1895.] Geography and Travels. 357 
or river valleys, of the Yenisei, Olenek, Lena and Yana rivers, is one 
great timber belt, averaging more than 1,000 miles in breadth from 
north to south—being fully 1,700 miles wide in the Yenisei district— 
and having a length from east to west of not less than 4,600 versts, 
about 3,000 miles. Unlike equatorial forests, the trees of the Siberian 
taigas are mainly conifers, comprising pines of several varieties, firs 
and larches. In the Yenisei, Lena and Olensk regions there are thou- 
sands of square miles where no human being hasever been. The long- 
stemmed conifers rise to a height of 150 feet or more and stand so 
closely together that walking among them is difficult. 
The dense, lofty tops exclude the pale Arctic sunshine, and the 
straight, pale trunks, all looking exactly alike, so bewild 
the obscurity that all sense of direction is lost. Even the most ex- 
perienced trappers of sable dare not venture into the dense taigas with- 
out taking the precaution of “blazing” the trees constantly with 
hatchets as they walk forward. If lost there the hunter rarely finds 
his way out, but perishes miserably from starvation or cold. The na- 
tives avoid the taigas, and have a name for them which signifies 
“ places where the mind is lost.” 
The discussion closed very appropriately by Prof. Fernow, of Wash- 
ington, with an illustrated lecture, which showed how in the earlier 
ages forests had covered all the continental areas, and had rendered 
the climate equable to a degree now unknown. 
At first human beings battled with the forest in a fitful manner, mak- 
ing small clearings for themselves; but, gradually, by the aid of fire, 
and of their own increasing numbers, they have so far prevailed in the 
struggle for supremacy that the forests are hopelessly conquered. But 
grave evils follow their extermination ; and now the question is how to 
foster, protect and preserve them. (Quoted from Youth’s Companion, 
Scientific American, March, 1895.) 
