Peel’s Prairie Provinces: University of Alberta Library, a Division of Learning Services

Peel 167

Richardson, John (Sir) (1787-1865) [info]; Swainson, William (1789-1855) (assistant) [info]; Kirby, William (1759-1850) (assistant) [info]. Fauna boreali-americana, or, The zoology of the northern parts of British America: Containing descriptions of the objects of natural history collected on the late northern land expeditions, under command of Captain Sir John Franklin, R.N.. London: John Murray, 1829-1837.

Physical description: 4 vols., illus., plates (part. col.).; 29 cm.

Language: English

Volume 3 has imprint, London: R. Bentley; volume 4, Norwich, J. Fletcher, and sold in London by Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans. Reprinted, New York: Arno Press, 1974-1978 (4 vols.). Contents include: part 1. "The quadrupeds" by Richardson; part 2. "The birds" by Swainson and Richardson; part 3. "The fish" by Richardson; and part 4. "The insects" by Kirby. Volume 4 by Kirby was also issued as Fauna boreali-americana: part the fourth and last, the insects , Norwich, England: Josiah Fletcher, 1837 (xviii, 325p.). In the introduction Richardson states that he had spent seven summers and five winters in the country. The descriptions of the animals are largely from Thomas Drummond, many of whose experiences are related in describing them. Bird illustrations are considered to be notable.

Subject headings:

• Natural history
• Northwest Passage--Description and travel