Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/60

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Attached to the study of medicine & its kindred sciences, I eagerly embraced the opportunity which unexpectedly presented itself of investigating the natural history of the N W coast of America. Its botanical riches had already been explored by the zeal of Nelson & Menzies, but the interesting collection of Governor Lewis, convinced me that much remained to be done in the country West of the Stony Mountains. If many gleanings remained to reward the botanist; the geology & zoology of the country were yet untouched, and the success of Dr. Richardson in a country better known, encouraged me with the prospect of adding some new individuals to the class Rodentia. While in London I received much useful information from Mr. Menzies and Dr. Richardson & the inspection of their specimens enabled me to form some idea of American botany, & of the best manner of collecting and preserving the various subjects of natural history in the remote countries I was about to visit.

On the 25 July we left Gravesend furnished with every necessary for the collection and preservation of plants & animals. In the prospect of a long voyage I deemed myself particularly fortunate in the company of Mr. Douglass who was employed by the Horticultural Society in