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- 
. 
