Geo. 5 Provincial Museum Report. F 7 



REPORT OF E. M. ANDERSON ON ATLIN EXPEDITION, 1914. 



Accompanied by an assistant, Mr. C. B. Garrett, we left Victoria on May 29th, via 

 Skagwav, Alaska, arriving at Atlin on June 5th. The following day we outfitted, and after 

 a short journey bv wagon of about twenty miles, constructed our camp near Wilson Creek at 

 an altitude of 3,000 feet, and situated close to a small lake. Systematic field-work was carried 

 on in various sections of the count rv until August 19th. During the trip we established five 

 camps — viz., at Wilson Creek, Ilot Springs, Pike River, Anderson Bay, and Atlin. We 

 collected diligentlv from two to three weeks in each respective locality, careful research being 

 made from the level of Atlin Lake to the summit of the snow-capped mountains. Many 

 interesting specimens and valuable data were gathered, while a number of birds, mammals, 

 and insects proved entirely new records for the Province. 



The following is a total summary of material collected : Birds, 422 ; oological specimens, 

 94; mammals, 153; botanical specimens, 936; entomological, 2,104; fishes, 12 ; batrachians 

 frogs ,. 25. 



Before concluding, I beg to tender my thanks to Mr. J. A. Fraser, Government Agent at 

 Atlin, for his kindness in placing the gasolene-launch " Tagish " at my disposal, whereby we 

 were enabled without difficulty to move camp outfit, etc., and explore numerous points and 

 small islands on Atlin Lake. I may also add that the boat greatly facilitated our work, as it 

 was the means whereby we collected some material that otherwise would have escaped our 

 observation, particularly those species of birds which prefer to inhabit the small remote islands 

 during the nesting season. I also wish to thank Messrs. Sydney Smith, D. Holland, T. 

 Marshall, B. Wallace, and Captain McDonald for their valuable assistance, and also a number 

 of residents of Atlin for their information regarding the district and certain species of birds 

 and mammals of northern British Columbia. 



Remarks. 



Before reporting on the material collected and observed in the Atlin District, I shall 

 endeavour to outline in general, relative to the conditions, etc., with special mention of the 

 main stations at which we collected. 



Atlix. 



Atlin, the name derived from a "Tahltan" Indian word, meaning "Big Water" (Atlin 

 Lake, so well named), is the chief mining centre in northern British Columbia. The townsite 

 is situated on the east shores of the lake which bears its name. Unfortunately, shortly before 

 our arrival in June, the town was completely devastated by fire, save for the Government 

 Buildings, Royal Hotel, and a few dwellings, including a mill at the southern end of the town. 

 Rebuilding on the burnt area showed great activity, for during our stay in August several 

 substantial frame buildings were nearing completion, including an adequate hotel which will 

 serve to accommodate many residents, and also furnish a resting-place for the tourist travel 

 during the summer season. From reports gathered from private sources, mining on the creeks 

 was carried on to good advantage. In many instances more gold was procured than in many 

 previous years : this fact is attributed to the extensive placer-mining, where hydraulic pressure 

 is operated on several of the creeks in the surrounding mining district. Considerable assess- 

 ment and development work is also under way on many of the high-grade ores ; for example, 

 the famous Engineer mine and the Kirkland group on Taku Arm. 



Speaking of the weather conditions, we found them most favourable. The beautiful, 

 long, non-oppressive days, with practically no darkness, and occasional showers, all tended to 

 harmonize with the beautiful surroundings. 



Fanning is conducted on a small scale close to Atlin. Although plenty of land is 

 available, very little is at present under cultivation. From observations, vegetables seem to 

 thrive the best. During the last week of July we visited a small crop of standing grain ; this 

 also adds to the possibilities in regard to agriculture in the north. Little or no collecting was 

 done at Atlin until our return from Pike River on August the 9th, where we remained for 

 ten days. Here we dried and packed our collection for shipment, also collecting daily in the 

 outskirts of the town and adding many interesting specimens not encountered with in the 

 other sections visited. 



