ARCTIC AMERICA. 59 



birds extend their migrations beyond the 60th degree of 

 north latitude. It is therefore highly probable, that 

 the zoological peculiarities of Arctic America are con- 

 fined to much narrower limits than those here specified; 

 and are, probably, concentrated in the direction of the 

 " barren grounds" and the extensive " prairies" of the 

 Arctic navigators. It is, in fact, these grassy plains, 

 which seem to be the chief metropolis of the many 

 peculiar kinds of grouse, and of large quadrupeds which 

 belong to this portion of the New World, mixed, indeed, 

 with some few species equally common to Northern 

 Europe. On the other hand, it may be said, that, as 

 the river St. Lawrence and the vast lakes which it con- 

 nects, suggest a natural division of Northern America 

 into two portions, so it may be presumed that its zoo- 

 logy might more correctly be treated of in the same 

 way. Our materials, however, for arriving at a cor- 

 rect judgment on these questions, are very defective ; 

 and after all, it must be remembered, that where nature 

 has made no absolute line of distinction, it is impossible 

 to be drawn by man. 



(83.) The fur-bearing animals, as we might expect, 

 in regions of almost perpetual snow, are principally 

 confined to this part of America ; and the traffic for 

 their skins is so important to commerce, that mer- 

 cantile associations have been formed by the Europeans 

 for this express object. The Hudson's Bay Company 

 of England is the best known ; and the number of skins 

 they annually import from their different stations, 

 would, to many, appear almost incredible. Among 

 such species as are known to inhabit the same latitudes 

 in Europe and Asia, are the common weasel (Mustela 

 vulgaris), the ermine (M. erminea), the pine marten 

 (Mustela martes), the wolverine (Gulo luscus), and the 

 Arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus) ; and we may add, the well- 

 known Polar or white bear, although its fur does not 

 appear much in demand. But the list of truly American 

 species is much more considerable ; bearing no pro- 



