10 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 10 



grassy meadows, though attractive to the eye, were deceptive, 

 for the rank grass was more than waist high, and concealed 

 innumerable logs, stumps and pitfalls, while narrow winding 

 gullies intersected the flats in all directions. There was a cluster 

 of Indian houses here, unoccupied during the summer months, 

 and around a spring nearby were dense thickets of elder, salmon- 

 berry and other brush. 



There is said to have been formerly a trail from the head of 

 the Tahsis Canal across the island to Alert Bay, on the east side, 

 but we were unable to find any trace of it, though the trapper 

 with whom we were camping had blazed a trail over a portion 

 of the ground it was supposed to traverse. 



The steamer on which we departed having occasion to ascend 

 the Muchalat Arm about twelve miles, gave me an opportunity 

 of seeing this branch of the sound, which, like the Tahsis, has 

 abrupt, rocky sides, with rough, timber-covered hills surrounding. 



We arrived at Friendly Cove on the evening of July 23, and 

 on the following day traveled up the Tahsis Canal, where we 

 remained until August 2. August 3 to 11 were spent at Friendly 

 Cove. While here we were the recipients of many courtesies 

 from Mr. IT. L. W. Smith, the storekeeper. When we shifted 

 camp from the Tahsis Canal he came in his canoe from Friendly 

 Cove, twenty-five miles, to assist in the moving; he provided us 

 with a cabin in which to stay at the latter point, and gave us 

 all the information and assistance possible. In short, he did 

 everything in his power to render our stay pleasant and profit- 

 able, and I gladly take this opportunity of expressing my 

 appreciation of his acts. 



GREAT CENTRAL LAKE 



A narrow sheet of water, twenty-four miles in length, the 

 lower end of which lies twelve miles northwest of Alberni. 

 The lake is surrounded by hills and mountains, and though 

 there are occasional stretches of rocky beach, the shores are 

 precipitous for the most part, the only level ground being at the 

 two ends. At the upper end, where we camped, several large 

 streams empty, and at their mouths are limited areas of grassy 

 flats, but so grown up with willows and underbrush as to be 



