2 4 



ALASKA INSECTS 



resented. Eight species were reported by Mr. Banks in the 

 material brought from this point. To the writer the most inter- 

 esting Arachnid collected on the Expedition was secured here. 

 This was a pseudoscorpion found living in great numbers 

 beneath stones covered by flood tide. These curious creatures 

 seemed to be perfectly at home in this unusual habitat, and in 

 many cases the lower surfaces of the stones were covered with 

 silken bags full of their eggs or young. 



KUKAK BAY 



June jo-July 5. Kukak Bay is a small indentation in the 

 coast line of the mainland of the Alaska Peninsula north of 

 Kadiak Island. Late in the night of June 30 the steamer 

 bearing the Harriman Alaska Expedition entered this bay and 

 put off an exploring party of which the writer was a member. 

 Since the waters in this region are dangerous for navigation, the 

 ship could not approach very near the coast, so the landing was 

 effected in one of the metallic life-boats of the vessel. For 

 some time it was found difficult to land, owing to the partial 

 darkness and the rocky character of the shore, which bristled 

 with jagged volcanic fragments, but at break of day a suitable 

 spot was observed whereon a landing was accomplished, and 

 the party disembarked. On clambering up the shore the writer 

 was astonished at the beauty of the region. The coniferous 

 forest which had up to this time formed such a conspicuous 

 feature of the landscape was entirely absent, the only trees in 

 sight being a few groups of cottonwoods, while upon the hills 

 in the background clumps of dwarf alders (Alnus sinuatd) 

 stood out as dark green patches. We were evidently in the 

 transition between the forested area of Alaska and the great 

 treeless region which stretches westward over the Aleutian 

 Islands. It was subsequently discovered by our party that 

 groups of spruce trees occur at some distance in the interior. 



No settlement exists at Kukak, the only evidence of human 

 habitation being an abandoned log cabin, in which we took up 

 our quarters. As soon as some refreshment was had, the party 

 separated, in order to explore this interesting region. From an 

 entomological standpoint it represented a new environment, 



