440 



SKETCH OF THE FLORA OF ALASKA. 



tlie Pelly may have borne them nortli, and that of the Mackenzie done the same 

 for its banks. Once established on the shores of the latter river a short transit 

 would again place them within reach of the waters of the Porcupine, and this 

 could bear them to and beyond Fort Youkon. 



At the same point some plants (few, indeed) have been found that might more 

 naturally have been expected to be confined to the Arctic coast. I do not as }-et 

 atteni})t any explanation of why this place should be a meeting-ground for some 

 few sj;ecies of more northern and more southern plants. 



In how far can our Alaskan possessions raise the grains and vegetables suf- 

 ficient to support an active population ? Vague rumors have reached our cars of 

 this or that hardy vegetalde raised at Fort St. Michael or Youkon and after- 

 wards gracing the taldes there. Such gardening comes more under the head of 

 possibilities than of daily support. I think we cannot say more yet than that 

 barley and oats will grow at Sitka, and just possibly at Kodiak. Potatoes, 

 radishes, cabbages, cauliflowers, peas, onions, carrots, and tuniips may be de- 

 pended upon as far north as Kodiak, with greater or less certainty. The timber 

 of Alaska is certainly valuable, and much needed on the Pacilic coast. 



Among the grasses enumerated in our list will be found a number of value as 

 forage plants. The forests once cleared it is certain some of the hardier grasses 

 can be raised, and in considerable quantity. Dr. Kellogg, in his report on the 

 botany of the country, informs us that (Pldcnm pratcnscj timothy flourishes. 

 As he has not stated in what part, we may })erhaps suppose he meant at Sitka, 

 or, possibly, even Kodiak. Several species of bromus are found in various parts 

 of Alaska, and among them may l)e found perhaps a forage that can be tised as 

 a dernier resort. Poa atmua, or annual spear-grass, grows at Sitka, and afl"ords 

 an early and acceptable pasture ; the moist climate of Sitka would, dtmbtless, 

 suit it well. The Kentucky blue-grass fPoa pratcnsis) is found as far north as 

 Ounalashka and Kotzebue sound ; the uell-known hardihood of this grass and 

 the readiness with which it is eaten by cattle give it a value. The wood meadow- 

 grass (Poa ncmoralisj also flourishes at Kotzebue sound, and we may suppose 

 would also at more southern stations ; it furnishes good, nutritive food, of which 

 cattle are very fond. Water spear-grass f GJyccria aqiiaiica) has been sent us from 

 Sitka, and if cut early makes a hay well relished by cattle. Blue joint-grass 

 f Calamagrostis Canadensis) grows as far north as Kotzebue sound, and may be 

 fairly considered a valuable grass. Its yield is often enormous; I have seen it 

 in northern British Columbia growing three feet high, and covering the fipen 

 grounds there to the exclusion of everything else; its Ivixuriance was perfectly 

 astonishing. Doubtless tc me of the sedges and rushes (JimciJ could be made 

 available in times of scarcity. 



I have enumerated within the limits of Alaska 732 species of plants, includ- 

 ing the crypt ogamia; of these 560 S])ecies are phanoganis, which represent 57 

 orders. Of oxogens there are 419 species; of endogens, 141 species. 



Without going into minute proportions I find the following table gives the 

 relative developcment of each of the important orders in comparison with the 

 entile i)h<enogamic flora : 



Order. 



Genus. 



CompositaB 1-10 



Gittminefe 1-1 1 



Cyperacese ]-14 



Cruciferce 1-17 



Saxifragacese 1-17 



Ericaceae 1-17 



Rosacese 1-19 



Ranunculacea! l-"20 



Sci opbulariaceffi 1-22 



Carex 32 



Saxifiaga 24 



Vacciuium 9 



Pedicularis 10 



Veronica G 



