winter. TEMPERATURES. The temperature fell rapidly, and con tinued evenly low throughout the winter. i During many weeks the quicksilver was frozen. The lowest temperature was Mdeg below zero. In spite of this, and although I with this- temperature there was often a wind, we felt quite comfortable, during our I open-air excursion?, in our good woollen ! clothing, with a covering of wind-proof materia.! outside. The Fram was so well I protected against the cold that even in these I low temperatures we had no tire in the saloon until the New Year. i.ii;iit. All the men were in excellent; health during the whole of the expedition, and we are all agreed that the Polar Sea is a healthy place, especially with such a capital sana torium as the Fram. The electric light was produced by means of the windmill, and quite fulfilled our expectations. There was not, however, outheieiit wind to allow of our having elec tric light all the time, and we then had to con tent ourselves with ordinary oil lamps. LIFE OX KOARK. 