G 6 ProvinctaL Museum Report. 1914 




Dr. C. F. Newcombe has continued his work of collecting anthropological material and 
data relating to the Coast tribes, and has secured a large | number of rare and valuable 
specimens, one of which is a large board sail, which I believe i is the first that has been secured 
by any museum. Dr. New combe’s report is annexed hereto. 
Mr. J. A. Teit, of Spences Bridge, has also continued the work of collecting anthropological 
material from the Interior tribes, and has been very successful in securing a great deal of 
wearing-apparel, baskets, etc. 
Dr. Newcombe having been employed by the Fisheries Department to carry on investiga- 
tions regarding the life-histor y of sea-lions, the Director left Victoria on June 17th for Namu, 
to accompany him to the rookeries in the Sea Otter Group, south-west of Cape Calvert. On 
arriving at Namu on the 20th, the launch ‘“‘Chaos” was chartered and left the same evening 
for Cape Calvert. On the way down Fitzhugh Sound, about 9.30 p.m., when nearing Safety 
Cove, the “ Karluk” on her way north, with ‘the Steffanson Arctic Expedition on board, was 
passed. Early next morning a start was made round Sorrow Island and Cape Calvert, out to 
sea in a south-w esterly direction to Devil and Pearl Rocks, which are about seven miles off 
shore. On approaching Devil Rock only a few sea-lions were found, probably about 200, but 
at the next point visited, Pearl Rocks, which is the main rookery, the number estimated was 
1,500 males and females and about 500 pups. In an endeavour to secure specimens several 
shots were fired, but when hit the animals would roll off the rocks into the sea and sink almost 
immediately. One large male, however, was secured before it sank, and was towed back to 
Grief Bay, a distance GE seven miles, where it was hauled up as the tide came in, to be skinned 
and prepared for transportation. This mammal measured 11 feet 6 inches in length and 8 
feet 6 inches around the neck, and weighed about 2,500 tb. Several good photographs were 
secured, showing the rocks meapied by these lsre6 sea-mammals. Early the next morning 
Pearl Rocks were revisited, and subsequently W atch Rock, where approximately 500 males 
and females, including pups, were observed. Bird Rock, which is nearer the shore-line of 
Calvert Island, was also visited. This is a small island, chiefly rock, where a number of 
glacous-wing gulls and cormorants nest, and should be set aside as a bird sanctuary ; the birds 
on this island are not found in any such numbers as on Bare Island, near Victoria. 
On August 30th the Director and his assistant left Victoria for Atlin on a general 
zoological collecting trip. Although in the Atlin country only during the month of September, 
a considerable number of specimens were collected, sev eral of which were not previously own 
to be in the Province. When it becomes possible to again visit this district and do a full 
season’s field-work, there can be no doubt that a number of eastern and northern species will 
be found within the limits of British Columbia. 
In a Province possessing such an enormous coast-line, the study of marine biology is of 
very great importance, but so far our efforts in this direction have been handicapped “by the 
lack of suitable means for carrying out the work. Systematic dredging along the coast must 
be undertaken by means of a suitable vessel. It is generally to be hoped that in the near 
future it will be found possible to obtain a launch for the use of the Department, in order that 
this important branch of our institution may not be neglected. A suitable boat would be of 
very great assistance also in obtaining data relating to the migration of sea-birds and the 
nesting habits, and would afford an opportunity of v isiting contin little-known islands which 
contain material of the greatest value and interest to the Provincial Museum. 
Amnexed will be found a complete list of all new specimens secured during the year. 
T have the honour to be, 
Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
FRANCIS KERMODE, 
Director. 
