2G0 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



throughout the narrative. Of these a few 

 instances are selected. 



In various parts of the coast bituminous 

 shale was noticed, which in two or three 

 places was on fire, giving out much smoke. 

 Dr. Richardson informs the general reader, 

 that the shale takes fire in consequence of 

 its containing a considerable quantity of 

 sulphur, in a state of such minute division, 

 that it very readily attracts oxygen from 

 the atmosphere ; and the combustion is 

 rendered more lively by the presence of 

 bitumen. A coast situated so high within 

 the Arctic circle cannot be expected to 

 furnish either an ample or luxuriant Flora. 

 The following is a summary of the vege- 

 table products of that part of the coast 

 visited by Dr. Richardson. 



" We noticed on the coast about one 

 hundred and seventy phcenogamous, or 

 flowering plants, being one-fifth of the num- 

 ber of species which exist fifteen degrees of 

 latitude farther to the southward. The 

 grasses, bents, and rushes, constitute only 

 one-fifth of the number of species on the 



