1908.] 



PREVIOUS EXPLORATIONS HANBURY. 



83 



two canoemen, and ascended Bear River to Great Bear Lake, where 

 he arrived on June 23, finding the ice on the lake still intact. On 

 July 4 the ice had broken up sufficiently to permit him to start along 

 the north shore, which was followed to Eichardson Bay. From here 

 a portage route was followed across the base of the Scented Grass 

 Hills Peninsula, and the traverse across Smith Bay, by way of Tree- 

 less Island, w^as safely accomplished. Coasting along the north shore 

 of the lake, the party reached Fort Confidence, near the mouth of 

 Dease River, on Jul}^ 30. From this point a foot trip was made 

 across the Barren Grounds to the lower Coppermine. After accom- 

 plishing this trip the party left Fort Confidence on August 13 and 

 coasted the eastern shore of Great Bear Lake, ncA^er before explored, 

 to the southern part of MacTavish Bay. From here the party struck 

 off to the southward, ascending the stream called the Camsell, and 

 following a series of lakes and connecting channels. Being without a 

 guide, they experienced much difficulty in finding their way, but 

 finally encountered a party of Indians and under their guidance 

 reached Fort Rae on September 20, and Fort Resolution on September 

 29. Thence the homevfard journey was continued by canoe to Fort 

 Chipewj^an, and by snowshoe to Edmonton. Of the explorations 

 nbout Great Slave Lake a short preliminary report only has been pub- 

 lished, while J. M. Bell has published several short accounts, in which 

 many references to the fauna are made, of his journey of 1900. 



David "T. Hanbury, the well-known traveler and explorer, has con- 

 tributed much toward our knowledge of the geography and natural 

 history of the treeless regions of Keewatin and Mackenzie. On his 

 first journey in this region he left Fort Churchill May 12, 1899, reach- 

 ing Marble Island June 5, and the head of Chesterfield Inlet June 21. 

 Canoe navigation commenced on Baker Lake early in July, and he 

 reached its head July 19. Voyaging westward through Schultz and 

 Aberdeen lakes, he reached the mouth of the Thelon, or Ark-i-linik, 

 River on August 3. This unknown river, which was found to be 

 fringed with spruces from a point 50 miles above its junction with the 

 Dubawnt, and its western branch, now known as Hanbury River, 

 were ascended, and the height of land crossed to Artilleiy Lake. 

 ^^Tiile descending Lockhart River, its outlet, his canoe was over- 

 turned, resulting in the loss of his geological and botanical specimens. 

 He reached Fort Resolution September 25 and Edmonton in the early 

 wirier. 



In 1901, having decided to make further explorations in the north. 

 Hanbury proceeded to Fort Resolution, Great Slave Lake, which he 

 anticipated making his starting point. Accompanied by Hubert Dar- 

 rell, of Manitoba, he left here July 13, and reached the eastern end of 

 Great Slave Lake July 20, Artillery Lake July 23. and the head- 

 vv^aters of the Hanbury July 27. Descending this stream and the 



