THE GEOLOGIC SURVEY OF CANADA 49 



an exploratory survey up the Sushitna Eiver and discovered a low pass 

 into the Yukon basin. The Alaskan Range, which lies west of Cook- 

 Inlet, was traversed by another party, which found a broad pass into- 

 the Kuskokwim, which it descended, and, making a broad circuit,- 

 reached the Pacific coast again after traversing the Alaskan Peninsula.- 

 Two parties crossed to White Pass, then being used by thousands of 

 gold seekers, and descended the Lewes and Yukon rivers in canoes. 

 One of these ascended the White River, portaged to the Tanana, and 

 continued down that stream to the Yukon. The other surveyed an 

 area of about 2,000 square miles adjacent to the International Boundary 

 and lying close to the Klondike gold fields. 



The personnel of the four expeditions last mentioned included a 

 geologist and a topographer, the senior of the two being in command. 

 These officers were selected from the staff of the survey, among those 

 who had had from five to twenty years of training and who were be- 

 lieved to have special aptness for exploratory work. From four to six 

 canoeists, cooks, etc., completed each party, and these were picked 

 among those who had rendered faithful services to the Geological 

 Survey in other fields. It was important that they should be such 

 men as could be relied upon in emergency, and particularly such as 

 would not desert the party during a gold excitement. 



As most of the surveys were to be along rivers, canoes were de- 

 termined upon as means of transportation, and careful consideration 

 led to the choice of those of the voyageur type, built in Canada. 

 These boats, which were propelled with paddles and poles, combined the 

 quality of staunchness with lightness and durability. A canoe from 

 eighteen to nineteen feet long, weighing about one hundred and twenty- 

 five pounds, was provided for every two men. It would carry a load of 

 half a ton, and could be transported across a portage by its crew. The 

 camp equipment, of the simplest character, included a sleeping bag 

 for each man, a small mosquito-proof tent for every two men, a light 

 cooking outfit, axes and a few tools. Xot the least important part of 

 the equipment was the repairing outfit, including some strips of cedar 

 which were carried in each canoe, for the boats were so light that it 

 was impossible to escape occasional injuries when running rapids. 

 A light carbine with a hundred rounds of ammunition was carried in 

 each canoe. The topographer was provided with a light theodolite and 

 plane-table, while the geologist carried only a few hand instruments 

 and cameras. Each member of the party was obliged to limit his per- 

 sonal baggage to the barest necessities ; but was provided with mosquito- 

 proof head-dress and gloves. The equipment of six men, aside from 

 eatables, on a journey of four to five months, did not exceed 400 pounds 

 in weight. 



For the first season's work the provisions were limited to a very 



VOL. LXVIII. — 4. 



