39 
explored James Bay region and Baffin island, our present knowledge of 
Labrador is largely the work of Low, McConnell did extraordinary explor- 
ation work in Yukon, and the Survey publications during this period record 
the work of many others scarcely less deserving of mention. 
It was a time peculiarly favourable for the grow T th of a national mus- 
eum. If the new federation was to develop intelligently much had to be 
learned about the natural character and resources of a territory of enormous 
size, of great topographic and climatic diversity, and as yet practically 
unknown. Field officers of the Survey had not yet begun the narrow 
specialization characteristic of today. They practised and interested 
themselves in almost the whole gamut of outdoor sciences and their reports 
are storehouses of information regarding the topography, climate, fauna 
and flora, and native people, as well as the geology and mineral resources. 
They collected abundantly in all branches of natural history. For 
example, on pages 48A-50A of the Annual Report of the Survey for 1886, 
is a list of thousands of specimens of mammals, birds, insects, shells, fossils, 
minerals, rocks, and other natural history material collected in that year 
by field officers. Also, the Survey was established on a comparatively 
permanent footing, and its appropriations, and staff of trained field officers 
had to be greatly increased in order to deal effectively with the field so 
enlarged by Confederation. Between 1843 and 1869 Survey field parties 
had increased only from two to three; but in 1870 there were six, in 1880, 
eight, and in 1890, fourteen. 
The existence of the Survey was still continued for five-year periods, 
but its purposes were becoming better understood and larger amounts of 
money were being appropriated to it. In 1868 a new Act w T as passed pro- 
viding $30,000 annually for the next five years. Among the terms of this 
act the Geological Survey was required to collect specimens of rocks, soils, 
and minerals and deposit them in the 
"Geological Museum, as a collection for the whole Dominion of Canada^ and which shall be 
open at all reasonable hours to the public, and shall be furnished with such books ana 
instruments as may be necessary for the illustration of the science and the prosecution of 
the Survey.” 
Four years later the annual allowance of money for all purposes was 
raised to $45,000 for the next five 3 r ears. At last, in 1877, the Geological 
Survey was given continuity of existence for an indefinite period. Thence 
forward to the present time it has presented to Parliament each year a 
budget of its needs upon which have been based the amounts of money 
voted for it. In this Act of 1877 the museum functions of the Survey 
were recognized more fully. 
"It shall be the duty of the persons in charge of the said Survey: — (2) To continue to collect 
the necessary materials for a Canadian Museum of natural history, mineralogy and geology; 
(8) The Museum shall be opened to the public from ten n.m. until four p,m. 
Sundays excepted, and shall be furnished with such books, instruments and apparatus as 
may be necessary for scientific reference, and for the prosecution of the Survey; and the 
Governor in Council may, from time to time, cause the enlargement of the museum, and 
the distribution of duplicate specimens to scientific, literary and educational institutions 
in Canada and other countries.” 
Much of this is only an expression of what the museum activities had 
already become under Logan and Selwyn. Selwyn appears to have been 
a man of methodical disposition, to whom the shopkeeping duties of museum 
work w T ere not uncongenial. Under him the museum grew rapidly and 
its purpose and methods of conduct became well established. For example, 
