1908.] PREVIOUS EXPLORATIONS BACK. 63 



early August, and Felix Harbor, Boothia, on September 30. Three 

 years were spent in this vicinity, and overland journeys were made 

 for about a hundred miles to the westward. The summer of 1832 was 

 spent along the east coast of Boothia and North Somerset, between 

 latitude 70° and 73°, and the next winter at Somerset House, in lati- 

 tude 72° 40', after which Ross returned to England. The natural his- 

 tory of the region was reported on by James Clark Ross, a nephew 

 of the commander. 



The expedition of Back to the mouth of Great Fish River (since 

 generally called Back River) was sent out to explore that stream, and, 

 if possible, to render aid to the members of the expedition under Sir 

 John Ross, whose prolonged absence had caused much apprehension. 

 Richard King, surgeon and naturalist to the expedition, was second 

 in command. Traveling by wa}^ of Montreal, the Great Lakes, the 

 Saskatchewan, and Methye Portage, the party reached Fort Chipe- 

 wyan on July 29, 1833. Descending the Athabaska and Slave rivers, 

 they reached Great Slave Lake on August 8, and their prospect ive 

 wintering place, at the eastern end of the lake, August 18. During 

 the autumn a preliminary survey to the head of Great Fish River was 

 made, and the winter was passed at their establishment, which was 

 named Fort Reliance. The party left here May 7, 1831, reached the 

 head of Great Fish River, after great exertions, on June 28, and de- 

 scending it, reached the mouth about August 1. 



Prevented by ice from exploring the coast to the eastward, the 

 party, after being detained in the vicinity of Montreal Island for 

 some days, began the ascent of the river on August 22. reached 

 Fort Reliance on September 27, and again wintered there. Back 

 left on March 20, 1835, and returned to England, leaving King in 

 charge of the expedition. King left with the remainder of the party 

 on April 11, and after spending several days at the fishery near the 

 narrow part of the lake, reached Fort Resolution on April 26. Here 

 he remained until about June 10, when he turned southward, reach- 

 ing Fort Chipewyan June 22, and Isle a la Crosse July 19, and re- 

 turned to England by way of Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. 



Captain Back did little to encourage the acquisition of natural his- 

 tory specimens, and as King's regular duties took up most of his time, 

 the latter could devote but little time to collecting. Most of the 

 specimens were taken at Fort Reliance, but many observations were 

 made at Fort Resolution and at various other points on the route. 

 Two narratives of the expedition were published. Back gives a few- 

 notes on natural history, ami a zoological appendix by Richardson 

 contains lists of the birds and mammals collected, the localities 

 being in some cases indicated, and a 1'ew species being more ex- 

 tensively annotated. King's narrative is replete with notes on natural 

 history, and much light is thrown on many species which are merely 

 listed in Back's narrative. 



