240 
TI4E VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. XIV. 
As the west coast of Europe is washed by the Gulf Stream, 
there also runs along the Pacific coast of America a warm 
current, which gives the land a much milder climate than that 
which prevails on the neighbouring Asiatic side, where, as on 
the east coast of Greenland, there runs a cold northerly current. 
The limit of trees therefore in north-western America goes 
a good way north of Behring’s Straits, while on the Chukch 
Peninsula wood appears to be wholly wanting. Even at Port 
Clarence the coast is devoid of trees, but some kilometres 
a 
b 
ANIMAL FIGLiRE FROM AN ESKIMO GRAVE. 
a. From abOA^e. 6. From the side. 
(One-third of the natural size.) 
into the country alder bushes two feet high are met with, and 
behind the coast hills actual forests probably occur. Vegetation 
is besides already luxuriant at the coast, and far away here, on 
the coast of the New World, many species are to be found 
nearly allied to Scandinavian plants, among them the Linnma. 
Dr. Kjellman therefore reaped here a rich botanical harvest, 
valuable for the purpose of comparison with the flora of the 
neighbouring portion of Asia and other High Arctic regions. 
