ALASKA AND THE KLONDIKE. 13 



antly than on the oaks of Florida. The ground beneath the trees and 

 the fallen monarchs of the forest are densely covered with a soft, 

 feathery carpet of mosses, lichens, and ferns of all possible tints of 

 brown and green. The day I traversed this enchanted valley was 



bright and sunny in the upper regions, but the valley was filled with 

 drifting vapors. At one minute nothing would be visible but the 

 somber forest through which the white mist was hurrying; and the 

 next the veil would be swept aside, revealing with startling distinct- 



