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heavier in the summer of 1892 than in any other since the American 

 occupation of Ahxska. From my arrival at Yakutat Ba}^ on May 19 

 until my departure on September 1, a i^eriod of 107 days, there were 

 but 24 days wholly without rain. 



The plant life of the region about Yakutat Bay is characterized by 

 the dense and vigorous growth of a comparatively small number of 

 species, giving the forests especially an appearance of great sameness. 



The almost level country lying on the eastern side of the bay, between 

 Ocean Cape and the foothills of the mountains, is covered with a forest 

 growth practically impenetrable. The great amount of fallen timber, 

 together Avith the tangled and heavy undergrowth, constitute such 

 obstacles to travel that even the Indians, who have lived here many 

 years, have never penetrated the forests of the mainland for a mile from 

 their own village. The great bulk of this forest is composed of the 

 Sitka spruce {Picea sitchensis), which in this region reaches a height of 

 70 feet. This tree extends from sea level to an altitude of 2,200 feet on 

 the sides of Mount Tebenkof; but as one follows the. coast line up the 

 bay from this mountain, the upper limit becomes lower and lower, until 

 at the entrance of Disenchantment Bay it reaches sea level, the tree 

 not being found on the shores of this bay. A large forest lies along 

 Dalton Creek, and there are several of considerable extent between this 

 place and Point Manby. 



The timber of the spruce tree plays a most important part in the 

 economy of the natives, as from it are constructed their houses and 

 cauoes, and it is used in the manufacture of oil crates, bows, arrows, 

 and other implements, while the smaller roots, after being boiled and 

 split, are used in basket weaving. 



The hemlock {Tsiuja mertemiana) is found scattered through the 

 spruce forests, and seems to have about the same vertical range as 

 that tree, but is much less abundant and is somewhat smaller in size. 

 The only other conifer found in this vicinity was a single individual of 

 Sitkii (ijYtvefis {Chamwcyparis xootlcateims), n small tree on Khautaak 

 Island near the Indian village. 



The red alder {Alnus ruhra) is found in great quantities throughout 

 the forest region, especially on the edges of open glades, along the 

 banks of streams, near ihe beach, and on the mountain sides, above 

 the limit of spruce. On the western slope of Mount Tebenkof it reaches 

 an altitude of 3,000 feet, 800 feet higher than spruce and hemlock, and 

 grows on these higher slopes in auch dense Jungles as to be almost 

 impenetrable, constituting one of tbe most serious obstacles to moun- 

 tain climbing in this region. On the shores of Disenchantment Bay, 

 where the spruce is not found, the alder reaches an altitude of 800 feet. 

 This tree is also foun.d in large quantities along the western shore of 

 the bay. 



A willow {Salix harelayi), growing from 5 to 10 feet high, is found 

 sparingly on Khantaak Island and in the low forest region, and is 

 abundant in the Avide canyons and washes of the St. Elias range and 



