Suggestions relative to objects of scientific investigation in Russian America

SUGGESTIONS

RELATIVE TO

OBJECTS OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

IN

RUSSIAN AMERICA.

1

Smithsonian

Institution,

Washington,

3Iay 27th, 1867.

Bon.

John

^F.

Hartley,

Ass'tSec'y of^the Treasury.

Sir^:

Your

letterinforming usthatan expeditionwastobesent toRussian America,

and

invitingsuggestions asto scientificpoints worthy of attention, has been duly received, and Ibegleave to enclose, in reply, the accompanying

memoranda

relative to meteorology, ethnology, and natural history, which

we

^should be pleased to haveplaced in the hands of the gentlemen com- posing the party.

The

meteorological suggestions were pre- pared

by

myself, the ethnological by Mr. George Gibbs, and those which relateto natural historyby Professor Baird.

Detailed instructions formeteorologicalobservations, for

mak-

ing,preparing, and packing collections of naturalhistory, hints for ethnological research, and blanks for recordingvocabular-

ies,

accompany

the parcel transmitted.

With many

thanks for your courtesy inasking theco-opera- tion of the SmithsonianInstitution, I remain,

Yoursrespectfull)^

JOSEPH HENRY.

Secretary Smithsoinun Institution.

I.

Meteoeology.

1.

Keep

a journal of theAveather atregular intervalsof time, noting

—

(1.)

The

directionof the Avind.

(2.)

Face

of thesky as to cloudiness.

(3.) Direction of motionof upper and lowerclouds.

(4.) Eain, snow, hail, fogs, &c.

(5.) Temperatureof airand Avater.

(6.) Pressure of air.

(7.) Moisture

by

wet and dry bulbthermometers.

2. In recordinganyobservation give the exacttime,latitude

and

longitude of ship,

and name

of the observer.

3.

When

but two observations are

made

ⁱⁿ the course of the

day

the hours should be 8 a. m.

and

8 p. m.;

when

three observations, at 7 a. m., 2

and

9 p. m. If the

number

of observers issufficienta record oftemperature and pressure

may

be

made

hourlyorbi-hourly fora

week

together

when

the vessel is stationary, in order to ascertain the dailyvariations.

Unusual phenomena

^shouldberecordedatthe time of occurrence.

4.

The

indications of a

maximum

and also of a

minimum

thermometershould berecordedat least once a day.

5.

The

observationswith the wet

and

drybulb thermometer areveryimportant

and

should becai'efully

made

at leastthree timesa

day

^{in a} jilacefreelyexposedtotheair.

The

^difference between the wet

and

dry bulb will be less in

warm

weather

when

the air is nearly saturated with vapor,

and

also in cold weather

when

it contains very little moisture.

The

wet bulb, hoAvever,should ahvays be the loAver; butin somecases during a loAVfallingtemperature the AAaterabsorbed

by

the coveringor thewet bulb

may become

^frozen,

and

Avhile evolving its latent heatAvill preventasa rapid a descent of the mercuryas in the ease of thedrybulb,Avhich

may

be atthe time exposedtoacur- rent of cold air. If the obser\^ation, however, be continued sufficientlylong

and

the temperatureremain steady the covered bulb Avill finally indicate the lower temjierature though it be coveredAvith a coating of ice.

6.

The

force of solar radiation should be observed every

day

at noon, with a blackened bulb thermometer,surrounded

by

a

vacuum,

enclosed inan outerglassenvelope. In defaultoftbi**

givetheir directionofmotion

among

thestars,startingand ending

jDoints; give the intensity of light of fire ball as compared with that of day; the sizecompared with that of the moon. If

an

explosion is observed listen for sound for perhaps tAVO or threeminutes.

Make

special observations forshootingstars on several nights about the 12th or 13th of

November.

Observa- tionsshouldbe kept

up

^for several nights on,before and after these epochs for the jDurjoose of comparison. Other periods less

marked may

be noted, namely: April, from 23d to24th;

June,fromloth to20th; October18th;

December

6thand7th;

January

2d.

8.

The

temperature of the surfaceofthe water should befre- quently taken, firsttoascertain if there are anyvariationsfrom

day

to day,

when

the*vessel is at rest in the same place,and, second,to determine the variations from place to place

when

thevesselisinmotion; incertaincases, such asenteringa

warm

streamthe change

may

be verysudden.

For

determining the surface temperature, the Avater

may

be

drawn

inabucket, carebeingtakentolet itremainlongenough overboard to obtain the temperature of thewater. If a ther-

mometer

be let

down

into thewaterto obtain the surface, or deep sea temperature, itsbulb shouldbe surroundedwithseve- ralcoatings of cloth, in orderthat the tempterature

may

remain longenoughstationaryto admitof its being read on deckwith- out sensible change. Care, however,must be taken that the thermometer remainin thewatersufficiently longtoacquire the temperature of thelatter.

9. Frecjuent observationsshouldbe

made

toascertainthedirec- tion of currents

by

acomparison of dead reckoning with astro- nomical observations,and, to aflbrd dataforsubsequent deter- minations, bottles containing asheet of paper,giving the lati- tude, longitude,

and

time,with directions astowherethe paper

is tobe sent

by

the finder,should be frequentlythrown over- board.

The

^bottles shouldbe of transparentglass in order that the whitepaper

may

beseenata distance.

The

ordinary black bottleisso nearthe colorof thesea as to escapenotice unless caston the shore

by

a wave.

10.

The

color of the uatcr frhoukl be noted asthis

may

be imiiortant in connexion with currents, shoals, &c. Extensive tractsof greenwater have been reported,lyingatsome distance offthe coastand extending as high uj) as

Queen

Charlotte Is- lands.

The

existence or non-existence of these should be de- terminedas far as possible.

11. After a storm, measure the height of the waves

by

as-

cendingthe shroudstoan elevationwhich shall just bring the lineof vision of the distant horizon over thecrestof thewave, while theship isinthe hollow.

Note

time

when

high wavesare observed without a storm,andalsotheirdirection; they giveindi- cationsof a stormhavingoccurred at adistance.

12. Note the ai:)pearance of the sky over stream likethat of the

Gulf

Avhen at a distance from

them

on either side, also,

whetherwater-spovits occur

more

frequently withintheir limits than ⁱⁿ other parts of the ocean.

Make

frequent observations of the surface temperature on approaching

and

leaving the streams, also theirwidth.

13. Carefully note the timeand place of enteringandleaving the northeast trade-winds.

14.

The

directionof themotion of the highest fleecy clouds is

important,

and

shouldbe enteredwhenever they areseen.

The

direction of thelower clouds, aswellasthe surfacewind, should be noted.

15. Inrecordingfogs,

when

they areatashort distance,give the height of the upper and lower surface

when

not resting on the W'ater, and be careful tonote the temperature of the air and water beforeandafter entering. In sailing near the laud ob- serve the condition of light-houses in regard to fogs

—

^whether

the top or bottom of the tower first becomes visible, as seen across thefog.

16.

Hazy

weather is sometimes produced

by what

is called dry fogs, which

may

be due to volcanic dustor other solidsubstancein powder. If anythingofthiskindbe deposited on deck, specimens shouldbe carefully collected andpreserved.

17. Notethepointsalong the westerncoast ofCentral

America

where the trade-wind from the east blows strongly across the Isthmus to the Pacific as^Avell as the directionandintensity of this wind.

18. In the case of thunder-storms note the direction from

earth,

and

alsoits altitude.

The

whole disturbance of the at- mosphere, in case of a thunder-storm,isfrequently confined to a space of three or four miles in one direction,and from two^to three miles inthe other.

The

change of the windshouldbe notedduringtheapproach, passage,

and

end of the storm, and also the character of the lightning, whethersheet, zig-zag, or ramified, and particularly whetheritis in the form of a globe or ballof fire. Note also the character of the thunder,whether loud, faint,a sudden ex- plosion, or a continued reverberation. If the ship should be struck all theparticulars of the effectsproducedshouldbe^care- fullydescribed.

During

the passage of the electrical discharge along themast of a shipthe natural electricity of all the other parts of the vessel will be disturbed, andinthis

way

efi'ects

maybe

produced inthecabin notimmediatelyreferable totheprimarydischarge.

It isstated thatthunder storms are notobservedon theocean beyond a certain latitude,and,also, on land, along the north- western coast of America,there are places where theynever, orveryrarely, occur. Facts in regard tothis point are inter- esting.

19. In case of the occurrence of a tornadoor cyclone, every change in the direction and intensity of the wind should be noted,the barometer and thermometer constantlywatched, and theirindications given, the aj^pearance of thesky, andparticu- larlythe motion of tho lower and upper clouds, as compared with the surface wind. If the centre of the stormbe passed through, a lull will probably be observed coinciding, perhaps, with the lowest altitude of the barometer,

and

followed

by

a changein the directionof the wind. If the vesselbe in north latitude,

and

the stormbe that of a true cyclone, the direction of its centre

may

be determined

by

facing the windandextend- ing thearms.

The

right

hand

willthenextend tothecentre of

thestorm. .

Copies of the logsof allvessels which are subsequently

met

with thathave encounteredthe

same

storm should becollected.

20. In observingthe Aurora,notewhether anarch beformed

the bearing of its apex, give its altitude from timetotime,

and any

changes that

may

take place in it, and whether a dark cloudexists in the segment beneath, while the other parts of theheavens are unclouded.

When

Auroral

beams

appearthey frequently

move

laterally along the arch.

Note

whether this motionisto theeast orto thewest. This observation isimpor- tant in ascertainingwhethertheelectricaldischarge,towhich the

Aurora

isundoubtedly due, be toorfromthe earth.

When

the

beams

of the

Aurora

shoot

up

toward the zenith, notewhether

any

mistiness in theatmosphere becomesinstanta- neouslyperceptible, and,Avhether this continues orsoon disap- pears.

Note

whetherthe

beams

in

any

casearevisiblebetween adistant mountain, or a cloud,

and

the observer,and whether sounds

accompany

the meteor.

21. In going

up

the western coast it should be recollected that themagnetic needlehas alarge easterly variation increas- ingas

we

advancenorthward, care should thereforebe takento state, whether the register of the wind, arch of the Aurora,

&c., is

made

in referencetothe magnetic or true north,

and

to whichthe accounts of the directions of the

wind

you

may

ob- tain from othersrelates.

22.

Note

the appearance of water-spouts

and

the condition of the air as to temperature

and

moisture under which they occur; the directionof their motion,

and

whether they appear singly or in numbers. Observe whether the top spreads out withcurrentsofair

moving

from itin everydirection asiffroma centre;

and

if the ship is near observe the effect on the bar- ometer

and

whether thedirection of thewind isthen toward the spout.

23. Regular observations should be

made

on land

when

op- portunities occuronall theobjectsmentioned in paragraphone.

Enquiryshouldbe

made

astothe occurrence ofthunder storms;

appearanceof the aurora^;

amount

ofrain and snow; early

and

late frosts; as to whethercracks are produced during verycold weather in the earth

by

the shrinking of the surface; thickness of the iceinharbors; time of plantingandreaping; of flowering ofplants;leafing, &c., oftrees; kinds

and

quality ofgrain,veg- etables, &c., which aregrown.

24. Observations should be

made

^{of the} temperature of the groundat the depth ofan inch,afoot, anda yard, thedepth to

fromthe earthandthedepositionof

dew

onglass,wood,wool,&c.

II.

Ethnology.

1.

As

languageaffordsone of thereadiest,and perhapsthemost certain

mode

of tracingaffinity

among

the races of men, it is

particularly desired to collectaccurate vocabularies of a suffi- cient

number

of words in

common

use to

make

at anyrateap- proximate comparisons. Fuller ones

and grammars

or partial grammaticalforms shouldbeobtained ofcourse,

when

practica- ble,but asthisisnotlikelytobe thecaseduringsoshorta voy- age, such results asare attainableshould be looked for. Itis jirobable thatPrinceMaksoutoffinaccordanceAviththe

example

of his predecessors,Admirals

Woewodsky and

Furuhjelm, will aid in this

by

distributing theblanksfurnished forthepurpose toagents atthe variousportsof the Russo-

American Fur Com-

pany.

The

mostimportanttribesremainingare thoseextending from Copper river along the coast to

Cape

Fairweather, espe- cially those

known

asUgalentses

and

Galshanes.

New

vocabu-

laries are however wanted of all the

Eskimo

tribes, including the Namollos of the Asiatic side of Behriug Strait; of the Aleutians, the Kenaiens,

and

the Koloshians, in theirvarious languagesand dialects.

2.

The

collectionofarticles ofindigenousmanufacture orem- ploymentwill, of course,form an object of particular interest,

and

should extend even to the most

common

and trivial.

Drawings, orbetterstUl,photograj)hs,shouldbe

made

of dwell- ings, tombs, &c. Should a photographer

accompany

theexpe- dition, itis mostimportant thatjiortraits of good sizebe taken of individuals of as

many

tribes as possible,lesswith the view of displaying their dress

and

ornaments than their features, formof the head, &c.

A

^collection of skulls as far as possible, representingeach tribe,should be

made

andinlarge

numbers

of specimens, particularlyof the

Eskimo

nations, great carebeing takentogivelocality andrace.

III.

Natural History.

1. It willofcourse be anobjectonthepartoftlieCommission of the Treasury

Department

to illustrate the capabilities of Russian

America

inreference to its furs, fisheries,

and

forests, as well as its mineralogical

and

geological products. Under- standing that the Coast Survey Avill take charge of matters pertainingto geological observations,

we

would call especial at- tention to theimportance of securing full collections of all the animals

known

intheRussian

American

fur trade.

Of

thesethe

mostimportantistheseaotter, allthe differentrecognizedvarie- ties of which should be procured,

and

of different ages, with, ifpossible, oneor

more

skeletons.

The

blackfox of the islands should be obtained for comparison with that of the mainland alreadyin possession of the Smithsonian Institution.

The

dif- ferent kinds of seals,especially the fur seal, of different ages, includingvery

young and

veryold, and if possible awalrus of

medium

size shouldbe secured; goodspecimens of the

Rocky Mountain

white goat with blackhorns,andof theBig-horn if it occurs, thebears, etc., willall be of interestandvalue. These skins should be obtained unmutilated,

and

having the entire exterior preserved

—

^{head, with lips}

^and

^{ears, feet, tail, etc.,}

thatthey

may

be

mounted and

setup. Skulls

and

if possible skeletons of all these animals will be desirable.

Any

species of

mammals

howeverwill beofinterest tothe naturalist, includ- ing the mice, moles, bats, etc.

2.

Among

animals ofeconomical value the^{differentspecies}of cetaceans, whales, porpoises, black fish, grampus, etc., are of course veryprominent.

Of

the smaller, it isverydesirable to haveskins for stuffing; of anythe skulkwith the entire skele- ton, ifprocurable willbe useful,

and

especially soifa sketch of the animalinthe flesh can be takenshowing shape, proportions,

and

distributionof colorbetweentheupperand undersurfaces.

Very

little is

known

of eventhe whales of the North Pacific, as to their true relationship with those of other parts of the world,

and

something of importance

may

be done in thiscon- nection

by

theCommission.

3.

Among

the Aleutian Islands is a great variety ofsea-fowl,

more

orless

unknown

to the naturalist,

and

which will be of

much

interest.

The

mostdesirable of

them

arc the small sea-

and

geese, and the land birds of the islands.

Good

col- lections of birds

made

atSitka

and

inpossessionof the Smith- sonian Institution renderit less necessaryto prosecutecareful research into the ornithology of that Island; but Kodiak, Aonalaska, and the other Aleutians are almost entirely un-

known

in this connection and

any

collectionswill be of value.

4.

Whenever

the occasion offers, eggs of anyspeciesof bird breedingⁱⁿ Russian

America

shouldbe secured,

and

theparent collected for identification.

5.

Of

thefishesitisdesirable tosecuregoodskinsoflarge spe- cimens of allthe different food-species, as cod, halibut, salmon, sturgeon, etc., in order that they

may

be properly stuffed and placed on exhibition^; the smaller kinds should alsobe repre- sented asfar as possible.

The

fewspecies of reptiles occurring in the country shouldbe carefully collected.

Any

specimens of shells, crabs, radiates,

and

other marine animals aswell as the differentorders of insects,will be ofinterest tothenaturalist.

6. Specimens of the timbertrees ofthe country shouldbe se- cured,

and

sections with the bark on should be

made

to

show

the character of the wood. These should however always be accompanied

by

specimens of the ^foliage

and

fruitof the

same

tree to indicate its true botanical character together with an account of the extentand magnitudeof the forest. Specimens of

any

other plants of

known

economical value should also be obtained.

To

thebotanist, complete seriesof all plantsof the different localitieswillbe of

much

interest.

7. Fullcollections should be

made

of the rocks andminerals of the countryatthedifferentstopping points,aswell as of

any

fossil remains that

may

be found to occur. Notes should ac-

company

these specimens showing their relationship to each other and the country^itself, and illustrated

by

diagrams indi- cating the number, inclination, and relative thickness of any stratathat

may

be observed.

8. Ifthe servicesofa competentnaturalistcan be procuredin

San

Francisco,itwillbe of

much

importanceandtendtoaddto thevalue of the information relative to the economical natural history of the country.

An

allowance too, will, probablyhave

10

tobe

made

tomeet expense of purcliasing sucli furs as cannot otherwisebe obtained, as seaotters, etc.,as it isof greatimpor- tance to be ^able toexhibit

them

to Congress.

The

magazines of the Russian

American Company

at Sitka, will probablycon- tainnearly everykind of animal

known

inthe furtrade.

9. In

making any

collections as suggested, care should be taken toattach alabel or otherwise

marking

each specimen, so as to showthe exact date

and

locality.

Much

of thevalue ofthese objects will belost,unless such facts

accompany

them.

Especialattention too, should be paid totheir preparation and packing,so that they

may

not be injured or destroyed on the

way

back. If possible the skins of birds

and

animals should be sent

home

even before the return of the expedition ⁱⁿ order that time

may

be allowed tohave

them

properlyprepared

and mounted

for exhibition.

Any

packages ^{addressedto the}Smith- sonian Institution, care of the Pacific

M.

S. S. Co.,

San

Fran-

cisco, willbe forwarded ^free of expen^.