CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 



THE ARCTIC LANDS. 



The barren Grounds or Tundri. — Abundance of animal Life on the Tundri in Summer. — Their Silence 

 and Desolation in Winter. — Protection afforded to Vegetation by the Snow* — Flower-growth in 

 the highest Latitudes. — Character of Tundra Vegetation. — Southern Boundar_v-line of the barien 

 Grounds. — Their Extent. — The forest Zone. — Arctic Trees. — Slowness of their Growth. — Monotony 

 of the Northern Forests. — Mosquitoes. — The various Causes which determine the Severity of an 

 Arctic Climate. — Insular and Continental Position. — Currents. — Winds. — Extremes of Cold observed 

 bv Sir E. Belcher and Dr. Kane. — How is Man able to support the Rigors of an Arctic Winter? — 

 Proofs of a milder Climate having once reigned in the Arctic Regions. — Its Cause according to 

 Dr. Oswald Heer.— Peculiar Beauties of the Arctic Regions. — Sunset.^Long lunar Nights.— The 

 Aurora Page 17 



CHAPTER IL 



ARCTIC LAND QUADRUPEDS AND BIRDS. 



The Reindeer. — Structure of its Foot. — Clattei-ing Noise when walking. — Antlers. — Extraordinary 

 olfactory Powers. — The Icelandic Moss. — Present and Former Range of the Rgindeer. — Its invalu- 

 able Qualities as an Arctic domestic Animal. — Revolts against Oppression. — Enemies of the Rein- 

 deer.— The Wolf.— The Gluiton or Wolverine.— Gad-flies.— The Elk or Moose-deer. — The Musk- 

 ox. — The Wild Sheep of the Rocky Mountains.— The Siberian Argali. — The Arctic Fox.— Its Bur- 

 rows. — The Lemmings. — Their Migrations and Enemies. — Arctic Anatida?. — The Snou-bnnting. — 

 The Lapland Bunting.— The Sea-eagle.— Drowned by a Dolphin • , . .84 



CHAPTER III. 



THE ARCTIC SEAS. 



Dangers peculiar to the Arctic Sea. — Ice-fields. — Hummocks. — Collision of Ice-fields. — Icebergs. — Their 

 Origin. — Their Size. — The Glaciers which give them Birth.— Their Beauty. — Sometimes useful 

 Auxiliaries to the Mariner. — Dangers of anchoring to a Berg. — A crumbling Berg. — The Ice-blink. 

 —Fogs. — Transparency of the Atmosphere. — Phenomena of Reflection ami Refraction. — Causes 

 which prevent the Accumulation of Polar Ice. — Tides.— Currents. — Ice a bad Conductor of Heat.— 

 Wise Provisions of Nature ■!"> 



CHAPTER IV. 



ARCTIC MARINE ANIMALS. 



Populousness of the Arctic Seas. —The Greenland Whale. —The Fin Whales.— The Narwhal.— 

 The Beluga, or White Dolphin.— The Black Dolphin.— His wholesale Massacre on the Facroe Isl- 

 ands.— The Ore, or Grampus.— The Seals.— The Walrus.— Its acute Smell.— History of a young 

 Walrus.— Parental Affection.- The Polar Bear.— His Sagacity.— Hibernation of the She-bear.— 

 Sea-birds 59 



CHAPTER V. 



ICELAND. 



Volcanic Origin of the Island.— The Klofa Ji3kul.— Lava-streams.— The Burning Mountains of Krisn- 

 vik.— The Mud-caldrons of Reykjahlid.— The Tungo-hver at Reykholt— The Great Geysi''-— Tlie 



