No. 389.] VACATION NOTES. 397 
carpet of beautiful mosses and liverworts, comprising numerous 
species.” Various species of Hypnum are the commonest,- but 
Polytrichum, Mnium, and others of the larger mosses were con- 
spicuous. Of the Hepatics, the cosmopolitan Pelia epiphylla 
and Conocephalus conicus were the most abundant, but there 
were a number of others which were common. Lichens also. 
were abundant and conspicuous. 
The mossy carpet was brightened with many charming flowers, 
mostly common northern genera. Linnza, Smilacina bifolia, 
Cornus canadensis, Moneses, and various Saxifragaceze were 
abundant, and in addition to these were beautiful ferns and 
the glossy fern-like leaves of Coptis sp.? Most of these wood- 
land flowers showed the white or pale pink color of so many 
of our vernal flowers, but there were a few of more vivid col- 
ors. The bright red and yellow columbine (Aquilegia formosa) 
was common, and a very handsome violet-purple iris, probably 
I. sibirica, was seen in some of the gardens, but was not met 
with growing wild, although it is said to be common in some 
parts of Alaska. 
Along the edges of the forest and in the clearings were 
thickets of the salmon-berry, Rubus speciosus, whose crimson 
flowers and big showy orange and scarlet berries make it the 
handsomest of its tribe. The fruit is not unpalatable, but is 
far inferior in flavor to the ordinary red raspberry or the black- 
berry. They are highly prized by the natives, who preserve 
large quantities for winter use. Several other species of Rubus. 
are common, as well as various Vacciniums and species of wild 
currants, all of which are important articles of food among the 
Indians. 
Certain plants were noticed on some of the islands which were 
not seen about the town. Of these the most noteworthy were 
Campanula rotundifolia, which was very fine on one of the 
islands, popularly called “blue bell island ” ; Rubus nutkanus 
and Fritillaria kamtschatcense were also collected, the latter, 
however, past flower. 
The low ground in the neighborhood of Sitka is largely cov- 
ered with a growth of Sphagnum, and, as usual with peat bogs, 
harbors many interesting plants. Ina small lake back of the 
