stefansson-wrangel-09-05-001-001

Maurer

February 23rd, 1921.

Dear Mr. Maurer:

During your stay on Wrangel Island did you ever go any
considerable distance inland? Please write me as fully as you
can about the vegetation of Wrangel Island, both from your own
observations and, from anything you may have heard from the other
men who had been inland.

Did you see lichens, mosses or grasses? Were flowers
common? On what parts of the island did you find the most drift-
wood and what kind of wood was it? Around Herschel Island the
driftwood is chiefly spruce with a little pine and cottonwood.
On Wrangel Island I have supposed that you might have found drift-
wood from the Pacific which would presumably be in part composed
of logs of larger variety than those you see around Herschel
Island.

I have noted what you said in one of your stories
about killing a considerable number of foxes towards the end
of your stay. Did it strike you that Wrangel Island is a good
location for fox trapping or walrus hunting?

I hope you will be able to reply soon, as I am
anxious to get these facts before my book goes to press.

Mr. Frederick W. Maurer,

New Philadelphia, Ohio.