80 



NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA. 



[NO. 27. 



by him as very uniform in character, being gently rolling and mainly 

 well wooded with poplar. Small lakes and muskegs occur frequently, 

 making travel difficult. About 20 miles east of the ' Crossing ' of 

 McLeod River coniferous trees are first met with, and from here be- 

 come more common as the mountains are approached. Jasper House 

 (abandoned) is situated in Jasper Valley, which is surrounded by 

 high, rugged mountains. Some collecting was done in this vicinity, 

 and he then proceeded to the site of Henry House, and from there 

 made a trip into the high mountains about 25 miles to the westward, 

 but was prevented by the lateness of the season from doing much 

 detailed work. He therefore retraced his course to Edmonton, where 

 he arrived early in November. 



In the summer of 1896 Loring made another trip to the same 

 legion, this time starting earlier in the season and making more ex- 

 tended explorations. Leaving Edmonton on May 25, he proceeded to 

 J asper House by the same route followed the previous ear. He then 

 visited the high mountains about 15 miles south of Henry House, 

 where lie collected July 3 to 21, securing many interesting specimens 

 and notes. After a delay of about a month, caused by a serious acci- 

 dent, he made a trip northward to Smoky River. Following the east 

 bank of Stony River, a small stream coming from the northv\^ard and 

 entering the Athabaska near Jasper House, he crossed the mountains 

 to Smoky Valley, 50 miles north of Jasper House. The trail was 

 but little used and was so filled Avith fallen timber, the result of for- 

 est fires, that often it was inexpedient to follow it. Smoky Valley 

 is long and narrow, mainly grown up to willows, and is evidently 

 situated near the headwaters of Little Smoky River. After leaving 

 this valley he crossed a low divide and descended one of the tribu- 

 taries of Grand Cache, or Simonette River, which flows northward 

 into Smoky River. Sulphur Prairie, an open portion of the valley, 

 is about 70 miles north of Jasper House. After following the valley 

 for a short distance north of this point the party turned to the east- 

 ward and then northward past Fishing Lake, a body of water evi- 

 dently east of and tributary to Grand Cache River, and a day or two 

 later again entered the valley of the Simonette at Grand Cache 

 Valley, about 120 miles north of Jasper House. LTp to the time Fish- 

 ing Lake was reached the course had been mainly through high 

 rugged mountains clothed mainly with poplars and pines, and hav- 

 ing a distinct timBer line. The valleys were often so occupied by 

 muskegs that the mountain sides were preferable for traveling, but 

 there also progress was very slow. Beyond the region of Fishing 

 Lake the high mountains give place to foothills and rolling country. 

 Grand Cache Valley is comparatively open and contains many lakes, 

 some of which are of considerable extent. The principal trees are 

 poplars, and the luxuriant grass and tempered climate make the 



