LAMONT, JAMES: “Seasons with the Sea-Horses; or, Sporting Adventures in the Northern Seas.” MILTON, VISCOUNT: “North-west Passage by Land.” WHYMPER, FREDERICK: “Alaska, and British America.” WOOD, REV. J. G.: “Natural History;” and “Homes without Hands.” I trust that I have throughout wrought in the spirit of the author; and that my labors will enhance the value of his admirable book. A. H. G. CONTENTS. Page 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. 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 invaluable Qualities as an Arctic domestic Animal.-- Revolts against Oppression.--Enemies of the Reindeer.--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 Burrows.--The Lemmings.--Their Migrations and Enemies.-- Arctic Anatidæ.--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. 45 CHAPTER IV. ARCTIC MARINE ANIMALS.