voyage's most notable accomplishment and the one on 

 which its reputation rests. 12 



Upon the Expedition's arrival at a pre-selected port of 

 call, an astronomical station was usually set up and a sur- 

 vey begun, and the Expedition's scientists conducted on- 

 site investigations of geographic, botanic, and other eco- 

 logical conditions. Approximately 10,000 plant species were 

 studied during these investigations, and three to five her- 

 barium specimens of each were collected. In addition, 

 propagation material from an untold number of plants was 

 also gathered. 



The Expedition's bounty included fossils, minerals, 

 shells, insects, animals, and marine life along with seeds, 

 nuts, living plants, and dry specimens. Brought back as well 

 were numerous drawings prepared by the two artists who 

 traveled with the Expedition, a number of artifacts of 

 significant historical value, and more than 180 charts 

 containing descriptions of landmarks, harbors, and other 

 points of interest prepared during the voyage. 13 



EXPEDITION'S RECORD: A PERMANENT LEGACY 



There also exists in the Library of Congress and Naval 

 Research Library in Washington a permanent published 

 record of the investigation and exploration of the four-year 

 Wilkes Expedition. It fills twenty-four sizeable volumes. The 

 first five volumes comprise a narrative of the voyage written 

 by Charles Wilkes, including several descriptions and 

 pictures of native flora. 14 



12 Bryan, The Wilkes Exploring Expedition, p. 1452-1464; Mark 

 Cooley, The Exploring Expedition in the Pacific, Proceedings of the Ameri- 

 can Philosophical Society v. 82, June 29, 1940, pp. 707-719; Henderson, 

 Hidden Coasts, pp. 46-200; William Herbert Hobbs, The Discovery of 

 Wilkes Land, Antarctic, Proceedings of the American Philosophical So- 

 ciety, v. 82, June 29, 1940, pp. 561-582; and Morsberger, The Wilkes' Ex- 

 pedition, pp. 6-10, 45-49. 



13 Feipel, The Wilkes Exploring Expedition, p. 1346; and Robert Park 

 MacHatton, Heritage of the Navy, United States Naval Institute Proceed- 

 ings, v. 68, July 1942, p. 967. 



14 Charles Wilkes, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition 

 During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, Philadelphia: Lea & 

 Blanchard, 1845. For background on how the Expedition's records came 

 to be published see Bartlett, Reports of the Wilkes Expedition, pp. 630-635; 

 Henderson, The Hidden Coast, pp. 214-218; and Morgan, Autobiography 

 of Charles Wilkes, pp. 535-548. 



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