The explorer and geologist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832–1901) led the expedition that first successfully navigated the North-East Passage and circumnavigated the Eurasian continent. This famous expedition took place in 1878–80, on the steamship Vega. However, prior to this expedition, Nordenskiöld had been on a number of voyages to the Arctic, where comprehensive scientific surveys were carried out. This book, first published in 1879, describes his previous voyages, including those to Spitzbergen and Greenland. It was compiled by Alexander Leslie using Nordenskiöld's own reports, and contains a great deal of historically valuable information. It details encounters with natives met during the voyages and contains the official report of the Medical Officer, Dr Envall, on the health, hygiene and care of the sick during the Swedish Polar Expedition 1872–3. It also includes a list of books and memoirs relating to the Swedish Arctic expeditions and biographical information about Nordenskiöld.