1892.] ESSAYS. 87 



China a possibility. Thus Yesso is so situated that the way 

 was open for the immigration of Asiatic plants from north, 

 west, and south, and this fact, in connection with climatic and 

 other peculiarities to be mentioned, accounts for the extra- 

 ordinary richness of its flora. 



Yesso lies between about 41| and 45^ degrees north latitude ; 

 and, exclusive of narrow capes, extends from about 140 to 

 145 degrees east longitude. Its area is about 27,000 square 

 miles, — a little less than the area of Ireland. According to 

 Benjamin Smith Lyman, former Chief of the Geological Survey, 

 the island has 7000 square miles of land suitable for farming, 

 6000 square miles of pasturage, 5000 square miles of forest, 

 and 9000 square miles of mountains. He estimates that only 

 about twenty-five per cent, of the total area is fitted for cultiva- 

 tion, and from personal observation I judge that even this 

 estimate is too high. The fiice of the country is very moun- 

 tainous and rugged, although there are a few broad plains and 

 river valleys. The highest mountains attain an elevation of 

 about 8000 feet, but the great majority range from 1000 to 

 4000 feet in height ; and, except near the sea-shore where the 

 trees have been cut off to supply fuel to the fishermen, they 

 are wooded to their summits. The lower slopes, up to an 

 elevation of about five hundred to one thousand feet, accord- 

 ing to locality, are covered with a rich growth of deciduous 

 trees, — maples, oaks, magnolias, cercidiphyllums, elms, lindens, 

 cherries, and birches predominating. Above these altitudes 

 conifers, chiefly two species of spruce, predominate. All these 

 trees usually reach a large size. The growth is however, rather 

 open and scattered as a rule, and the undergrowth is charac- 

 terized l)y extraordinary luxuriance and density. By far the 

 most abundant and important plant here found is a kind of 

 bamboo grass (Arundinaria) which in places forms almost 

 impenetrable thickets, varying in height from two or three up 

 to ten or more feet according to the soil and altitude. The 

 leaves of this plant are evergreen, and it constitutes a most 

 valual>le and nutritious pasturage for deer, and also for cattle 

 and horses, Avhich in most parts of the islands keep in good 

 condition on it throuohout the winter months. Horses are 



