CHAPTER IV 



THE FAUNA OF ALASKA 



SINCE Alaska came into the possession of the United States 

 its progress has been a rapid one. The sudden development 

 of the resources of this vast country attracted public atten- 

 tion and led to urgent demands for further exploration of its 

 natural wealth. This work has been actively prosecuted 

 within the last few years, so that we now possess some know- 

 ledge of the geography, geology and mineral resources of the 

 country. Situated in the north-westerly extremity of North' 

 America, its area equals in size about one fifth of the United 

 States (see Fig. 1). It is nearly three times as large as the 

 German Empire. 



A broad mountain belt spreads along the Pacific coast of 

 Alaska, its western prolongation being still recognisable in the 

 chain of the Aleutian Islands. The north-eastern extension of 

 the Rocky Mountains curves rapidly westward on reaching the 

 Arctic Ocean and there forms a range almost parallel with the 

 north coast of Alaska. Between these two mountain systems 

 lies partly a plateau and partly a great plain drained by the 

 Yukon River, the latter sending its waters into the Bering 

 Sea. About one quarter of Alaska lies within the Arctic 

 Circle. Hence, from the standpoint of geographic position, 

 it must be regarded as an Arctic province. The southern 

 sea -board, on the other hand, which is exposed to the warm 

 winds and waters of the Pacific Ocean, gives a comparatively 

 mild climate to the entire southern portion of the territory. 

 Thus Dr. Brooks * draws attention to the fact, which few of 

 us probably realize, that the range of climate in Alaska is 

 greater than that between Maine and Florida. 



The capital of the country, Sitka, has a slightly lower mean 



* Brooks, A. H., " Geography and Geology of Alaska," p. 11. 



