11 



rain has fallen at Sitka has reached as high as 264. No wonder that 

 some of those who have been in Alaska believe that at man's creation a 

 web-foot was forgotten. 



Across the mountains in the interior, both of Alaska and British 

 Columbia, the precipitation is very much less, and the range of tempera- 

 ture very much greater. 



On account of the mild climate the snowfall on the coast is not 

 great, less than we have here. 



Among other meteorological phenomena to be noted is the wind. 

 In most localities and regions it is a simple matter to tell in which 

 direction the wind is blowing, but not so on the Alaskan coast. It is 

 something like trying to tell which way water is running in an eddy or 

 whirlpool. Out in the broad ocean the wind has undoubtedly a con- 

 stant direction, for the time being, but when it approaches the coast, 

 passing through long narrow channels, over mountains, down mountains, 

 around some headland or promontory, buffeted from side to side, its 

 direction is difficult to determine, for in a trice it changes. The severest 

 winds in the summer are the ' south-easters.' 



Based upon theory and confirmed by experience, the barometer is, par 

 excellence, the instrument for foretelling the weather, but we must draw 

 the line at Alaska. Everywhere else we pin our faith to the barometer, 

 but here the barometer is impotent ; it does nothing to aid, and every- 

 thing to confuse and distress the sailor and surveyor. 



The safest prediction to make is, that it will rain to-morrow, and 

 nine times out of ten you'll be about right. 



How one does enjoy a day when the sun shines ! The joy is 

 emphasized by the privation. 



It is said that the greatest volcanic region in the world lies in the 

 north-west part of the United States, occupying a large tract in Idaho, 

 Washington, Oregon and California. The last eruption in this region is 

 said to have been that of Mount Baker near the British Columbia 

 boundary in 1870. However, Alaska has still several active volcanoes, 

 but none on the mainland, they are in the eastern Aleutian islands. 



One of the most notable features of the Alaskan coast is the glaciers. 

 Whenever the annual snowfall on mountains is greatly in excess of 



