SHOKES OF ILLULUK BAY. 



21 



from a distance to possess quite the same character as here described, so far as 

 they were not covered with uninterrupted fields of snow The exact snow-line it 

 would be rather difficult to determine, the irregular surface of the country and 

 the influence of the volcanic element on the temperature of the soil making the 

 character of the mountains appear chaotically mingled. Thus we found close to the 

 sea, though it was August, great masses of snow, which probably never disappear.* 

 The shrubby Alpine flora, principally known by the charming little Rhodo- 

 dendron Kamtschaticum, — the dark red blossoms of which generally occupy more 

 space than its woody parts, — the region of rhododendrons, often attains but a low 

 elevation, whilst in some localities herbage and the larger shrubby willows are grow- 

 ing gregariously at a much greater altitude. The extreme foreground of our plate 

 represents the gravelly shores of the innermost part of Illuluk Bay. A gregariously 

 growing Gar ex of a dark green chiefly covers large patches of gravel, alternating 

 with different littoral plants, amongst them fine yellow Compositce, peculiar to 

 the whole zone, the geographical range of which is proverbially great. A few steps 

 further inland commence those extensive thickets of herbs, which tinge those 

 parts of the shores not penetrated by the saline particles of the sea. Amongst them 

 predominates a socially growing aconite with dull green foliage, the numerous 

 dark-blue flowers of which are a peculiarity of the landscape. Mingled with it is 

 a smaller allied species, and the fine Heracleum lanatum, the umbels of which are 

 very conspicuous near the shores, especially about the rocky slopes ; the beautiful 

 Epilobium angustifolium, though it may be only in isolated specimens or small 

 groups, and a tall gregariously growing Artemisia. Very common, but highly 

 characteristic, is the lupine, easily recognised in our picture, and, as already men- 

 tioned, found in isolated specimens on the slopes of the highest mountains. Its 

 fine light-blue and white flowers, alternating with those of aconites, contribute 

 to some extent to the blue tinge which the shores exhibit about this time. Several 

 Carices and a number of beautiful grasses principally form the turf of this 

 country. 



* During my repeated visits to the Arctic region, disappeared in the following or third season, when 

 I observed similar masses of snow at the seaside, the plants, so long buried, would instantly resume 

 which did not melt during an entire summer, but their operations of life. — B. Seemann. 



