26o 



The Ottawa Naturalist. 



[February 



Dr. Dawson has called my attention to the following passage 

 in Mackenzie's " Notes on Certain Implements and Weapons of 

 Graham Island. (Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada. Sec. II, 1891, p. 50. 



'■'^ Reindeer antler- Tomahawk (Haida, Scoot s-hlth-at- low.) [No. 

 1-^02] — This very ancient and interesting relic is made from one of 

 a species of Reindeer which inhabits the mountainous interior of 

 Graham Island. In ancient times these Reindeer were hunted by 

 the Haida and killed by bow and ai row, being highly prized both 

 for meat and skin. [See Marchand's Voyage, Chapf V, 1791] 

 This weapon was the property of the Masset doctor, or medicine 

 man, who is still alive but aged. To him it was bequeathed by 



his predecessor who died many years ago It is undoubtedly 



a relic of the times before these natives had intercourse with white 

 men." 



Through the courtesy of Mr. John Fannin I have had the op- 

 portunity of making a thorough examination of the skull in ques- 

 tion and am convinced that the animal is entitled to formal recog- 

 nition. I propose therefore to name it in honour of Dr. G. M. 

 Dawson of the Canadian Geological Survey, the eminent explorer 

 of the Queen Charlotte Islands, who first called the attention of 

 the scientific world to the existence of the animal. 



RANGIFER DAWSONI, Sp. nov. 



Sp. character. — Its small size, about that of Rangifer arcticus, 

 and its color, which is darker than that o{ arcticus, but much lighter 

 than that of montaniis from the interior of British Columbia. 



Habitat. — Queen Charlotte Islands. The type being from the 

 interior of Graham, which is the northmost large island of the 

 group. 



The nearest point on the mainland where Caribou are found 

 is 150 miles away in the interior of British Columbia. 



This individual was peculiar in having but one horn, but this 

 is merely an accident and is probably the reason that the specimen 

 was brought in by the hunters. 



The following measurements will be of use in conjunction 

 with the figures : 



In figure i, the length of the antler from below the burr fol- 

 lowing the outer curve to the top of the highest point, 28^ inches 



