3 
wind is subject to gum-shake defects. The west coast of Van- 
couver Island and the northwest coast of the mainland are 
too wet for it. 
It is the prevailing tree over about one-half the area of 
Vancouver Island. It is especially notable in the east coast 
districts of Cowichan, Chemainus, Nanaimo, Comox, Say- 
ward, and in Alberni district. Its habitat extends from Sooke 
on the south end of the island to about Nimpkish river in the 
north and extending into the interior over most of the easterly 
drainage area. It is not found on the west coast of the island 
close to the Pacific border, but on the upper reaches of some of 
the Sounds it has a foothold. 
The first appearance of Douglas fir on Barkley Sound is 
upon the upper end of Copper Island. As you pass up the 
Sound, it becomes more, and more a'bundant, and when you 
reach Alberni, it is the dominant tree ; exemplifying, very 
strikingly, the influence of the ocean upon tree growth. 
On the upper portions of Nootka and Kyuquot Sounds, 
there is considerable Douglas fir, again denoting the effect of 
the sea upon the climate, and thus upon plant life. 
On Clayoquot S'ound one may occasionally see a lonely fir 
tree perched upon a dry bare rock, evidently trying to find a 
dry spot/ Under such conditions, the wood is unusually soft. 
The Douglas fir grows upon the coast islands and the 
mainland from the 49th parallel to a point about opposite the 
north end of Vancouver Island. 
Around the shores of Burrard’s Inlet, in days that have 
gone by, it formed, along with Red cedar, a wealth of forest 
growth that was wonderful to behold. But those giants of the 
forest have gone for ever, to make way for the city of Van- 
couver. There are still a few old veterans in Stanley Park, 
and around the suburbs of Vancouver there are many large 
stumps to remind us of those great monarchs of the past. 
The Douglas tree is also an important tree over a. consider- 
able portion of the interior of British Columbia, being locally 
abundant upon elevated slopes where there is a fair amount of 
moisture; but only reaches moderate dimensions. 
