5 GEO. 5 Provinctan Museum Reporr. F 7 



REPORT OF E. M. ANDERSON ON ATLIN EXPEDITION, 1914. 
Accompanied by an assistant, Mr. C. B. Garrett, we left Victoria on May 29th, via 
Skagway, Alaska, arriving at Atlin on June 5th. The following day we outfitted, and after 
a short journey by wagon of about twenty miles, constructed our camp near Wilson Creek at 
an altitude of 3,000 feet, and situated close toa small lake. Systematic field-work was carried 
on in various sections of the country until August 19th. During the trip we established five 
camps—viz., at Wilson Creek, Hot Springs, Pike River, Anderson Bay, and Atlin. We 
collected diligently from two to three weeks in each respective locality, careful research being 
made from the level of Atlin Lake to the summit of the snow-capped mountains. Many 
interesting specimens and valuable data were gathered, while a number of birds, mammals, 
and insects proved entirely new records for the Province. 
The following is a total summary of material collected: Birds, 422 ; ol specimens, 
94; mammals, 153; botanical specimens, 936 ; entomological, 2104; fishes, ; batrachians 
(frogs), 25. 
Before concluding, I beg to tender my thanks to Mr. J. A. Fraser, Government Agent at 
Atlin, for his kindness in placing the gasolene-launch “Tagish” at my disposal, whereby we 
were enabled without difficulty to move camp outfit, etc., and explore numerous points and 
small islands on Atlin Lake. I may also add that the boat greatly facilitated our work, as it 
was the means whereby we collected some material that otherwise would have escaped our 
observation, particularly those species of birds which preter to inhabit the small remote islands 
during the nesting season. I also wish to thank Messrs. Sydney Smith, D. Holland, T. 
Marshall, R. Wallace, and Captain McDonald for their valuable assistance, and also a nurnber 
of residents of Atlin for their information regarding the district and certain species of birds 
and mammals of northern British Columbia. 
REMARKS. 
Before reporting on the material collected and observed in the Atlin District, I shall 
endeavour to outline in general, relative to the conditions, etc., with special mention of the 
main stations at which we collected. 
ATLIN. 
Atlin, the name derived from a “Tahltan” Indian word, meaning “Big Water” (Atlin 
Lake, so well named), is the chief mining centre in northern British Columbia. The townsite 
is situated on the east shores of the lake which bears its name. Unfortunately, shortly before 
our arrival in June, the town was completely devastated by fire, save for the Government 
Buildings, Royal Hotel, and a few dwellings, including a mill at the southern end of the town. 
Rebuilding on the paeat area showed great activity, for during our stay in August several 
substantial frame buildings were nearing completion, including an adequate hotel which will 
serve to accommodate many residents, and also furnish a resting-place for the tourist travel 
during the summer season. From reports gathered from private sources, mining on the creeks 
was carried on to good advantage. In many instances more gold was procured than in many 
previous years ; this fact is attributed to the extensive placer-mining, where hydraulic pressure 
is operated on several of the creeks in the surrounding mining district. Considerable assess- 
ment and development work is also under way on many of the high-grade ores ; for example, 
the famous Engineer mine and the Kirkland group on Taku Arm. 
Speaking of the weather conditions, we found them most favourable. The beautiful, 
long, non-oppressive days, with practically no darkness, and occasional showers, all tended to 
harmonize with the beautiful surroundings. 
Farming is conducted on a small seale close to Atlin. Although plenty of land is 
available, very little is at present under cultivation. From observations, vegetables seem to 
thrive the best. During the last week of July we visited a small crop of standing grain ; this 
also adds to the possibilities i in regard to agriculture in the north. Little or no collecting was 
done at Atlin until our return from Pike, River on August the 9th, where we remained for 
ten days. Here we dried and packed our collection for “shipment, also collecting daily in the 
pabekinte of the town and adding many interesting specimens not encountered with in the 
other sections visited. 
