CHRISTCHURCH, December 9.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 53

CHRISTCHURCH, December 9.

Shortly after the Antarctic exploring 6hip Nimrod arrived, some of her officers eet out on an excursion to Mount Cook. Dr W. A. Michel, the ship's surgeon; Dr A. F. Maokay, the surgeon to the landing party, and a zoologist: and Mr James Murray, the biologist to the expedition, formed the party. Dr Mackay has returned to Christchurch, but" the other two have gone further south, intending, if they have, time, to see the southern lakes. Dr Mackay, who was eeen by a reporter, said that the party had enjoyed the holiday extremely. It was one of the pleasantcst he had ever experienced. They went to Pairlie, and set out on foot for Mount Cook. They had been told that the journey would pro bably be a cool one, but it turned out very hot, and the combination of heavy roads, hot weather, and poor form after "the long voyage made them give up after reaching Lake Tekapo, and the Test of the trip was done in the motor service. At Mount Cook the party had a most enjoyable time. Mr Murray occupied hinvelf with some biological research, and was successful in discovering at number of forms of small life, 24- species of Rotifera, of the order Bdelloida, and 10 Tardigrada, or water bears, were found and noted by him. In both groups most of the species yet found are known in Scotland, but a great many of the commonest Scotch species have not yet been eoen in New Zealand. A few of the Ronfera have only previously been found in India, and one only of the water bears has been discovered in South Africa; while one of the Rotifera -Mr Murray believes to be new to science. As a great many of the species have only recently been found in ether lands, Mr Murray believes it to bo unlikely that they are yet on record as New Zealand natives. Dr Mackay spent his time in climbing, being an enthusiastic mountaineer. While in high, altitudes ho collected some messes, arid of them a few are suspected to be unique. Ho stated that in his previous experience, although he had done some high climbing, and had dorre a ~ood Jeal of work over snow, he had never gone over so much solid ice before. He and two guides ascended the Nun's Veil, a peak of 8975 ft high, never before climbed- They found that its ascent was not difficult. ,'The reason for its not previously having been attempted, ho thought, was that the peak :e a little out of the way, and the climb looks \ery stiff from the Hermitage. The party took a route up a gorge, and found an easy route up the south-west side; but it was also found that there was an apparently quite practicable loute up the side nest the Hermitage. The view from the summit was very fine, and included a magnificent aspect of Mount Cook. The party took two days' over tho trip, but Dr Mackay said that the shorter route should enable the climb to be done in ono long day. The holiday set them up completely, and instead of further troubling the motor Dr Mackay and Dr Michel walked back to Fairlie. The creatures discovered by Mr Murray have hitherto easily escaped observation, because they are only visible with a microscope, arid dwell in unooneidered pon<le of water. They are animals endowed with powers of locomotion, and one of the most striking characteristics of the Rotnera is that they may be dried, heated, or chilled without being killed, and if put into water wiil again come to life.