MINOR FUR INDUSTRIES. 103 



gradually into the black-spruce formatiou it appears to bo nioroly a 

 local variation of tlio latter. 



Extensive patches of blueberries occur in the slightly timbered 

 areas in the valleys over the entire interior. These areas are as a 

 rule covered with moss and a few black-spruce trees occur. Blue- 

 berries, raspberries, currants, and rose haws form a considerable 

 part of the diet of certain birds and animals throughout the fall and 

 early winter. 



Along the Bering Sea coast typical tundra formation is found. 

 This consists of a form of niggerhead grass in which blueberry bushes 

 are often common. Near the rivers the tundra is crossed by many 

 small streams, sloughs, and ponds which make travel almost impos- 

 sible dming the summer. The tundra reaches a short distance east 

 of Andreafski, on the Yukon, and Bethel, on the Kuskokwim. A few 

 willows are found in favorable places a short distance below these 

 points. Between the two rivers the tundra extends much farther 

 eastward, being found on the Kuskokwim-Yukon portage. 



This somewhat full description of the forest conditions prevailing 

 in the various regions visited is given because they are so largely the 

 determining factors in the distribution and abundance of the fur- 

 bearing animals. 



TRAPPING AND HUNTING GROUNDS. 



One can not fail to be impressed by the comparative scarcity of 

 birds and mammals in the interior of Alaska, not only in the number 

 of species but also in the number of individuals, in proportion to the 

 expanse of uninhabited country. During the migrating periods large 

 flocks of birds are often found, but they are the product of a large 

 area of country. In certain localities colonies of small mammals can 

 be found, but these localities are few. One may often walk for hours 

 in seemingly favorable districts without encountering a single species 

 of vertebrate life. In general, the individuals in any given region 

 are few in number and are thinly distributed. 



It has been stated by previous writers that the fur trade in the 

 interior of Alaska has dwindled to insignificance. Yet the sliipments 

 of fur from Alaska during the fur year from November 15, 1911, 

 to November 15, 1912, were far in excess of the purchases of the 

 old Russian-American country for any single year. The fur trade 

 to-day is, however, divided among a large number of dealers, and thus 

 appears to be very small. The fur animals are extremely scarce in 

 comparison to their abundance of a few years ago. The high price 

 which the various skins now command has caused the animals to be 

 hunted more assiduously than ever before, and as a result the total 

 output is relatively high. 



