20 BOTANY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. HERAXD. 
Tlic greater number of these plants are common to the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, 
and the northern portions of Europe and Asia ; some even are inhabitants of the Antarctic 
countries*. Few are peculiar to Arctic America, and only tlu-ee, Artemisia androsacea, 
Seem., Entnchium areiioideSy Alph. Dc Cand., and FolytricJimn cavifolium, Wils., have ex- 
chisively been found in Western Eskiniaux-land. Formerly a considerable number were 
tliouglit to belong to the Polar regions of the north. In proportion, however, as knowledge 
increased, the endemic species have either been reduced to mere forms or varieties, or have 
proved to be plants common also to other countries. Now only a few remain, and there is 
reason to suppose that even these few will be found to extend then- range over a much vAdcv 
extent of surface than is at present assigned to them. The corroboration of this supposition 
would be productive of important results. It would throw additional hght upon the geogra- 
l)hieal distribution of vegetable forms, and prove that the diffusion of plants had taken place, 
not from north to south, but from south to north, — a direction which, even in the absence of 
these data, may be supported by plausible arguments. 
An essential difference exists between the Flora of the southern and the northern 
portions of Western Eskimaux-land, a few degrees in so high a latitude exercising a marked 
influence. In the southern or subarctic region there are still plants which the eye is accus- 
tomed to meet in the plains of more temperate chmates, such as Bosa hianda, Spiraa 
b€tuI<sfoUa, AcJdlha Millefolium, Eibes ruhrum, Corydalis paucifora, Lnpinus perevnia, 
San^uisorba Canadensis, and Galium boreal e ; besides annuals and biennials, and shrubs and 
trees. However, in proceedhig northward and having entered the Arctic circle, these forms 
disappear; the trees dwindle into low crooked bushes, and annuals and biennials cease 
almost entirely, the remaining plants being such as depend for their propagation rather on 
their buds than seeds. They are chiefly perennial herbs with c^spitose habit, such as Geun 
glaciale, Artemisia borealis, A. f/Iomerata, A. androsacea, Stellaria dicranoides, Bryas octo- 
petala, D. inlegrifolia , Saxifroya coispitosa, and Androsace CJiamajasme. These, and Mosses 
Lichens, Cotton-gi-asses, and low Wdlows, chiefly cover those endless steppes wdiose uniforni 
aspect renders the Arctic region so di-eary and monotonous. 
A peculiar feature of the vegetation is its harmless character. The poisonous plants 
* The foUowmg plants are found both in the Arctic and Antarctic, or, strictly speaking, SubantnTetic 
countries, ^z., Anemone .leyetaU, Linn., Cardamine Ur.uta, Linn., Brala inoana, Linn., 8teUaria .redia 
\ lU Cera.t^u^^ ar.en.e, Linn., C. vulgatum, Linn., Arenaria media, Linn., Moniia fontana, Linn., Luthyrul 
.urUunusU^u., ^otentaia anserina, Linn., Hi^puns vulgaris, Linn., CalUtrL .erLa, Lin^ a!Zl 
A,anne L.nn ^n,eronaIj>inum, Linn., 7^ra.acun. Ve.s4eonis, Desf., Gentiana ^rostraU hJJ 
U^sella a,uaUca,J.u^ Statice Armena, Linn., CJ^euo^oJiun. ,laueu^, Linn., W.oe,J,alusfHs Br^^ 
Care.o.aI., Good., C. /estiva, De.vo,, C. curta. Good., Alopeeurus alpina, Snuth, ^eul ill L L 
?:"^I^r''i" ^f>-fraJte.uosa, Linn., A earyo.l.rU., Li^., P.. «." L n^ 
The number of Cryptoga.ic plants, especially .losses, Li.^ anTL ^ eo^n to^^ t^^^^^^^ 
much greater. Compare Hoolver's ' Flora Antarctica.' countries, i 
IS Yerr 
