INTRODUCTION.

TH

HE purpose of this volume has been to comprise in a small compass the most valuable part of the present knowledge of Alaska. The writer has specially endeavored to convey as much information as his scope would allow, in regard to the native inhabitants, history, and resources of the country. This end has been kept steadily in view, perhaps at the risk of dulness.

The greatest care has been taken to verify such facts as have not come under the personal observation of the writer. Toward this end every accessible work containing information in regard to the country has been consulted in the original. Where authorities have differed, the statements thought most worthy of confidence, or such as best agreed with the experience of the author, have been adopted. Many discrepancies have been reconciled, and not a few errors have been corrected. Mistakes to a certain extent are inevitable, but it is hoped that, in all important points, the statements herein made will stand the test of time and future observation. Many of the conclusions in regard to the natives may seem, to the superficial observer, unwarranted; indeed, the author found, during a second year's experience, that not a few of his earlier impressions were erroneous, and constant intercourse with the natives, during that year while isolated from other white men, enabled him to clear up many doubtful points which previous observations had left unsettled. The geographical information here recorded is, of necessity, partly approximate. With a base upon which to found future observations, it is to be hoped that accurate determination of many points will not long be delayed.

Theories and opinions have been, as far as possible, kept in the background, or, when expressed, so separated from the statements of facts, that the reader is left free to adopt or reject them from the evidence presented.

Now that the native and Russian names of places and people in Alaska are to be introduced into American literature, it is very desirable that they should be spelled as simply and uniformly as their phonetic value will allow. Great care has been taken in this respect; a slight knowledge of the Russian language having been of much assistance. It is earnestly recommended that other writers will join their efforts to promote the acceptance and use of the method of spelling adopted in this volume. It is evidently for the interest of all that simplicity and accuracy should be the only guides, and, above all, that uniformity should prevail.

It is but just that the first acknowledgment should be made to the Directors of the Western Union Telegraph Company. By the liberality and generosity of these gentlemen a grand opportunity was afforded of investigating the Natural History of this interesting region; while the operations of the Expedition were not impeded, a large amount of information was collected, for which they should receive the thanks of scientific men of all countries. In the failure of the direct objects of the Expedition, it must be no small consolation to reflect that by such liberal conduct, at an insignificant expense, results of such importance and of lasting value have been obtained.

The writer has been under many obligations, during the progress of the explorations, to Captain Charles S. Bulkley, Engineer-in-Chief of the Expedition; Captain C. M. Scammon, U. S. R. S., Chief-of-Marine; Adjutant George M. Wright; Frederick Whymper, Esq., Artist of the Expedition; and especially to Captain E. Everett Smith, of the schooner F. L. Steele, for many favors.

The writer also desires to express his sense of the favors con

ferred and facilities offered, during the progress of this work, by the Smithsonian Institution, under the direction of Professor Joseph Henry. There is no other place where so much practical and valuable information can be found, in regard to the less known parts of North America, as in the archives of this establishment. To Professor S. F. Baird, of the Institution, the author is also under deep obligations for advice and assist

ance.

To the trustees and librarian of the Boston Athenæum and the Boston Public Library; to Professor Theodore Gill, and Mr. Spofford, of the Congressional Library; to Mr. S. H. Scudder, of the Boston Society of Natural History; Mr. Kalusowski, Librarian of the United States Treasury; Mr. Buynitsky, of the Treasury Department; Mr. Chew, of the Department of State; Mr. Young, of the Bureau of Statistics; Dr. C. A. Parry, of the Agricultural Bureau; Captain Patterson, Mr. Hilgard, and other officers of the United States Coast Survey; Mr. Bannister, of the Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Torrey, of the United States Assay Office; Dr. J. T. Rothrock, of the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania; Dr. Packard, of the Peabody Academy of Science; Dr. Uhler, of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore; Mr. George Gibbs; Mr. F. B. Meek; Mr. George Davidson; Dr. A. Kellogg; Professor Pesche; R. D. Cotter; Mr. Chas. Wright; Mr. J. T. Dyer; W. H. Ennis; Baron O. de Bendeleben; Mr. Michael Lebarge; Captain Frank E. Ketchum; Mr. George R. Adams; F. H. Francis; Captain Charles Riedell; Miss S. K. Dall, and many others, he is indebted for information or assistance.

The illustrations are all from original sketches by the writer, or from the articles themselves, and owe whatever artistic merit they may possess to the pencil of Mr. H. W. Elliott. The illustrations of birds were engraved by Mr. H. H. Nichols, and the others are by Mr. John Andrew.

The map is a photo-lithograph from the original, drawn under the direction of the writer and now in the possession of the

United States Coast Survey, and was put on stone by Mr. Julius Bien, of New York.

The ethnological specimens figured are mostly from the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

Should further details be desired, reference may be made to the works of which a list is given in the Appendix. Additional information of any kind is requested, and will be used, and full credit given, should a future opportunity be offered.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, November, 1869.