462 
NOTES. 
The season was not sufficiently advanced to allow mo to judge of the charac¬ 
ters of the flora; but both Morton and linns think that the growth was much 
more forward than that of our own harbor. They describe the recesses of 
Lafayette Bay as rivalling in richness the growths of Minturn River. They 
brought back no collections; and it was only by carefully comparing known 
specimens found about Rensselaer Bay with those seen and recognised to the 
north by Hans that I was able to determine upon a certain number of plants. 
Some others—after availing myself of the advice of my friend Mr. Durand, to 
whose courtesy ns well as patient skill I am glad to bear tribute — I have not 
felt myself at liberty to insert in this limited list. This enumeration must not 
be regarded as an index of tho actual vegotation; but, with every reservation 
for the imperfect observation and the early season, I am not satisfied that the 
flora of Kennedy Channel indicates a milder climate to the north of our winter 
harbor. I subjoin my scanty list: — 
Ranuncnlus nivalis.In quantities about the mossy slopes of Lafayctto Bay. 
Papavcr nudieaule.Well advanced and recognisablo. 
Hesperia pallasii.....Found in Lafayctto Bay; tho siliquo recognised by Mr. 
Durand. 
Draba.Two forms, (ono probably alpina,) associated with re¬ 
cognisable lychnis and ccrastium. 
Saxifraga oppositifolia.Beginning to show itself. 
u flagcllaris..This latter in dried state. 
Oxyria digynus.Iu quantities adequate for food. 
Salix uva ursi.j g een an( j Adding along tho channel. 
If we add to these three grasses, poa, alopecurus, and festuca, with tho usual 
Arctic cryptogams, wo have, except in tho anomalous case of Ilesperis, no 
plants not common to Lower Smith’s Straits and Green’s Channel. 
Note 51, p. 308. 
These remarks will bo expanded elsewhere. The presence of marine shells 
(Saxicava and Astarte) on tho upper tcrracc-levcla about Dallas Bay, and simi¬ 
lar facts noticed by Sir Edward Belcher and the Barrow’s Straits observers, 
leave little room to doubt the conclusion. But I do not cite tho elevation of the 
coast, either as deduced from the Esquimaux habitations or otherwise, except 
as it illustrates changes in the relations which tho water and ice once bore to 
each other. I do not connect it with tho question of an open sea. 
Note 52, p. 309. 
This sledge-runner was of wood and bone together, with holes perforated for 
the seal-skin lashings used by the natives to scarf their work. It affords un¬ 
mistakable evidence cither of a current-drift and occasional open water from 
the sound, or of the former presence of natives to the north,—this latter imply¬ 
ing competent hunting-resources. 
