582 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. 



Andromeda polifolia Linn. Wild Rosemaiy. 



This is an abundant shrub from Great Slave Lake northward, and 

 doubtless occurs also in muskegs south of that region. It was in full 

 flower on the Simpson Islands, Great Slave Lake, in July, 1903, was 

 common north of Fort Rae. and was extremeh^ abundant on the south- 

 ern shores of Great Bear Lake in late August, being then in fruit. 

 On the Mackenzie it was in full flower at Fort Xorman on June 11. 

 1901, and at Fort McPherson on Juh^ 1. 



It occurs abundantly on the Barren Grounds. It was collected by 

 Dease and Simj^son on the Arctic coast east of the Coppermine in 

 1839. The Tyrrell brothers took it on the north shore of Athaba^ka 

 Lake, and on Daly and Dubawnt lakes, in 1893; and J. AV. Tyrrell 

 collected specimens on Artillery and Clinton-Colden lakes in 1900. 



Chamaedaplme calyculata (Linn.) Moench. Leatherleaf. 



This marsh shrub is a common species in the muskegs probably 

 throughout the wooded area. It was abundant on the canoe route 

 north of Great Slave Lake in August, 1903. being then out of flower. 

 Along the Mackenzie it is common, and it was in full flower at Fort 

 Gorman on June 12. 1901. 



The Tyrrell brothers collected it on Selwyn Lake in 1893. 



Arctostaphylos uvaursi (Linn.) Spreng. Eed Bearberry. 



This trailing shrub is a common plant on the drier parts through- 

 out the territory covered by our observations, and extends also into 

 the Barren Grounds. It flowers during June and its bright red in- 

 edible berries persist through the winter. On the exposed southern 

 shores of Great Bear Lake it is dwarfed, with very small leaves, and 

 its fruit was ripe at the end of August. 1903. 



The various native tribes smoke the dried leaves, usually mixed 

 with tobacco. 



Mairania alpina (Limi.) Desv. Alpine Bearberry. 



This herbaceous shrub is common in suitable places throughout 

 the wooded region, and northward into the Barren Grounds. Its 

 leaves turn a bright red in earh^ autumn, before the frosts, and often 

 large areas are brilliantly colored by them. The smooth, juicy berries 

 are attractive to the eye, but are nearly tasteless. Their color when 

 ripe may be either black or red. Of the myriads of fruited plants 

 which I observed on my trips all bore red berries except a few seen 

 near MacTavish Bay on August 27. 1903, at which time the leaves 

 had turned red. W. H. Osgood informs me that on the mountains 

 of Alaska black berries are the rule. 



Vitisidsea vitisidsa (Linn.) Britt. Mountain Cranberry. 



This widely distributed shrub occurs abundantly throughout the 

 region now under review. Its berries remain on the stems through 



