106 BEHRING STRAITS. 



Beginning with a short resume of Cook's voyage in this vicinity, 

 I then take up the Eussian explorations, which, from their inte- 

 resting character, bearing as they do so directly on the important 

 question of the Polynia or open sea, I have found great difficulty in 

 comprising within a small compass. I then give a short account of 

 the valuable and instructive voyage of the Blossom, under Captain 

 Beechy. A general historical account of the expeditions in search 

 of Sir J. Franklin, by way of Behring's Strait, follows. These I 

 have endeavoured to render as short as possible, with the exception 

 of the part taken by the Enterprise, which has been given more at 

 large, under the impression that it may be the means of preserving 

 information that might (as has been the case in other voyages) pass 

 away without a knowledge of the value that notes daily made have 

 upon future researches. 



Some observations have been collected from Mr. Whymper's 

 interesting narrative of his adventures in this sea, which I have little 

 doubt will prove useful. 



Some extracts from the correspondence of the American whale- 

 fishers have been added, which will elucidate the change in the 

 position of the ice in different years. 



In collating the general information with which I sum up this 

 portion of the work, I have had recourse to official documents as 

 well as publications by private individuals; but I am especially 

 indebted to two officers who have spent five seasons in this neigh- 

 bourhood. One I regret to say is no more; but the valuable 

 information collected by Dr. Simpson will leave a regret that he was 

 not spared to carry further the extent of his ability : the other is 

 Captain Hull, at present Assistant-Hydrographer, who, after three 

 summers spent in Behring Sea in the Herald, returned with Com- 

 mander Maguire and passed two winters in the Plover at Point 

 Barrow. 



-BEHRING STRAITS. 



In the instructions issued by the Admiralty to Captain Cook, when 

 proceeding on his third voyage in July, 1776, the following para- 

 graphs appear : — " Upon your arrival upon the coast of New Albion, 

 you are to put into the first convenient port to recruit your wood 

 and water and procure refreshments, and then to proceed north- 

 ward along the coast as far as latitude 65°, or farther, if you are 



not obstructed by lands or ice When you get that length, 



you are very carefully to search for and to explore such rivers or 



