Dutcher Mammals of Mt. Katahdin, Maine. 65 



firs. Its eastern edge is marked by a very small glacial pond in 

 the moraine. The middle basin is covered to its head with a 

 forest of balsams, which climb 100 feet above it, to 3500 feet 

 in suitable localities. 



The entire mountain is composed of white and pink granite. 

 The plateau is covered with rough granitic masses that are be 

 ing disintegrated by frost. This leveling action of the frost 

 has in places evenly carpeted the surface with small granite 

 flakes, varying from the size of the hand to three or four times 

 as large. 



The rainfall is so great on the mountain top that its entire 

 surface is moist at all times, and there are at least four perennial 

 seepage springs on the tableland. Two of these are in the 

 fir scrub, which has been cleared for a short distance around 

 them by the gathering of animals to drink in times gone by. 

 The water does not flow out on the surface, but is found sub- 

 terraneously in little depressions among moss-covered rocks. At 

 one of these springs, at an altitude of 4500 feet, I camped for 

 four nights, while attempting to secure specimens of the native 

 microtine. 



Trapping was done at various localities from the base camp, 

 at the union of the Wissataquoick and East Branch Penobscot 

 Rivers, at 450 feet, to the tableland, at 4500 feet. 



The following 36 species of mammals are recorded from Mt. 

 Katahdin. 



Rangifer caribou (Gmel). Woodland Caribou. 



The caribou is an animal of the past in the Katahdin region. Today 

 all that remains is its bones in the porcupine dens. From accounts re 

 ceived, there have been two migrations of caribou from northern Maine, 

 within the memory of inhabitants now living. The last of these oc 

 curred about six years ago. 



Unfortunately the awakening of public sentiment in regard to the im 

 portance of game preservation did not take place while the animals 

 were still abundant, and their absence now can in part at least be at 

 tributed to wanton destruction. 



Alces americanus (Clinton). Moose. 



The recent protective legislation has in the opinion of the natives, re 

 sulted in allowing a very considerable increase in the numbers of moose. 



