G 6 Provincial Museum Report. 1914 



Dr. C. F. Newcombe has continued his work of collecting anthropological material and 

 data relating to the Coast tribes, and has secured a large number of rare and valuable 

 specimens, one of which is a large board sail, which I believe is the first that has been secured 

 by any museum. Dr. Newcombe's report is annexed hereto. 



Mr. J. A. Teit, of Spences Bridge, has also continued the work of collecting anthropological 

 material from the Interior tribes, and has been very successful in securing a great deal of 

 wearing-apparel, baskets, etc. 



Dr. Newcombe having been employed by the Fisheries Department to carry on investiga- 

 tions regarding the life-history of sea-lions, the Director left Victoria on June 17th for Nairn;, 

 to accompany him to the rookeries in the Sea Otter Group, south-west of Cape Calvert. On 

 arriving at Namu on the 20th, the launch " Chaos " was chartered and left the same evening 

 for Cape Calvert. On the way down Fitzhugh Sound, about 9.30 p.m., when nearing Safety 

 Cove, the " Karluk " on her way north, with the Steft'anson Arctic Expedition on board, was 

 passed. Early next morning a start was made round Sorrow Island and Cape Calvert, out to 

 sea in a south-westerly direction to Devil and Pearl Rocks, which are about seven miles off- 

 shore. On approaching Devil Rock only a few sea-lions were found, probably about 200, but 

 at the next point visited. Pearl Rocks, which is the main rookery, the number estimated was 

 1,500 males and females and about 500 pups. In an endeavour to secure specimens several 

 shots were fired, but when hit the animals would roll off the rocks into the sea and sink almost 

 immediately. One. large male, however, was secured before it sank, and was towed back to 

 Grief Bay, a distance of seven miles, where it was hauled up as the tide came in, to be skinned 

 and prepared for transportation. This mammal measured 11 feet 6 inches in length and f> 

 feet 6 inches around the neck, and weighed about 2,500 lb. Several good photographs were 

 secured, showing the rocks inhabited by these large sea-mammals. Early the next morning 

 Pearl Rocks were revisited, and subsequently Watch Rock, where approximately 500 males 

 and females, including pups, were observed. Bird Rock, which is nearer the shore-line of 

 Calvert Island, was also visited. This is a small island, chiefly rock, where a number of 

 glacous-wing gulls and cormorants nest, and should be set aside as a bird sanctuary ; the birds 

 on this island are not found in any such numbers as on Bare Island, near Victoria. 



On August 30th the Director and his assistant left Victoria for Atlin on a general 

 zoological collecting trip. Although in the Atlin country only during the month of September, 

 a considerable number of specimens were collected, several of which were not previously known 

 to be in the Province. When it becomes possible to again visit this district and do a full 

 season's field-work, there can be no doubt that a number of eastern and northern species will 

 be found within the limits of British Columbia. 



In a Province possessing such an enormous coast-line, the study of marine biology is of 

 very great importance, but so far our efforts in this direction have been handicapped by the 

 lack of suitable means for carrying out the work. Systematic dredging along the coast must 

 be undertaken by means of a suitable vessel. It is generally to be hoped that in the near 

 future it will be found possible to obtain a launch for the use of the Department, in order that 

 this important branch of our institution may not be neglected. A suitable boat would be of 

 very great assistance also in obtaining data relating to the migration of sea-birds and the 

 nesting habits, and Mould afford an opportunity of visiting certain little-known islands which 

 contain material of the greatest value and interest to the Provincial Museum. 



Annexed will be found a complete list of all new specimens secured during the year. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your obedient servant, 



FRANCIS KERMODE, 



Director. 



