CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE ARCTIC LANDS. 



The barren Grounds or Tundri. — Abundance of animal Life on the Tundri in Summer.— Their Silence 

 and Desolation in Winter. — Protection afforded to Vegetation by the Snow. — Flower-growth in 

 the highest Latitudes. — Character of Tundra Vegetation. — Southern Boundary-line of the barren 

 Grounds. — Their Extent. — The forest Zone. — Arctic Trees. — Slowness of their Growth. — Monotony 

 of the Northern Forests. — Mosquitoes. — The various Causes which determine the Severity of an 

 Arctic Climate. — Insular and Continental Position, — Currents. — Winds. — Extremes of Cold observed 

 by Sir E. Belcher and Dr. Kane. — How is Man able to support the Rigors of an Arctic Winter ? — 

 Proofs of a milder Climate having once reigned in the Arctic Regions. — Its Cause according to 

 Dr. Oswald Heer. — Peculiar Beauties of the Arctic Regions.— Sunset. — Long lunar Nights.— The 

 Aurora Page 17 



CHAPTER II. 



ARCTIC LAND QUADRUPEDS AND BIRDS. 



The Reindeer.— Structure of its Foot. — Clattering Noise when walking. — Antlers.— Extraordinary 

 olfactory Powers. — The Icelandic Moss.— Present and Former Range of the Reindeer. — Its invalu- 

 able Qualities as an Arctic domestic Animal. — Revolts against Oppression. — Enemies of the Rein- 

 deer.— The Wolf.— The Glutton or Wolverine.— Gad-flies.— The Elk or Moose-deer.— The Musk- 

 ox. — The Wild Sheep of the Rocky Mountains. — The Siberian Argali. — The Arctic Fox. — Its Bur- 

 rows. — The Lemmings. — Their Migrations and Enemies. — Arctic Anatidse. — The Snow-bunting. — 

 The Lapland Bunting. — The Sea-eagle. — Drowned by a Dolphin 34 



CHAPTER III. 



THE ARCTIC SEAS. 



Dangers peculiar to the Arctic Sea. — Ice-fields. — Hummocks. — Collision of Ice-fields. — Icebergs. — Their 

 Origin. — Their Size. — The Glaciers which give them Birth. — Their Beauty, — Sometimes useful 

 Auxiliaries to the Mariner. — Dangers of anchoring to a Berg. — A crumbling Berg. — The Ice-blink. 

 — Fogs. — Transparency of the Atmosphere. — Phenomena of Reflection and Refraction. — Causes 

 which prevent the Accumulation of Polar Ice. — Tides. — Currents. — Ice a bad Conductor of Heat. — 

 Wise Provisions of Nature » 4» 



CHAPTER IV. 



ARCTIC MARINE ANIMALS. 



Populousness of the Arctic Seas. — The Greenland Whale. — The Fin Whales. — The Narwhal. — 

 The Beluga, or White Dolphin. — The Black Dolphin. — His wholesale Massacre on the Faeroe Isl- 

 ands, — The Ore, or Grampus. — The Seals. — The Walrus. — Its acute Smell.— History of a young 

 Walrus. — Parental Affection. — The Polar Bear. — His Sagacity. — Hibernation of the She-bear. — 

 Sea-birds „... 59 



CHAPTER V. 



ICELAND. 



Volcanic Origin of the Island.— The Klofa Jokul.— Lava-streams,— The Burning Mountains of Krisu- 

 vik.— The Mud-caldrons of Reykjahlid.— The Tungo-hver at Reykholt.— The Great Geysir.— The 



