v i PREFACE 



prospector as guide at "gold prices" and set off on foot to 

 ascend a spur of the Rocky Mountains, seven miles from the 

 village, where mountain goats were said to be found. There 

 was no trail for pack horses, so we packed our outfit on our 

 backs. After two days of hard climbing, a part of the way 

 through an almost impenetrable jungle, we reached the timber 

 line and encamped on the sharp crest of a long ridge which 

 was covered in places with banks of perpetual snow. From 

 our camp seven glaciers were visible on neighboring peaks. 

 The mountains bounded the horizon on every side. The broad 

 valley of the Columbia between us and the Selkirks was some- 

 times obscured by clouds that frequently rose and enveloped 

 us in mist, rain, or snow. The grandeur and magnificence of 

 the situation hardly compensated for the discomforts of a 

 shelterless camp. 



We remained there until our provision was exhausted. We 

 secured, during that fortnight, specimens of the mountain goat t 

 Haploceros montanus, woodchuck, porcupine, Erethizon dorsatus, 

 etc. Woodchucks were very abundant above the timber line. 

 On one occasion I saw fifteen in a single group. The timid 

 squeak of the little chief hare was often heard, but, owing to 

 its wariness only one specimen was obtained. 



We reached Winnipeg August 15th, whence Professor Smith 

 returned to Iowa, and where I spent several days awaiting the 

 arrival of my collecting outfit from Iowa City. 



I am indebted to many friends for assistance. I wish espe- 

 cially to render grateful acknowledgment of the kindness- 

 shown me by President Chas. A. Schaeffer, and Professor C. 

 C. Nutting, without whose substantial aid and encouraging 

 letters the expedition must have been a failure. I must thank 

 the many students and members of the faculty who contributed 

 toward the fund which was so greatly needed for the purchase 

 of additional supplies for the second year; and the citizens of 

 Iowa City and members of the University for the warm recep- 



