ruRNEE] CLIMATE AND VEGETATION. 173 



to 7 a. 111. While the ice is setting iu the river, and driven back and 

 forth by the tides, huge volumes of steam arise from the inky water 

 and are spread over the land by the light winds jirevai'iiug at that sea- 

 sou. This moisture deposited on the bushes and trees forms a most 

 beautiful sight. 



AURORAS. 



Auroras may be seen on most of the clear nights of the year. The- 

 month of June is, on account of its light nights, the only month in 

 which an aurora is not observable. 



VEGETATION. 



The northern limit of trees on the Labrador coast is in latitude 57°. 

 Here the conifers are stunted and straggling. Beyond the coast range 

 they attain a slightly higher altitude and thence continue to a point 

 about thirty miles north of the mouth of George's river. On the west- 

 ern side of the moutli of tliis river the trees are pushed back 15 to 20 

 miles fi-om the sea. At the mouth of Whale river, the trees attain a 

 height of 30 to 50 feet on the eastern (right) bank and within 2 miles 

 of the shore. On the left bank the trees do not approach to within 10 

 to 15 miles of the coast. At the mouth of False river they form a 

 triangular extension and attain considerable size, due in great measure 

 to the peculiar formation of a, huge amphitheater whose north wall 

 serves as an admirable jirotection against the cold winds from the bay. 

 On the western side of False river the tree line extends in a south- 

 westerly direction across the Koksoak and to the banks of the Leaf 

 river nearly at its source from the large lake. From the south side of 

 this lake the trees are very much scattered and attain inconsiderable 

 size, scarcely fitted for otlier uses than fuel. 



A line fiom this lake southwest to the eastern shore of Hudson 

 bay forms the northern limit of trees for the northwest portion of 

 the region. The people (Eskimo only) who dwell north of this line are 

 dependent upon the stunted willows and alders, growing in the deeper 

 ravines and valleys having a southern exposure. Large pieces of wood 

 are much sought for by tlie Eskimo of the northwest portion, for use 

 iu constructing their kaiaks, umiaks and paddles, as well as spear 

 shafts and smaller requirements for which the distorted stems of wil- 

 low and alder will not suffice. 



South of the line given as the northern limit of trees the growth 

 slowly attains greater size and extension of area. The timber north of 

 the Height of Land is comparatively small, the spruce and larch rarely 

 attaining a size greater than 12 to 15 inches at the ground and rapidly 

 tapering up for 2 feet or so above the surface. Above the height of 2 

 feet the stems slowly taper and, in a few instances, produce symmet- 

 rical stems for more than 1.") feet. The trees growing within 4(t miles 

 of Fort Chimo seldom exceed 10 inches iu diameter, and of the larger 



