A484 OFFICIAL JOURNEYS. 
fronds and holdfast. The party then visited a wood where Mr. Pemberton pointed 
out examples of tree stumps (Abies grandis) in which the cut surface had been 
completely healed over by the formation of a cushion-like mass of tissue. He claimed 
that this process may be made possible by means of natural grafting of the roots of 
adjacent trees. Passing through woods consisting of the native oak, Quercus Garryana, 
a dry grassy upland region was reached, where much rock was exposed. From the 
rock crevices were obtained Selaginella rupestris. Mr. Pemberton called attention 
to the abnormal growth of certain oak-trees, whose trunks had formed flattened and 
buttress-like expansions when in close contact with rock surfaces. 
Other members of the party, on arrival, had visited the Museum, and were shown 
round it. by the Curator, Mr. Francis Kermode, and by Dr. C. F. Newcombe, the 
veteran ethnologist. The Museum was again opened in the evening up to a late 
hour, and advantage was taken of this courtesy. Though of small size, the Museum 
is most interesting, and contains valuable collections, chiefly ethnological and 
zoological. The ethnological series illustrates the old native life not only of the Indians 
of Vancouver Island, but also of the neighbouring coastal peoples of British Columbia. 
Many of the specimens were collected before the culture of the natives had undergone 
extensive modification through contact with Europeans, and several unique examples 
areincluded. Industries, arts, and native cults are well illustrated, and the archeology 
is represented by a fine series of stone implements, some of which were already obsolete 
many generations ago. Dr. Newcombe explained the specimens very fully. A 
handbook to the ethnological collection has been published, with illustrations of the 
more important exhibits. Zoologically, interest centred chiefly upon two exhibits. 
A peculiar variety of bear (Ursus Kermodei), white but not albinistic, and restricted, 
apparently, to one island off the British Columbia coast, is represented by three or 
four specimens in the Museum (a live example is exhibited in the public park). It 
appears to be allied to the black bear and not to the polar bear. Traces of brownish 
tints appear amidst. the general white coloration. This bear has been given specific 
rank and has been named after the describer, Mr. Kermode. Another exhibit of 
great zoological importance consists of bones and cartilages of the only partially 
atrophied hind limb of a Humpback Whale (Megapiera). As far as is known, this 
is the only instance on record of a whale possessing the remains of external hind 
limbs. These limbs are said to have projected four feet beyond the whale’s sides. 
Unfortunately the whale had been partly flensed before the peculiar atavistic abnor- 
mality was noticed, and it was only possible to preserve the limb bones of one side. 
On the following morning a small party was taken by Dr. Newcombe to visit the 
remains of some old Indian burial cairns near Victoria, and also some Indian village 
sites near Esquimalt, which are chiefly indicated by the remains of defensive trenches 
and extensive shell-heaps or kitchen-middens. 
The party was invited by Mr. Badcock to visit his fine and valuable private collec- 
tion of native basketry. The various local basketry techniques are admirably repre- 
sented and the collection is remarkably complete and instructive. 
Physicists and other members not otherwise occupied in the evening visited the 
Astrophysical Observatory, under the guidance of Dr. Plaskett, and were given an 
opportunity to look through the great reflecting telescope. 
A proportion of the members returned to Vancouver by the night boat. 
Nanaimo.—A zoological party visited the Marine Biological Station at Nanaimo, 
Vancouver Island. This station has been a famous collecting ground for many years, 
largely through the interest of the Rev. Mr. Taylor. In 1909 the actual station was 
founded as one of those under the direction of the Biological Board of Canada. At 
present there are several buildings, and, although the accommodation is not large, there 
are excellent facilities for obtaining material and for research. The library is small and 
is deserving of all the help which can be granted it in the way of gifts of literature. 
The great assets of Nanaimo are the wonderful fauna and the remarkably fine situation 
of the station—fine not only from the point of view of obtaining material but also from 
the scenic and health aspects. The success of the excursion was largely due to the 
combined work and hospitality of Prof. Clemens (the Director) and Mrs. Clemens, 
Prof. 0’ Donoghue (Winnipeg) and Mrs. O’ Donoghue, and Dr. Collip, to whom the party 
was greatly indebted. On the afternoon of its arrival all the party went out 
tow-netting. The following morning was devoted to dredging and shore collecting. 
As the sea was calm the work was very successful. 
Tuesday, August 26.—A number of the members visited Victoria on 
this day only, arriving in the morning and leaving at 2.15 p.m., but they 
