322 • VOYAGE OF THE ^' POLARIS." 



rocks. The soil during this period was covered with a more or" 

 less dense vegetation of Moss, with which several Arctic Plants 

 were interspersed, some of them of considerable beauty, but 

 entirely without scent, and many small Willows, scarcely reaching 

 the dignity of shrubs. 



" The rocks noticed were of a schistose or slaty nature, and in 

 some instances contained fossil plants, specimens of which were 

 collected. 



" Distinct evidence of former glaciers were seen in localities 

 now bare of ice, these indications consisting of the occurrence of 

 terminal and lateral moraines. 



" Animal life was found to abound, Musk-oxen being shot at 

 intervals throughout the winter. Wolves, Bears, Foxes, Lemmings, 

 and other Mammals were repeatedly observed. 



" Geese, Ducks, and other Water Fowls, with Plover and other 

 Wading Birds, abounded during the summer, although the species 

 of Land Birds were comparatively few, including, however, as 

 might have been expected, large numbers of Ptarmigan or Snow- 

 partridge. 



" No Fish were seen, although the net and line were frequently 

 called into play in the attempt to obtain them. The water, how- 

 ever, was found filled to an extraordinary degree with marine 

 Invertebrata, including Jelly-fish and Shi'imps ; Seals are very 

 abundant. Numerous Insects were observed, also especially 

 several species of Butterfiies, specimens of which were collected ; 

 also Flies and Bees, and Insects of like character." 



2. ''Nature;' March 26, 1874, vol. ix., p. 405.— " Zoology and 

 Botany. — The collections of Natural History are almost entirely 

 lost. With the exception of two small cases containing animals, 

 minerals, and one package of plants, nothing could be rescued. 

 The character of the Fauna is North- American, as indicated by 

 the occurrence of the Lemming and the Musk-ox. Nine species 

 of Mammals were found, four of which are Seals. The Birds are 

 represented by 21 species. The number of species of Insects is 

 about 15, namely, one Beetle, four Butterflies, six Diptera, one 

 Humble-bee, and several Ichneumons, parasites in caterpillars. 

 Further, two species of Spiders and several Mites were found. 

 The animals of lower grade are not ready yet for examination. 



" The Flora is richer than could be expected, as not less than 17 

 Phanerogamic Plants were collected, besides three Mosses, three 

 Lichens, and five freshwater Algae. 



*' Geology. — Although the formation of the Upper Silurian 

 Limestone, which seems to constitute the whole west coast north 

 of the Humboldt Glacier, is very uniform, some highly interest- 

 ing and important observations have been made. It is found that 

 the land is rising, as indicated, for instance, by the occurrence 

 of marine animals in a freshwater lake more than 30 feet above 

 the sea-level and far out of reach of the spring-tides. 



"Wherever the locality was favourable, the land is covered 

 with Drift, sometimes containing very characteristic lithological 

 specimens, the identification of which with rocks in South 



