CATT. MARKIIAAI AT FORT CIIURCHILL, ETC. 
355 
several of them I shall have to refer again, as showing by their 
comlition the dilferencc between the vegetation of the somewhat 
more sheltered and warmer Mainland, and that of the bleak 
storm-swept and terribly coM Island clasped in the ice of the 
Straits. 
The peculiarity wliich most strikes one in e.Kamining this 
collection is the enormous proportion of berry-bearing plants to 
tlie total number ; out of thirty-eight species there are no less than 
si.K wliich would bear berries of suHlcient size and quality to lielp 
largely in the support of man and animals ; these arc a Strawberry, 
a Ilaspberry, two Gooseberries, a liilberry, and an Arbutus. Ilorry- 
bearing seems a special attribute of the iilants of the North East 
American Hudson’s 1 lay Territory. John Davis found “red fruit 
growing on the rock.s, sweet, and full of red juice, and the ripe 
ones like corinths;” and IMcLean enumerates lilueberry. Cran- 
berry, Gooseberry, Currant, Strawberry, ami two Ihuspberries 
(Itiihus Clmnui’im>rus and R. arcficus) a.s plentiful. Hearn says, 
“ Gooseberries spread along the ground like vines. Cranberries 
grow in great abundance near Churchill. Dewater Berries [as he 
calls them — perhaps the fruit of Ruhtii^ Cliamtnnorux], ripe in 
August, something like strawberries, wholesome and anti-scorbutic. 
Currants, both red and black. Juniper Berries, called by the 
Indians Crowberries. Strawberries of considerable size and very 
goml llavour, as far north as Churchill liiver, particularly in places 
Avhich have been burnt. Heathberries [Avhatever they may be] so 
plentiful that in some years you cannot Avalk without treading on 
them, near Churchill. Eyeberries, Partridge berries, and ‘ Hips,’ 
very plentiful, and of various sizes.” Thus, fruit might form a large 
item in the summer food of the inhabitants of Churcliill. We 
shall find matters changed when we come to consider the “Island” 
llora from this point of view. Altogether the look of the specimens 
from Churchill indicates a fairly fertile soil, and no such excessive 
degree of Winter cold as to interfere prejudicially Avith herbaceous 
vegetation, though Ave find from Hearn’s account that the forest 
Trees are very feAv indeed; Pine, Juniper, small scraggy Poplar, 
creeping Birch, and dAvarf WilloAvs ; but further Avest, in the 
Athabasca country (same latitude) the Pines, Larch, Poplar, and 
Birch Trees grow to a great size, the Alder also grows there. 
I find — 45° E. quoted as a very exceptional Avinter temperature 
at Churchill, the loAvest for many years. 
