THE MACKENZIE ; ITS FLORA, FAUNA AND PEOPLE. 



gion, and in favored localities attains quite 

 a size. It is sufficiently abundant to supply 

 all the needs of the country. Tamarack, 

 poplar and birch are found also, but too 

 small to be valuable. Birch sufficient for 

 sleds, snowshoes and canoes, though of in- 

 ferior size and quality, is found. Willow 

 and alder exist everywhere on lowlands. 

 Moss covers all the country nearly, though 



has both game and fur bearers. The for- 

 mer are nowhere found in large numbers. 

 Moose are found throughout the lowlands 

 in limited numbers. Caribou are in the 

 mountains East of the Mackenzie, and in 

 the barren grounds as well as in the Rocky 

 mountains. In these latter mountains are 

 also the Ovis dalli. Goats are found in 

 the Rockies as far North as 6s degrees, 



AMATEUR PHOTO BY A. J. STONE. 



TAPPEES, OR DOG BLANKETS; USED ONLY ON STATE OCCASIONS. 



but little grass grows. I found little at- 

 traction in the direction of wild flowers, 

 either as to number or variety. 



Gooseberries, raspberries, black and red 

 currants, cranberries, blueberries and sev- 

 eral other varieties which I did not recog- 

 nize are native. Blueberries are everywhere 

 and abundant. 



The Mackenzie river country can scarcely 

 be called a game or fur country, though it 



among the sources of North Nahanna. The 

 musk ox is found in the barrens East of 

 the basin, but, I believe, does not range into 

 the basin itself. 



The game birds are sharp tailed grouse, 

 spruce grouse, rock and willow ptarmigan, 

 which remain all the year. Ducks breed in 

 the lake region. The flight of geese in the 

 fall only lasts about 3 days. 



Martens, beavers, bears, foxes, lynxes, 



