1888-89.] the Coasts of Lapland and Siberia. 461 



Observations upon Collectons at the Yugor Straits. 



At the Yugor Straits we were at first sight impressed with 

 the widely different character of the vegetation. The plants 

 were growing less closely together, there was less variety 

 of species, the general habit of many that we had observed in 

 Lapland was reduced or dwarfed. Thus Salix sps, did not 

 exceed a foot in height, instead of forming bushes of 3 to 4 feet. 

 CaWia, Dryas, Eamtncidus, also Vaccinium idiginosum and 

 Rubus ChaTncemorus were noticeably different. 



A little examination on shore showed quickly that many 

 plants observed in Lapland were absent ; it was a long time 

 before we realised that the probable cause of this was to be 

 found in the very distinct nature of the land. We would 

 insist on this dependence upon physical features somewhat 

 strongly, because (as may be seen by reference to the tables 

 in the Summary) most of these plants, so noticeably absent 

 from the shores of the Yugor Straits, are known to be 

 distributed through Western Siberia. 



Before giving more detailed attention to these absent 

 forms, we may refer to the essential differences in physical 

 features. 



Exposed slopes (Area I. in Lapland) are wanting from the 

 region immediately south of the Straits ; the Vaccinia, 

 Arctostaphyllos, Empetrum, Juniperus, Diapensia, are therefore 

 absent ; Betula nana is certainly not at all common, though 

 reported from that region in the account of the voyage of 

 " Dijmpha; " Lycopodia similarly are absent, or, as is the case 

 with Lycopodium Selago, uncommon. 



Nor are rocky places (Area III. in Lapland) present. The 

 sandy sea-beach is the only equivalent where alone most of 

 the plants characterising this area were found. A few 

 scattered boulders upon the " tundra " were covered with 

 Lichenes, which, however, are more conspicuously absent than 

 would be expected. 



The characteristic feature is of course the " tundra," — level 

 extents (Area II. in Lapland), only very rarely exhibiting a 

 turf over sandy tracts, and commonly consisting of peaty 

 bogs and pools or ponds of large size. Here is to be found 

 typically a monotonous vegetation, spread probably for 

 thousands of miles over the northern part of the country. 



