196 Mr Scouler's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. 



Califbrnianus, with many other rare or nondescript species of 

 the Eagle tribe. 



The Hudson's Bay Company, with an honourable zeal to ad- 

 vance the knowledge of those extensive regions which are with- 

 in the sphere of their commercial exertions, were anxious to 

 have a surgeon, (in their vessel about to undertake a voyage 

 to the Columbia River,) who, in addition to his professional ac- 

 quirements, was qualified to make collections in the various 

 branches of natural history. Through the kind recommenda- 

 tions of Dr Hooker and Dr Richardson, I had the good fortune 

 to meet with the company's approbation, and was appointed to 

 visit the North West Coast of America. To the encouragement 

 of the company, and the cheerful assistance I obtained from 

 their servants, I am entirely indebted for the numerous excur- 

 sions and extensive collection I was enabled to make. As it 

 is to the Hudson's Bay Company I am indebted for the means 

 of making my collection, so, on my return, the objects I had 

 procured would have been of very little use to the public, un- 

 less I had enjoyed the assistance of Dr Hooker, and the free 

 use of his extensive library. The following paper, containing 

 an account of our voyage from London to the Gallapagos, &c. 

 will be continued in a future number, when some papers of a 

 more scientific nature may also be communicated.* 



On the 25th July 1824 we left Gravesend, with every thing 

 necessary for the preservation of plants and animals. In a me- 

 dical point of view we were also excellently supplied. Every 

 article, either of medicine or food, which could in any degree 



* While in London I received much important information from Dr 

 Richardson and Mr Menzies with respect to the countries I was about to 

 examine. The knowledge acquired from Mr Menzies was peculiarly inte- 

 resting, as he had already explored the very coast I had to visit, and cheer- 

 fully allowed me at all times to examine the plants he had collected on the 

 North West Coast, and to direct my attention to those which were most like- 

 ly to be useful when cultivated in this country. Through his advice I was 

 induced to pay particular attention to the seeds of Gualiheria Shallon, 

 which have already produced young plants in the Botanic Garden at Glas- 

 gow. Dr Richardson also gave me much instruction with regard to the best 

 means of preserving animals, a subject on which his advice was of the ut- 

 most value ; and I was farther indebted to him for specimens of many of 

 those interesting plants he had collected while engaged in the Arctic expe- 

 dition. 



