not the practice before. But a bear having once been on board and taken off two of our precious animals, we don't want any more such visitors. "On July 31st 'Kvik' again increased our population by bringing eleven puppies into the world, one of which was deformed, and was at once killed; two others died later, but most of them grew up and became fine, handsome animals. They are still living. "Few or no incidents occurred during this time, except, naturally, the different red-letter days were celebrated with great ceremony." May 17th [50] we observed with special pomp, the following description of which I find in my journal: "Friday, May 18th. May 17th was celebrated yesterday with all possible festivity. In the morning we were awakened with organ music--the enlivening strains of the 'College Hornpipe.' After this a splendid breakfast off smoked salmon, ox tongues, etc., etc. The whole ship's company wore bows of ribbon in honor of the day--even old 'Suggen' had one round his tail. The wind whistled, and the Norwegian flag floated on high, fluttering bravely at the mast-head. About 11 o'clock the company assembled with their banners on the ice on the port side of the ship, and the procession arranged itself in order. First of all came the leader of the expedition with the 'pure' Norwegian flag; [51] after him Sverdrup with the Fram's pennant, which, with its 'FRAM' on a red ground, 3 fathoms long, looked splendid. Next came a dog-sledge, with the band (Johansen with the accordion), and Mogstad, as coach-man; after them came the mate with rifles and harpoons, Henriksen carrying a long harpoon; then Amundsen and Nordahl, with a red banner. The doctor followed, with a demonstration flag in favor of a normal working-day. It consisted of a woollen jersey, with the letters 'N. A.' [52] embroidered on the breast, and at the top of a very long pole it looked most impressive. After him followed our chef, Juell, with 'peik's' [53] saucepan on his back; and then came the meteorologists, with a curious apparatus, consisting of a large tin scutcheon, across which was fastened a red band, with the letters 'Al. St.,' signifying 'almindelig stemmeret,' or 'universal suffrage.' [54]