440 



SKETCH OF THE FLORA OF ALASKA. 



the Pelly may have home them north, and that of the Mackenzie clone 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 yet 

 attempt any explanation of why this place should be a meeting-ground for some 

 few species 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 ears of 

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

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

 possibilities fhan 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, can-ots, and turnips 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 Pacific 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 no (PNcuni pratense) timothy flourishes. 

 As he has not stated'in what pari, we may perhaps suppose he meant at Sitka, 

 or, possiV>ly, even Kodiak. Several species of bromus are found in various parts 

 of Alaska', and among them may be found perhaps a forage that can be used as 

 a dernier resort. Poa annua, or annual spear-grass, grows at Sitka, and affords 

 an early and acceptal)le pasture ; the nK»ist climate of Sitka would, doubtless, 

 suit it well. The Kentucky blue-grass (Foa pratensis) is found as far north as 

 Ounalashka and Kotzebue sound ; the well-kuowai hardihood of this grass and 

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

 grass (Poa nemoralis) 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 ( Ghjceria aquaUca) has been sent us from 

 Sitka, and if cut early makes a hay well relished by cattle. Blue join,+-^rass 

 f Calavuigrostis Canadensis J grows as far north as Kotzebue sound, and may be 

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

 iiTowing three feet high, and covering the open grounds there to the exclusion 

 of everything else ; its luxuriance was perfectly astonishing. Doubtless some 

 of the sedges and rashes fjtwcij could be made available in times of scarcity. 



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

 ing the cryptogamia ; of these 560 species are phsenogams, which represent 57 

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



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

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

 entire phenogsemic flora: 



Order- 



Genus. 



Compositae 1-10 



Graminese 1-11 



Cy peracese 1-14 



CrucifersE 1-17 



SaxilVagacese 1-17 



EricaceaB 1-17 



Eosacese 1-19 



Kanuuculacese 1-20 



ScropbulariacetE 1-22 



Carex 32 



Saxifraga 24 



Vaccinium 9 



Pediciilaris 10 



Veronica 



