The North Pacific Expedition

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The expedition whic-h has sailed from ou country to visit Japan and various other coun tries, is one of much interest to men of sci ence. True, in these expeditions some parti cular sciences have received much greater at tention. The single department of zoolog I has, in some cases, been placed in charge of corps of six or more savans, while other sci ences have been entirely neglected. In th present only two or three of the scientifi corps could be detailed for that department I but, on the other hand, important subjects o research, before but slightly considered or lei untouched, have here received their due pro portion of attention. Mr. Storer, of Boston, accompanies the ex pedition as a chemist and has a fine apparatus Mr. Kern, a photographer, also belongs to th corps scientific, and has good apparatus am an abundance of materials, and Commande Ringgold himself will act as chief astronome and general superintendant. As assistant as tronomers he has appointed Lieut. J. M Brooke, and also Mr. Coolidge, of Harvatc Observatory at Cambridge, whosa studie both here and at the principal Observatorie in Germany, well fit him lor the position. In this department also most of the sea officer of the squadron will assist, especially in the minor operations. The intruments providec are numerous and of a superior character. The science of geography is, of course, the great subject of investigation. In this Commander Ringgold has determined that the observations shall be complete. Economic considerations must of course have the primary position ; the adaptation of the waters o the country to the purposes of navigation whether for the commercial or whaling interest; its fisheries; its internal resources ; vegetable productions, wood, mineral wealth coal or metals. The accurate survey of al! the coasts and islands lying within the scope of observation will also be a primary object. The topographical and hydrographieal parties for this purpose will be formed from the sea officers of the squadron, who have been judiciously selected by Commander Ringgold for their proficiency in these departments. Most prominent among these stands Lieut. Commanding Rodgers, of the steamer John Hancock, whose experience on the coast surve"y, well fits him for this department. Landscape views, pictures of individuals of native tribes, c, will be taken. There are corps for ornithology, geobgy, and zoology, in short, every department of science is represented on that equadron, and we have no doubt but the returns will be a rich harvest of important new information to our country, and the expedition will no doubt prove an honor to it.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 40This article was published with the title “The North Pacific Expedition” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 40 (), p. 314
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican06181853-314

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