13 



and by luiinerous photographs, showing the topography of the 

 island and the characteristics of the different i)lant formations. 

 Kadiak Island is 58° north latitude and 155*^ west longitude and 

 is 30 miles from the mainland. It is 90 miles long by 50 wide 

 and has a very irregular coast line. The surface is much diver- 

 sified and broken. A fresh-water lake about 20 miles long is 

 situated in the northwestern part of the island. It is connected 

 with the sea by the Karluk river and furnishes an ideal breeding- 

 ground for the red salmon. One of the most important fishing 

 stations and canning plants in the world is located near the mouth 

 of this river. The winters are very long, beginning early in Octo- 

 ber, but they are not intensely cold. The lowest temperature 

 during the two years of Mr. Home's stay was — 10°. There is 

 much mild weather and frequent thaws. The soil freezes only 

 to a depth of from one to two feet, and the frost is out of the 

 ground early in June. The highest summer temperature noted 

 was 72°. The Chinese laborers in the canning factory make 

 gardens where they cultivate successfully many of the more hardy 

 vegetables. 



The principal plant formations discussed were those of the 

 low-lying bogs, the comparatively level grass lands, the higher- 

 lying peat bogs, and the alpine flora occupying the rocky hills. 

 Mannc plants are not particularly conspicuous though many 

 brown and red seaweeds occur. Two species of Potatiiogctoii are 

 found in the river at the point where the salt and fresh water 

 meet. Above this point the river is comparatively free from 

 vegetation. The country is well watered by small streams. 

 These are often full of various green algae and they are fre- 

 quently dammed by dense growths of mosses. Some of the 

 smaller slower brooks are completely blocked by den.se growths 

 of species of VaucJicria which so retard the flow of the water as 

 to form low wet bogs that are covered with a characteristic vege- 

 tation. The earliest plant to flower in the spring in these I'aii- 

 clicria bogs is the small Clayto)iia asarifolia: Other conspicuous 

 spring plants are a species oi Kiiincx, Calllia palustris, and various 

 species of the Cruciferae. These bogs are the most showy in 

 niidsuninicr when filled with PolcDioitiimi aciitifoliuni, several 



