57 



PLATE XVIII. 



KAMTSCHATKA. 



FOREST ON THE UPPER KAMTSCHATKA RIVER. 



July. 



We have here reached the fine extensive plains through which the Upper Kamts- 

 chatka winds its way. Although the ground is everywhere covered with forest, 

 strong proofs of a former dense population are visible ; especially of places like the 

 one here represented, it may be assumed that at one time or other they were oc- 

 cupied by human habitations. This is chiefly indicated by the frequent occurrence 

 and the strong development of shrubby Spirceas, of which principally the larger 

 species (Spircea salici folia ?) always prefers inhabited places and forms that kind 

 of brushwood. This Spiroea is distinguished by its fine cylindrical branches of 

 pale pink flowers ; Spircea betulifolia and Spircea chamcedrifolia, both having 

 white flowers, are found in its company. Very seldom is wanting a shrubby Loni- 

 cera, the fruit of which occupied the first place amongst the various edible berries, 

 of which Kamtschatka produces such quantities. High shrubs of the Crataegus and 

 Black Willow, alluded to in describing the last plate, are here seen growing in their 

 peculiar manner above the low brushwood. In front of them is a small plain of 

 very dry clayey soil, amongst the scanty grass of which beautiful flowers here and 

 there make their appearance. The most conspicuous of these is a dark blue Flag 

 (Iris, 8 f), very abundant in the country, and bearing some resemblance to Iris 

 Germanica, but being by its luxuriant habit highly ornamental. A low creeping 

 Aster, pale violet with a yellow centre, is not wanting about this season on dry 

 places of this kind. The banks of the river are overgrown partly by rather tall 

 grasses, partly by willow bushes, amongst which luxuriate a number of fine herbs, 

 such as a couple of large-flowering species of Achillea and the Sonchus Sibiricus, 



two yards high ^3 | 4 |^ . The latter generally begin to flower when the above- 

 mentioned Flag is fading. The high shrub on the right-hand side of the fore- 



