DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 27 



where abundant, and of many varieties. Birds sang and flitted among 

 the bushes, coveys of ptarmigan sprang out a1 my approach, and the 

 sun, which at times shone through lowering clouds, helped to make 

 the day such an one as is often experienced in summer among New 

 England bills. 



When the top of the hill was reached a view to the north was had 

 for 20 miles or more. The rolling uplands gradually receded until they 

 reached a low, flat marsh through which the stream known as the Kar 

 avaxarak River was seen wending its way southward. As far north as 

 the eye could reach not a mountain was to be seen, and the bank of the 

 river gradually rose on each side to higher land until it disappeared 

 from view in gentle undulations many miles to the north. 



From the point from which I made my observations to Kotzebue 

 Sound, 00 or 70 miles north, I am told by natives the country is com- 

 parative^ 7 level, no mountains being encountered until within a few 

 miles of the sound, and they are not higher than those east of Cape 

 Prince of Wales. 



To the east and southeast, but G or 8 miles away, lie the mountains 

 visible from the station, and not a particle of snow was to be seen upon 

 their highest tops. 



Among the grasses were found bunches of redtop and patches of 

 timothy, while on the lower lands soft and nutritious grass, resembling 

 blue joint, was in places abundant. 



In the whole aspect of the country, its soil and verdure, there was 

 not the remotest appearance of anything that would suggest that we 

 were within less than one degree of the line which defines the arctic 

 circle. 



After traversing the sides and top of this hill and viewing the coun- 

 try until I became satisfied that deer food was abundant, I took to 

 the oomiak and crossed to the opposite shore. 



Here the lowlands reach the base of the mountains in from 2 to 3 

 miles, and the country is lower than upon the wesc side. The same 

 abundance of feed exists, however, and moss perhaps in greater quan- 

 tity. In oue locality it grew to such extent that four of my natives 

 scraped up with their hands in a few moments enough to make a pile 

 6 or 8 feet high and as many feet through. 



Moss grows with little depth of root and is easily plucked from the 

 loose soil. I here state that moss is, strictly speaking, a winter food. 

 It seems to acquire its nutritive quality as the cold season advances 

 and possesses it to such an extent that reindeer thrive upon it as well 

 as upon the grass, willow, and other feed for which they abandon it at 

 the first appearance of spring. 



I will further state in this connection that the surface of the country 

 which I have described, and which has the appearance of being smooth, 

 is an endless succession of broken surfaces or low mounds varying 

 from a few feet to as many yards across, the spaces between being 



