﻿1848. VEGETATION. 231 



gently swelling elevations interpose between the 

 river and the main ridge of the Rein-deer Hills. 

 The valleys and borders of the river are well wooded, 

 but the summits of the eminences present only 

 scattered spruce firs, with stunted tops and widely 

 spreading depressed lower branches. The canoe- 

 birch (Beiida pajyyracea) is frequent, and the trees 

 we measured were about five inches in diameter. 

 The Populus halsamifera and Alnus viridis grow 

 to the height of twenty feet, and the Salix speciosa 

 to upwards of twelve. The Rihes rubrum, Ruhus 

 chamcemorus^ and Vaccinimn vitis idcea^ bore at this 

 time ripe fruit. The Rosa hlanda^ Kalmia glaicca, 

 Nardosmia 'palmata, and Lupinus p>e}'enms, were 

 also observed flourishing in this high latitude, to- 

 gether with several other plants which extend to 

 the sea-coast. Among the birds, we saw the great 

 tern (^Sterna cayana), the Coryle alcyon, and Scole- 

 cophagus ferrugineus, the latter in flocks. 



August 2d. — For five or six hours this morning 

 we ran past the ends of successive ridges separated 

 by narrow valleys. The diagram gives the outlines 

 of one of these spurs seen on the southern flank. It 

 is about three hundred feet high, and its acclivities 

 are furrowed deeply, producing conical eminences 

 which are impressed with minor furrows. The 

 vegetation is scanty; a few small white spruces 

 straggle up the sides ; and the soil, where it is 



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