GENERAL ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM 
OF CANADA 
By W. H. Collins , Acting Director 
Satisfactory progress was made in the work of the National Museum 
of Canada during the year 1929, in the collecting of material for purposes 
of scientific study and exhibition, in systematic scientific research, in the 
public display of material in the Museum halls, and in general educational 
activities. 
Ethnological investigations were carried on among the Tsimshian 
Indians of Nass River region, British Columbia, the Kwaldutl and Nootka 
tribes of Vancouver island, the little-known Indians in the vicinity of 
Norman on Mackenzie river, and the Ojibway of Georgian bay, and a 
complete series of physical measurements was made of Indians of Peace 
River district. Collections were made, at these various points, of Indian 
material for purposes of study and exhibition, and moving pictures were 
taken among the Kwakiutl and Nootka tribes of Vancouver island and the 
Blackfoot Indians near Gleichen, Alberta. The investigation of ancient 
Indian village sites on the north shore of the St. Lawrence was continued. 
Investigations into the mammal life of southern British Columbia 
were continued and good collections were obtained. These investigations 
are of particular interest because of the way in which the marked variations 
in climatic and topographic conditions are reflected in the fauna and flora. 
Mammals were collected, also, from that part of Quebec north of Ottawa. 
A member of the staff accompanied the annual Canadian Government 
Expedition to the Arctic and made observations on the fauna and on the 
conditions affecting faunal life. 
The botanical survey of Wood Buffalo park, west of Slave river, was 
continued and valuable contributions were made to the herbarium. In 
connexion with a systematic botanical survey of the Maritime Provinces, 
field work was carried on in southwestern New Brunswick. Collections 
were also made from Matapedia valley, Quebec. 
Additions were made to the systematic mineralogical and geological 
collections, and good collections of vertebrate and invertebrate fossil 
material were made. Some of this material will be exhibited, and all of it 
will be made the subject of careful study. 
During the year the Museum equipment was increased by the pur- 
chase of thirty steel table cases specially adapted for placing against the 
wall. Two of these were placed in the Palaeontological hall, three were 
given over to the exhibition of typical ores, rocks, and metallurgical pro- 
ducts from three important mining districts, four are being used for geo- 
graphical exhibits, and the remainder are to be placed along the north and 
south walls of the east Anthropological hall. 
The Anthropological Division has made good progress in the preparing 
and exhibiting of splendid collections of articles of Indian design and 
workmanship, in the upright cases acquired over a year ago. The great 
variety of the objects, and the human element connected therewith, the 
beauty of the designs, and the brightness of the colouring admit of the 
assembling of exhibits of great attractiveness and interest. 
