Sowerby, Arthur de Carle – Clark Expedition to China, 1908-1910

Abstract

The materials include field notes, reports, 2 hand drawn maps, catalog, and news clippings documenting Arthur Sowerby’s participation in the Clark Expedition to China, 1908-1910. 1 map shows route taken by G.A. Grant and Adels Sowerby on their return from Lan chou to Tai-yuan. It includes some topographical information, and shows Ordos Desert, Kansu [Gansu], Shensi [Shaanxi], and Shansi [Shanxi] provinces. Second map is entitled “Rough map of district explored,” and accompanies a report. It shows direction and route of travel along the Fen and Wei [Wei He] Rivers from Tai-yuan-fu toward Ning-wu-fu, including some elevation and topographical information. |The reports detail information relating to mammal specimens collected, the first for September 30, 1908 – January 19, 1909, in provinces of Shansi and Shensi, North China and Ordos, Mongolia; mammals caught 15 miles south of Si-an-fu February; in Kansu and Shensi, May-August 1909; and Tai-yuan Shansi, October and November (year not specified). The reports vary in format. Some details are chronologically given, others listed by numbered entries for type of mammal, with accompanying details. These include a combination of where they were collected and their environments; behavior; type of terrain observed (noting details of composition and appearance), flora and fauna, and weather. Not all numbered mammals listed have a description. There are references to specific specimens (by number) in the report. Indicates that some specimens were kept as pets during the expedition and their behavior observed. Many of the mammals listed were rodents. |Field notes cover collecting in the mountainous district north west of Tai-yuan-fu, Shansi, covering winter months of 1909-1910. It includes much the same information as reports, and includes some rough sketches. Includes descriptions and measurements of specimens, with sketches. The catalog lists mammals collected, with number, sex, measurements, date, place, altitude, and remarks (usually relating to environment or specimen preparation).

Date Range

1908-1910

Start Date

1908

End Date

1910

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

Mammalogy

Place

• Gansu
• Ordos Desert
• Wei He
• Shanxi
• Shaanxi
• Fen and Wei Rivers
• Fen

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Field notes
• Maps
• Sketches

Accession #

SIA Acc. 12-157

Collection name

Division of Mammals Collection, Arthur de Carle Sowerby Papers, Clark Expedition to China, 1908-1910

Physical Description

1 field book and 2 maps

Physical Location

National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Division of Mammals