XX11 PREFACE 



the scientific personnel of the party. With two such as- 

 sociates, there was much pleasure and recreation in work- 

 ing out the details of the expedition, and almost imper- 

 ceptibly its scope expanded and its membership grew. 

 Many of the invited members were connected with the 

 Washington Academy of Sciences, and the interest shown 

 by them soon came to be shared by that organization, 

 which gave its hearty cooperation; under its auspices the 

 scientific results are now being published. 



Although big game played an important part in the 

 original plan, no extended or organized effort for hunting 

 was made, the sportsmen unselfishly foregoing their own 

 pleasure and allowing the scientific workers to use their 

 camp equipment. Much valuable time was thus saved 

 and we were enabled to extend the cruise to the Seal and 

 other islands of Bering Sea and also to the coast of 

 Siberia and Bering Strait. 



The long voyage, made often in the midst of fog, through 

 imperfectly charted waters, and along a treacherous coast 

 unguarded by lighthouses or danger signals, was accom- 

 plished in safety and without serious accident. This was 

 mainly due to the skillful navigation of Captain Doran, 

 assisted by First Officer McCarty, while the comfort of 

 the party was well cared for under the direction of Steward 

 Knights. My appreciation of the efforts of these officers 

 is shared, I am sure, by all the members of the expedition. 



Acknowledgments are due to the officials of the many 

 transportation lines over which we passed, especially those 

 of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, for courtesies so 

 generously extended during various stages of the journey; 

 and also to Captain Humphrey of the Pacific Steam Whal- 

 ing Company; to Mr. Washburn of the Alaska Commer- 

 cial Company at Kadiak, and to Mr. Stanley-Brown on 

 behalf of the North American Commercial Company at 

 Dutch Harbor. These several gentlemen made welcome 



