99 
FIVE NEW MAMMALS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA 
By Rudolph Martin Anderson 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Introduction 99 
Descriptions of new species and subspecies 100 
Illustration 
Plate V. Skulls of hoary marmots 
119 
INTRODUCTION 
An objective of the Biological Division of the National Museum of 
Canada is to form a collection of all the species of animals and plants 
found in the Dominion. To accomplish this plan, field parties have been 
sent from time to time to areas where the fauna and flora have not been 
thoroughly investigated. British Columbia is one of the largest provinces 
and offers the greatest diversity in physiographic conditions, and con- 
sequent greatest differences in the forms of animal and plant life. Though 
small local collections were made for the Museum at various times since 
1885 by G. M. Dawson, John Macoun, J. M. Macoun, William Spread- 
borough, and others, the mammal specimens from the province in the 
museum up to 1919 totalled only 1,060 specimens and vast areas remained 
untouched. 
The southern part of the province along the International Boundary 
appeared to be the most promising field for work, as it is much cut up by 
alternating mountain ranges and valleys with resultant differences in 
climatic conditions. 
The mountain barriers were known to separate various ecological 
associations of animals and plants. Systematic, intensive field work was 
begun at the coast in the spring of 1927 and carried on, for four field 
seasons, across the province to the foothills of the Rocky mountains. 
As a result the total number of British Columbia mammals in the National 
Museum collection increased to 3,950 by 1932. The collection includes 
some species heretofore known only from the United States side of the 
border, but which were found to extend their range up some of the valleys 
into British Columbia. The large series of some groups brought together 
enabled adequate comparisons to be made and showed several local geo- 
graphic forms which, according to modern usage, and for convenience in 
reference, appear to deserve naming as new species or subspecies. 
Since beginning active work on the British Columbia mammals, the 
writer has had opportunity to compare some of the British Columbia 
material with border-line specimens and other Canadian material in the 
United States National Museum at Washington, the Philadelphia Academy 
