P 8 British Columbia. 1920 



These figures are by no means accurate, as a great many people do not seem to like 

 the idea of recording their names, and no record has been kept of the number of classes 

 from the public schools of the city who, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Museum in 

 connection with their nature-study. There have also been a number of specialists in several 

 branches of natural sciences from some of the large museums of the continent who wished to 

 examine the study series, which are stored in the annex, for which permission was gladly given 

 by the Director. 



It will be noticed, by referring to the first register that was kept by the Museum, in 1888, 

 that only 500 people left their signatures. The number of visitors increased year by year until 

 the year 1914, when, on the outbreak of the European war, the tourist travel to the West at 

 that time received a considerable set-back. For about two years this seemed to affect the travel, 

 but from then on, I am pleased to say, the visitors again began to increase not only throughout 

 the summer seasons, but also a great many came from Alberta and Saskatchewan during our 

 winter seasons on account of our milder climate. 



ACTIVITIES. 



As will be seen by the 'report in the several branches of natural history, no actual field 

 parties were sent afield during the last summer, but this does not mean that the activities of 

 the Museum were dormant, as considerable work has always to be done in connection with the 

 Museum, in classification and identification of specimens from time to time, to make them more 

 accessible to inspection and for study. 



This work is carried on by a very small staff, all scientific work involving upon the Director 

 and the Assistant Biologist, who are assisted by a few personal friends. The invaluable assis- 

 tance afforded the institution by members of the large institutions of America, more particularly 

 the staff of the Smithsonian Institution and the Biological Survey of the United States National 

 Museum of Washington, D.C. (to whom a large number of specimens are sent for their specialists 

 to identify and verify), cannot be too highly appreciated. 



The specific identification of many of our small mammals is a difficult problem, owing to the 

 lack of any large series from many localities, and not having the necessary appliances for the 

 examination of cranial'and dental characters, upon which determinations are greatly based. 



In many instances it is also necessary to make comparison with type specimens, most of 

 which are to be found in the largest institutions of America and Europe, and for this reason 

 we have to rely greatly on the generosity and kindness of several well-known scientists. 



ANTHROPOLOGY. 



Very little material has been added to the anthropological collection this year, with the 

 exception of several small specimens. 



Mr. G. E.' Darby, Medical Superintendent of the Bella Bella Hospital, donated to the 

 Museum a piece of rope made of cedar-bark, which he states was found by an Indian, Moses 

 Knight, who found a considerable quantity of it concealed in a cave on a small island near 

 Bella Bella. 



Miss Dorothy Matthews presented an Indian skull which she had found at Patricia Bay, 

 North Saanich, in July, 1917. This skull is typical of the Indians of the Saanich Tribe of the 

 Coast-Salaish Indians. 



Mr. J. P. Babcock, the Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, presented an Indian blanket made 

 from the feet of the grey timber-wolves. This blanket was made by the Babine Indians at Babine 

 Lake, B.C., which tribe of Indians belongs to Athapascan or Dene stock. 



MAMMALS. 



The Museum has received, through the efforts of Mr. II. W. Dodd, Government Agent at 



Telegraph Creek, a magnificent pair of locked caribou antlers in a perfect state of preservation. 

 These antlers were found on Cariboo Mountain, West Casslar, by Mr. W. Beach, of New York 

 City, a big-game hunter, who was hunting at the headwaters of the Stikine in 1918. The battle 

 which caused the death of these animals took place, no doubt, in the month of September, 1!H7. 

 as traces of the velvet still remain on the antlers. The dimensions of the antlers are: — No. 1: 

 Length of beam, 52 inches: spread, II'- inches: points, 12!> inches. No. •_! : Length of beam. 



