68 THE PLANT WORLD 



Passing on upwards from this narrow belt at tlie base of tlie hills, 

 we came upon higher and drier ground, hence new forms sprang up 

 different from those of the tundra and shady places. Among these 

 may be mentioned two beautiful poppies, a phlox, two campanulas, a 

 solidago, two senecios, two or three antennarias, an arnica, the com- 

 mon dandelion and yarrow, and other members of the Compositae. 

 The Heath Family was well represented, as was also the Pink Family. 

 In addition to these, there were many leguminous plants. Some of 

 these were very minute and beautiful. Little Woodsia glabella presented 

 a dainty appearance among these small plants which decorated the 

 steep slopes of the mountain terraces. On the ledges of solid rock 

 grew Filix fragUis. This was also collected under the large rock 

 shaped like an anvil, on the highest point. Anvil Mountain takes its 

 name from this rock. 



On the summit of these storm swept hills, or mountains, as they 

 are called in that country, lichens and mosses are the chief forms of 

 vegetation. There is a dark colored hchen, perhaps an Usnea, which 

 gives the summits a doleful appearance. Occasionally a few heaths, 

 arenarias, arnicas and blue-bells crop out here and there to break the 

 monotony. 



For botanical purposes, the country may be divided into three dis- 

 tinct areas, namely, the tundra, including the ponds and the sluggish 

 streams spreading out over it forming swales; second, the narrow belt 

 connecting the tundra ^vith the mountains; and third, the mountains 

 themselves, having a very rich flora on their lower slopes, while their 

 summits bear only those plants that can endure the severe storms and 

 the scanty soil. In fact, the summits might be considered a fourth 

 area, though no new plants were observed. A few of the hardy plants 

 which grew profusely on the slopes, were stunted and matted here. 



Owing to the moist climate and the abundance of moss and lichens, 

 and the power of these plants to retain moisture, they have very little 

 respect for habitat. The twin-flower {Linnaea borealis), was observed 

 on the tundra and on the dry moss-covered rocks. This can also be 

 said of many other plants. Very often the rocky peaks are enveloped 

 by the clouds or swept by storms, while the weather is fairly pleasant 

 a few hundred feet below. 



Within a short distance of Nome City — about five miles north and 

 eighteen west — the writer collected about 170 spermatophytes and 20 

 pteridophytes, besides many bryophytes and a few lichens. 



Tacoma, Washington. 



