1824, JULY— AUGUST. MADEIRA 51 



A Sketch of a Journey to the North-Western Parts op the 

 Continent op North America during the Years 1824, 1825, 

 1826, AND 1827. By David Douglas, F.L.S. 



While so much geographical information has of late years been added 

 to the general stock of knowledge, and so many distinguished individuals 

 have assiduously devoted their talents to the investigation of the northern 

 parts of this continent, the Horticultural Society being desirous of 

 making known to the British gardens the vegetable treasures of those 

 widely extended and highly diversified countries, resolved on sending a 

 person qualified in the modes of collecting and preserving botanical subjects 

 and of transmitting seeds to England. I had the pleasure of being the 

 person selected, having previously extensively travelled in the eastern 

 parts of the same continent for the same purpose. Before entering on 

 this brief statement I must beg leave to return my grateful thanks to 

 John Henry Pelly, Esq., Governor, and Nicholas Garry, Esq., Deputy- 

 Governor of the Honourable the Hudson's Bay Company, for the kind 

 assistance I on all occasions experienced, for much valuable information, 

 both before and after my arrival in England ; to whose enlightened zeal 

 for all that tends to promote scientific objects they have ever taken 

 a deep and warm interest, and I am truly happy of this opportunity of 

 testifying my thanks. To the residents, partners, and agents I am also 

 deeply indebted, and I sincerely thank them individually and collectively. 



1824. July 25. 



I embarked on board the Hudson's Bay Company's brig William and 

 Ann, Captain Henry Hanwell, destined for the entrance of the River 

 Columbia. To eke the monotony attending long voyages, I held myself 

 fortunate in having a companion in John Scouler, M.D., skilled in several, 

 and devotedly attached to all, branches of natural history, who undertook 

 the voyage in the capacity of surgeon to the ship that he might have 

 an opportunity of prosecuting his favourite pursuit. A few days' favour- 

 able weather carried us clear of the shores of England, and on August 9 

 we passed the high grounds of the Island of Porto Santo in the morning. 

 About i P.M. of the same day we had the pleasure to anchor in the Bay 

 of Funchal. So far as the experience of two days went on this highly 

 delightful island I was amazingly gratified : visited the summit of one of 

 the highest mountains in company with my companion the doctor ; collected 

 for our respective herbaria several interesting though not new plants ; 

 visited the vineyards in the neighbourhood of the town, hospital, church, 



