INTRODUCTION. XV 
be effaced from my mind. The unfortunate 
death of Mr. Hood is the only drawback 
which I feel from the otherwise unalloyed 
pleasure I derived from reflecting on that 
cordial unanimity which at all times pre- 
vailed among us in the days of sunshine, 
and in those of “ sickness and sorrow.” 
To Dr. Richardson, in particular, the 
exclusive merit is due of whatever collec- 
tions and observations have been made in 
the department of Natural History; and I 
ai indebted to him in no small degree for 
his friendly advice and assistance in the 
preparation of the present narrative. 
The charts and drawings were made by 
Lieutenant Back, and the late Lieutenant 
Hood. Both these gentlemen cheerfully 
and ably assisted me in making the ob- 
servations and in the daily conduct of 
the Expedition. The observations made 
by Mr. Hood, on the various phenomena 
presented by the Aurora Borealis*, will, it 
is presumed, present to the reader some — 
new facts connected with this meteor. Mr. 
* Given in the Appendix to the Quarto Edition. 
