Descripción
Two volumes. xxii [i.e. xxxviii],[2],387,16 [advertisements dated February 1843] pp. plus eight plates (including frontispiece); vi,[2],474pp. plus eleven plates (including frontispiece). Three folding maps in front pocket of first volume. Original blue embossed cloth, spines gilt. Spines sunned, minor edge wear, corners bumped. Bookplate on front pastedown of both volumes. Mild occasional foxing. Very good. A rare and important account of a successful Pacific surveying expedition, wonderfully illustrated. Belcher boarded the SULPHUR at Panama, taking over from Capt. Henry Kellett who had relieved Capt. Frederick Beechey after he fell ill. Belcher remained in command for the balance of the expedition. The purpose of the voyage was to survey and explore the Pacific basin and the Pacific coast of North and South America. The party surveyed harbors along the California coast and northwest to Alaska, and travelled up the Sacramento River from San Francisco Bay for a month in open boats. They also visited various Pacific islands, including Hawaii. The vegetation of Australia is examined in an appendix, as is that of Africa and other countries. Many of the plates depict natives encountered, and the large map shows the course of the ship around the world. "The Hawaiian Islands, the Marquesas, the Society Islands, the Tonga Islands, the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, etc. were visited. Noteworthy is the essay by naturalist Richard Brinsley Hinds, 'The regions of vegetations; being an analysis of the distribution of vegetable forms over the surface of the globe in connexion with climate and physical agents.' Also included are various appendices relating to Nicaragua.Belcher had earlier sailed with Beechey on the BLOSSOM as a surveyor" - Hill. HOWES B318, "aa." LADA-MOCARSKI 117. FERGUSON 3564. HILL 102. JUDD, p.28. N° de ref. del artículo WRCAM54736
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