Section II, 1891. [ 45 ] Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada. 



II. — Descriptive Notes on Certain Implements, Weapons, etc., from Graham Island, 



Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. 



By Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, 

 With an introductory note by Dr. Gr. M. Dawson. 



(Read May 27, 1S91.) 



Some years ago a small collection of implements, weapons, etc., from the Queen 

 Charlotte Islands was obtained for the museum of the G-eological Survey from Mr. Mac- 

 kenzie. Most of the objects iu this collection are either specially fine examples of the arts 

 of the Haida, or antiques, the value of which is enhanced by some knowledge of their 

 history. The collection had been formed by Mr. Mackenzie under peculiarly advantageous 

 circumstances during his residence at Masset, and was accompanied by a manuscript re- 

 ferring particularly to the various articles, but which includes besides some miscellaneous 

 notes of interest respecting the Haida, their manners, customs and ideas. Mr. Mackenzie 

 states that his notes are the result of original enquiries, and that he has purposely 

 refrained from quoting information from sources already published. His knowledge 

 of the Haida people, together with his habit of close observation, render his notes of 

 special value. 



It thus appears to be desirable not only to illustrate a few of the more interesting of 

 the objects in this collection, but also to make this the occasion of publishing the notes 

 referred to, in order that these may be rendered accessible to those interested in the eth- 

 nology of the "West Coast. By permission of the Director of the Gl-eological Survey, such 

 of the objects as have been chosen for illustration have been drawn for this purpose by 

 Mr. L. M. Lambe, In selecting these objects the writer has endeavoured to choose those 

 which seem to be the most noteworthy, and particularly to exclude such as resemble 

 those which have already appeared in his report on the Queen Charlotte Islands, con- 

 tained in the Keport of Progress of the Greological Survey for 1878-79. The first detailed 

 account of the Haida people was given by the writer in the place just referred to, the 

 material for it having been obtained in the course of a summer spent in exploring the 

 Queen Charlotte Islands for the G-eological Survey. Much additional information has, 

 however, since appeared in various publications. Reference may be made particularly in 

 this connection to an elaborate and copiously illustrated memoir by Mr. A. P. Niblack, 

 entitled " The Coast Indians of Southern Alaska and Northern British Columbia," lately 

 published in the annual report of the Smithsonian Institution. 



It would appear that the pre-eminent position of the Haida among the various tribes 

 of the West Coast has not yet been sufficiently recognized or appreciated by ethnologists. 

 Twenty years ago little was known about them ; the Queen Charlotte Islands were but 

 rudely sketched on the charts, and the reports current as to the treacherous and warlike 



