120 pages. Four tinted lithographs, three collotypes, and five chromolithographs. Quarto (11¾" x 9½"), original dark brown cloth, lettered in gilt and blind ruled. First Edition.
Four scientific articles concerning investigations performed during the cruise of the USS Corwin during its search for the lost American arctic exploration vessel Jeanette: "Medical and Anthropological Notes on Alaska" by Irving C. Rosse, "Botanical Notes on Alaska" by John Muir, "The Birds of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean” by Edward W. Nelson, and "List of Fishes Known to Occur in the Arctic Ocean, North of Bering Strait" by Tarleton H. Bean. Dr. Rosse's medical report on the Eskimos (he does not distinguish between the various clans) is provocative, revealing as much about the science of his time as it does of his subjects. Muir had been most anxious to study arctic glaciation on the voyage and here provides little more than a cursory list of plant species. The ornithological study by Nelson comprises the longest section of the book and makes fine use of the chromolithographs.
Donated by the Family of Roger Gozdecki, Covina, CA.
