iv PREFACE. 



occupied much of his attention. This, therefore, it is presumed, wUl 

 be considered as highly important. 



The arguments adduced to prove the practicabihty of a north- 

 west passage are supported by facts not hitherto examined, and are 

 of such weight as to give confidence in their accuracy. The accom- 

 plishment of this great object must be evidently of vast benefit to the 

 commercial interests of Great Britain, and cannot fail to interest the 

 reader, as the expectation of its discovery, excited in some measure 

 by the fortunate voyage here related, has induced the govenuuent 

 to fit out ships for a voyage of discoverj-, vvliich after aU may not 

 be as fortunate. For the interests of science and of humanity, may 

 it be still more so ! 



Phenomena of atmosphere, new to men of science, and of im- 

 portant value in natural history, with accurate drawings, may also be 

 very confidently held forth as objects worthy of attention. 



With regard, then, to points most important to public information, 

 as well as in gratification of the feeling which led the author into 

 the arctic regions — the general influence of seasons on the lunnan 

 species in high northern latitudes, and in countries undoubtedly 

 insular — the migratory animals frequenting those cUniates — the 

 natural phenomena of atmosphere, and the ascertainment of magnetic 

 variation — with regard to these, this work, in jjresenting facts, 

 leaves little to conjecture, less to speculation. 



Aware of the system, by which, according to law, tlie Govern- 

 ment is furnished with a log returned from each shij) employed in 

 the " Greenland fisheries " — a log calculated to support pliilosophical 

 inquiry, only by reciting an exhibition of voyage by no means pre- 

 judical to the ship-owner's interest, and (juite enough for the Govern- 

 ment to know when additioJial 7'evenue is the object to be recorded 



