566 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



amounted ill 1868 to 540 kilogrammes, in 1869 to 963, in 1870 to 882, in 

 1871 to 630, in 1872 to 306, and that the total annual yield may be pro- 

 bably estimated at three times as much. 



.Note 4, p. 57. Auks. 



A graphic description of the King-auks (Alle alle), which breed in 

 Spitzbergen, is given by Nordenskib'ld in the work above mentioned. 



The name auk is oftenest applied only to the razor-bills, but is also used 

 collectively for other members of the family Alcidae, such as guillemots 

 and puffins. 



Note 5, p. 59. Altrices and Prcecoces. 



Altrices or nidicolae are those birds which are more or less helpless 

 when hatched. They are often blind and naked, and unable to leave the 

 nest. The food-yolk has been mostly or wholly used up before birth, and 

 the young depend on what their parents bring them. Examples are 

 doves, hawks, and passerine birds. 



Praecoces or nidifugee are those birds which are more or less able to run 

 about when hatched. They are born with their eyes open, with a covering 

 of down, and with much of their yolk still unused. Examples are running 

 birds, fowl, gulls, and ducks. 



THE TUNDKA AND ITS ANIMAL LIFE. 



In addition to Nordenskiold's voyage, and other works already cited, the 

 following may be consulted by those who wish to amplify their picture of the 

 Tundra and its life : 



Seebohm. Siberia in Asia (1882). 



Jackson, F. G. The Great Frozen Land (Bolshaia Zemelskija Tundra). 

 Narrative of a winter journey across the Tundras and a sojourn among 

 the Samoyedes (ed. from the author's journal by A. Montefiore, 8vo, 

 London, 1895). 



Notes 6 and 7, pp. 63 and 71. The Tundra. 



With Brehm's picture of the Tundra, it is interesting to compare that 

 given by Mr. Seebohm in his address to the Geographical Section of the 

 British Association at Nottingham, 1893. (Scottish Geogr. Magazine, ix. 

 (1893), pp. 505-23, with map.) 



"In exposed situations, especially in the higher latitudes, the tundra 

 does really merit its American name of Barren Ground, being little else 

 than gravel beds interspersed with bare patches of peat or clay, and with 

 scarcely a rush or a sedge to break the monotony. In Siberia, at least, 

 this is very exceptional. By far the greater part of the tundra, both east 

 and west of the Ural Mountains, is a gently undulating plain, full of lakes, 

 rivers, swamps, and bogs. The lakes are diversified with patches of green 

 water plants, amongst which ducks and swans float and dive; the little 



