Object of the Voyage. 3 



It being the wish of the enterprising hydrographer of the navy 

 ■ — Captain, now Sir Frederick Evans, K.C.B. — that the opportu- 

 nities which this expedition w^ould afford of making a valuable 

 natural history collection in regions little known to science should 

 not be thrown away, and Sir George Nares warmly seconding him 

 in this wish, the Admiralty determined on appointing as surgeon 

 an officer who, in addition to his duties as medical officer of the 

 ship, would be inclined to devote his spare time to the cause 

 of natural science. Sir George Nares, knowing my fondness 

 for natural history, with characteristic kindness gave my appli- 

 cation his support, and I had therefore the good fortune to be 

 appointed as medical officer of the Alert, on the understanding 

 that (so far as my medical duties permitted) I would not lose 

 sight of the advantages which would accrue to science from a 

 collection of natural-history objects illustrative of the fauna and 

 flora of the countries visited in the course of the voyage. 



During the four years over which my narrative extends, many 

 changes took place in the 'personnel of the expedition. Scarcely 

 a year had elapsed from the date of our departure from England, 

 when we had to regret the loss of Sir George Nares, who left us 

 at Valparaiso, and returned to England by mail steamer, in order 

 to enter upon his duties as Director of the Marine Department 

 of the Board of Trade. We were fortunate, however, in having 

 as his successor Captain John Maclear — formerly/ of the Challenger 

 exploring expedition — to whom I take this opporcunity of express- 

 ing my thanks for the unvarying kindness which I have always 

 experienced at his hands, as well as for much assistance and 

 encouragement in the prosecution of our zoological work. 



The following is a list of the officers: — 



Captain Sir George S. Nares, K.C.B., F.R.S. ; succeeded by 

 Captain John Maclear, F.R.M.S. 



Lieut. George R. Bethell ; succeeded by Lieut. James Deedes. 



Lieut, the Hon. Foley C. P. Vereker ; succeeded by Lieut. 

 George Rooper. 



