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GUIDE MAP

OF THE PROVINCK OF

BRITISH COLUMBIA,

WITH SHORT

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

THE COUi^TRY.

VICTORIA, B. C. : »

Printed by Richard \Voi,kexdkn, Printer to the Queen's
Most Kxcellent Majesty.

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PRELIMINARY- MAP

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Compiled and drawi by Tho^ H Parr CE
from reliAhle sources oi information including
latest Maps aivd ^ui've^^s.
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INTRODUCTION.

.id

British Columbia, the most western Province of the
Dominion of Canada, is conseciuently the most remote from

he Atlantic seaboard and European trade. But in order
V appreciate its value and future possibilities, it must

je ^arded not in its relation to the Atlantic, the present
highway of the world's commerce, but from its position
upon the Pacific, which there are increasing indications to
show will become a highway of at least equal importance
in the near future. There can be but little doubt that the
tide of internatioiuil trade is setting strongly towards the
west, and tli«t not many years hence will be seen a devel-
opment of commercial activity on the shores of the Pacific
Ocean of as great proportions as the Atlantic has ever
witnessed. .

Within the space of a short lifetime the first steamboat
discharged her freight on the shores of the British Pacific.
Then California was unknown, save as a remote Spanish
settlement which had been recently added to the American
Territories ; and British Columbia was part of a vast
wilderness over which a fur trading company held nominal
sway, ruling a scattered Indian population by means of a
andful of agents in stockaded forts. Now, the freight
;arried by Pacific coast vessels exceeds 13,000,000 tons
annually ; California has become the promised land of the
American people ; the wild territories of Washington and
Oregon are wealthy and populous States ; and British
Columbia is assuming the same maritime position as that
occupied by Great Britain and the western countries of
Europe, when trade first passed beyond the bounds of the
Mediterranean Sea. Whether she will maintain that
position remains to be seen. It will depend mainly upon

100580

4 Geographical Sicetcu

the energy and enterprise of Canada, and her ability to
compete with so energetic and enterprising a nation as her
neighbour the United States. But the fact that already,
with a population of only five millions, she has become the
fifth maritime power of the world; that she has the shortest
route to the Orient over rail and sea by 800 miles ; that
she hat harbours of unequalled excellence on both seaboards,
and that she has the power, prestige, and commercial status
of the British Nation at her back, augurs fair for a contin-
uance of those traditions which have in the past accom-
panied the Empire of which she now forms no inconsider-
able a part.

It is, then, its position upon the shores of the Pacific
which gives to British Columbia its primary geographical
importance, and which justifies it in its claim to be consid-
ered the Great Britain of that ocean. Lying between the
same parallels of latitude, enjoying a climate which has
been modified by the Japan current in precisely the same
way as the climate of the Mother Country has been
rendered temperate by the gulf stream, abounding in the
. same economic minerals, inhabited V^y the same people and
■' governed by the same laws, the claim can-hardly be con-
sidered unjustified. It requires time only to show whether
the influences of the hotter and more enervating climate of
the south will in a few generations so far affect the races
inhabitating California as to leave the inhabitants of this
Province and the more northern States adjacent chief
representatives of the stock from whence both sprung; and
it is greatly to be regretted that a country which l)ids fair
to play so prominent a part in the future history of the
British Nation should have received so scant and tardy
recognition at the hands of its legitimate possessors, while
the more far-seeing owners of the neigh)x)uring territory
are straining every nerve m develop their own heritage.

OP British Columbia.

, and her ability to
ising a nation as her
le fact that already,
, she has become the
it she has the shortest
by 800 miles; that
ce on both seaboards,
nd commercial status
^urs fair for a contin-
e in the past accom-
forms no inconsider-

:hf)res of the Pacific
primary geographical
ts claim to be consid-
Lying between the
a climate which has
in precisely the same
T Country has been
2am, abounding in the
y the same people and
im can -hardly be con-
only to show whether
: enervating climate of
() far aflect the races
le iidiabitants of this
States adjacent chief
jnce both sprung; and
luntry which l)ids fair
future history of the
(d so scant and tardy
imate possessors, while
neighbouring territory
their own heritage.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The Province of British Columbia may be described as a
great quadrangle of territory, seven hundred miles long by
four hundred miles wide, lying north of latitude 49° and
west of the central core of the Rocky Mountains, extending
along the Pacific Coast as far as latitude 55°, and including
the islands adjacent. North of that degree of latitude it
continues inland to latitude 60°, but is shut off from the
coast by a narrow strip of Alaskin Territory, and is
bounded on the east by longitude 120°. A considerable
part of this northern portion, though of some present value
on account of its gold mines and fur-bearing animals, is
unsuitable for general S3ttlen>ent and is very sparsely
inhabited.

The southern half of the f'rovince, it will be seen, lies
between tolerably well defined boundaries, and may be
treated independently of the nortli(Mn portion. It forms a
large and regular rhomboid, of elevated land, which is
supported on each side by ranges of mruntains. Of these
the eastern and western may be said to be double, and
consist respectively of the Rockies and Selkirks* on the
east, and of the Coast and Island Ranges on the west.

These mountain ranges exei'cise so important an influ-
ence upon the country that thoy require especial consider-
ation. The north and south boundaries are merely
transverse spurs and elevations orographically connected
with the same ranges.

* Note. — The 8elkirks nre, properly s||)Baking, only a auborilinate
portion of the more western of the two ranges, hut since no term
has been generally accepted for tlie entire range, and since the
Canadian Pacific Railway has especially familiarized travellers vith
this name, it has been thought gootl to ap])ly it to the whole i\inge
of which it thus constitutes the best known part.

Geographical Sketch

'■

The Rocky Mountains.

The easternmost range of the four above enumerated is
that of the Rocky Mountains. It is the northern
extremity of the great range which forms so well-known a
teature of the North American Continent. Entering the
Province at the 49th parallel of latitude, it constitutes the
eastern boundary to latitude 54°, and continues to between
56° and 57°, where it loses its distinctive rampart-like
character, and dies down into lower hills. It has been
shown to consist of the upturned edges of the strata that
underlie the great north-west plain, and its massive walls
are formed chiefly of L'evonian and carboniferous lime-
stones. Their average heignt may be stated at about
8,000 feet. " Near the 49th parallel several summits
occur with elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, but north-
wards few attain this elevation till the vicinity of the Bow
River and Kicking Horse is reached. The range appears
to culminate about the head-waters of the Saskatchewan,
Mount Murchison being fcredited with an altitude of
13,500 feet." {Daivson, Geol. Sur., 1887.) There are
twelve principal passes, at elevations ranging from 7,100
leet — the South Kootenay — to 2,000 feet- — the Peace River
Valley. The value of this great fence to the Province
climatically, cannot be over-estimated. Rising between
the wide plains of the north-west interior and the compar-
atively narrow area of the Pacific Slope, it serves alike to
protect British Columbia effectually from the dry, cold
north-east winds, and to deflect the mild and moisture-
laden breezes of the ocean in their passage from the west.

In addition to the above considerations, these mountains
contain a grea potential wealth of valuable minerals,
extensive seams of coal having been found to outcrop in
certain localities on their western flank, and frequent indi-
cations being shown of deposits of iron and other useful
metals along their course.

enumerated is
the northern
!0 well-known a
Entering the
i constitutes the
rxues to between
ve rampart-like
s. It has been
the strata that
s massive walls
boniferous lime-
itated at about
several summits
feet, but north-
inity of the Bow
3 range appears
3 Saskatchewan,
an altitude of
17.) There are
vging from 7,100

OP British Columbia.
The SelMrks.

Parallel to the Rocky Mountains proper, and frequently
included under one name with them, though of distinct
formation, run the Selkiiks. This range, which has been
shown by geologists to represent an earlier upheaval, and
to exhibit an entirely different series of rocks, is so broken

1"and complex as to have received several names in different
parts of its course, as though composed of distinctly separ-
ate mountain systems. Such, however, is not the case. A
relation has been demonstrated to exist between all these
subordinate mountain groups, and the reason of their less
regular arrangement than the Rockies has been referred to
the crystalline structure of their component rock?, which
ave upturned with more eccentric fractures than the
stratified materials of the neighbouring range.

Entering from the south in a three-fold system divided
ly important valleys, they are called respectively the Pur-
ell, the Selkirk, and the Gold Mountains. To the north
if the great bend of the Columbia River, these give place
;o the term Cariboo Mountains. At about latitude 54°

;

the Peace River j hey die out, or are merged in the cross ranges which form

o the Province
Rising between
md the compar-
, serves alike to
n the dry, cold
d and moisture-
;e from the west,
these mountains
kluable minerals,
nd to outcrop in
nd frequent indi-
and other useful

he northern boundary of the interior plateau, and from
vhence spring the head-waters of the Peace River.

The economic value of the Selkii'k Range lies in the very
■aluable deposits of precious and base metals which have
)een discovered throughout the course of its upheaval, and
urther reference to which will be nuiHe in speaking of the
ocalities where they are so far known to occur.

Tn average altitude these mountains are not greatly
iferior to the Rockies, their loftier members rising from
,000 feet to 9,000 feet above the sea. Their contours are,
iuerally speaking, more rounded and less precipitous than
he latter, though in many places they are strikingly
)inted with steep and continuous grades, down which
low-slides sweep with resistless force. Their sides, up to

Geographical Sketch

several thousand feet, are clothed in dense forests, afford-
ing an unlimited supply of good timber.

The average width of tlie Rocky Mountain Range is
about sixty miles, diminishing to the north ', that of the
Selkirks is about eighty miles.

There is a valley of most remarkable length and regu-
larity, extending from the southern boundary line along
the western base of the Rocky Mountains as far as the
northern limits of the Selkirks, a distance of over 700
miles, and dividing the two ranges.

Interior Plateau.

To the west of these great ranges British Columbia
extends in a wide plateau of table land, which has been
originally elevated some 3,500 feet above sea-level. This
plateau has been, however, so deeply intersected and
eroded by lake and river systems that, in many places, it
presents an aspect hardly differing from that of mountain
regions. At others, however, it opens out into wide plains
and rolling ground, with comparitively low eminences,
affording fine areas of agricultural and grazing land. Th»> i
entire district has been subject to vast overflows of lava, of
the disintegrated remains of which the present soil is
mainly composed. There is a general but very gradual
slope of the land from the mountainous country on the
southern boundary of the Province to the north, where, as
has been previously stated, it is hedged in by cross range-
attaining an elevation of from 6,000 feet to 8,000 feet
Notwithstanding this general slope, the principal flow of
water finds its way southwards through deep fissures pen<
trating the mountain boundaries * on the southern ami
western sides. This plateau forms the chief agricultuni
area of the Province. " The whole of British Golumbi.-
south of 52° and east of the Coast Range, is a graziii
country up to 3,500 feet, and a farming country up fi^

2,500 feet, where irrigation is possible." {Macouv, (Jeo
Rep. 1S77.)

OF British Columbia.

forests, afford-

mtain Range is
[rth ; that of the

mgth and regu-
idary line along
is as far as the
Ince of over 700

British Columbia

I, which has been

sea-level. This

intersected anfl

n many places, it

hat of mountain

t into wide plains

f low eminences,

fazing land. The

erflows of lava, of

e present soil is

but very gradual

as country on tho;

e north, where, as

n by cross rangt;

set to 8,000 feet

3 principal flow ot

ieep fissures penc-

;he southern an(i

chief agricultural

British Columbia.

nge, IS a grazni
ig country up ti
" (Macoun, Geo

Coast and Island Ranges.

It is terminated on the west by the Coast Range, a
series of massive crystalline rocks of some 6,000 feet in
average height. This range has a mean width of about
100 miles, descendiiig to the shores of the Pacific, and is in
turn flanked by the submerged Island Range, the tops of
which form Vancouver and her adjacent islands; the Queen
Charlotte Islands, and those of the Alaskan Peninsula.
The crystalline rocks of the Coast Range are the source of
the rich gold deposits of the Fraser River, which may be
said to have first brought the Province into prominent
notice, and which are by no means yet exhausted. The
basins of cretaceous rock surviving the upheaval of the
Island Range, and preserved by it from submergence
beneath the Pacific, include the valuable coal measures of
Nanaimo and Comox, which at present supply the most
important mineral export of British Columbia. The
moisture caused by the deflection of the warm sea breezes
by these ranges is productive of an enormous forest growth,
for which the coast is famous.

" The most remarkable features of the coast are its fjords
and passages, which while quite analagous to those of
Scotland, Norway, and Greenland, probably surpass those
of any part of the world (unless it be the last named
country) in dimensions and complexity. The great height
of the rugged mountain walls which border them also give
them a grandeur quite their own." {Dawson, Geol. Sur.,
1884.) • ■• ■ -' . • •

: I

'-,1

Geographic .L Sketch

RIVERS.

The unique position of British Columbia as a water-shed,
on the Pacific Coast of America, will at once be recognized
when it is seen that all the rivers of great importance on
that coast, with the exception of one (the Colorado), arise
from within its boundaries. The drainage from its exten-
sive area of mountains and highlands is received into the
numerous lakes, which have been noticed as forming so
striking a feature of the interior. Thence the surplus is
discharged into the few large rivers or their many tribu-
taries, which finally reach the sea. These river«! are the
C/olumbia on the south ; the Fraser, the Skeena, and the
Stickeen on the west ; the Liard on the north, and the
Peace River on the east. These rivers are of great size
and volume, and the first four are sufficiently navigable to
steamers to form water-ways of no small value in the
development of the country.

The Fraser.

This may be considered the most important river of the
Province, from the fact that it lies entirely within British
territory, that its navigable waters traverse some of the
best agricultural lands, and that it has been the chief
source of two considerable industries — gold-washing and
salmon-canning. Rising from several sources on the west
slope of the Rockies, in the neighbourhood of the Yellow-
head Pass, it flows north-west for about 190 miles along
the deep valley which divides those mountains from the
range of the Selkirks. There it rounds the northern limit
of the latter, and, turning south, flows for 470 miles in
that direction, turning to the west in the last 80 miles of
its course before reaching the sea. Its total length is thus
somewhere about 740 miles. Before penetrating the Coast
Range through the picturesque caflon which bears its

OP British Columbia.

as a water-shed,
ce be recognized
importance on
Colorado), arise
from its exten-
•eceived into the
as forming so
the surplus is
leir many tribu-
: river«! are the
Skeena, and the
north, and the
re of great size
itly navigable to
11 value in the

ant river of the
y within British
rse some of the
been the chief
old-washing and
ces on tho west
1 of the Yellow-
l90 miles along
itains from the
! northern limit
•r 470 miles in
ast 80 miles of
il length is thus
rating the Coast
vhich bears its

name, it is joined by its largest tributary, the Thompson, a
considerable stream flowing west from the centre of the
interior plateau. For the last 80 miles of its course it
flows through a wide alluvial plain, which has been mainly
deposited from its own silt, and in the last ten miles it
divides, forming a delta, of the richest alluvial soil in the
Province. It is navigable to steamers and vessels of
ordinary size over this distance of 80 miles, and again for
smaller craft for about 60 miles of its course through the
interior, from Quesnellemouth to Soda Creek. Its current
is rapid, and in the early summer it overflows its banks in
the lower part of its course, rendering necessary the use of
dykes. .

The Columbia.

This large and important water-course, which but for the
blunders of British Ministers would have undoubtedly
formed the main southern boundary of the Province, takes
its rise in the Columbia Lakes, latitude 50°, and pursues
its eccentric course round the Kootenay Districts, which,
together with its confluent the Kootenay, it completely
encircles. There is no parallel to the extraordinary wind-
ings of these two rivers and their associated lakes. Starting
from points so close that they have actually been in one
place connected by a canal one mile long, they flow in dia-
metrically opposite directions, north-west and south-east,
along the deep western valley of the Rockies, until they
reach a maximum distance of 250 miles apart. They then
turn, and after passing respectively through two series
of lakes — the upper and lower Arrow Lakes and the
Kootenay Lake — they unite at a point not more than 70
miles distant from their origins. This point is only about 20
miles north of the boundary, which the Kootenay had
already crossed twice, traversing American territory for
some 150 miles of its course. The united streams then
flow in a southerly direction, being joined by another

M.«a:!suwt>i*»MiM

GEOGnAPHICAL SKETCH

3i!

i:ii

large river, the Pend d'Oreille, just before crossing the
boundary, whence their course is through the State of
Washington, about 750 miles to the Pacific Ocean.

The Columbia drains a total area of 195,000 square
miles — one-seventh more than the Colorado. In British
Columbia it is navigable from the Columbia Lake to the
first crossing of the Canadian Pacific Railway at Golden
City, and again from the second crossing at Revelstoke
through the Arrow Lakes to its union with the Kootenay.
There are small steamboats plj ing on both these routes, as
also on the Kootenay between American points and the
Kootenay Lake.

The valuable deposits of precious and base metals which
have of recent years been discovered in the neighbourhood
of Kootenay Lake render it probable that these water-
ways will be of the first importance as means for the tran-
shipment of ore, for which purpose they have already
begun to be extensively used.

It is much to be regretted that the British Government
had not sufficient sagacity to retain possession of the
district lying between the forty-ninth parallel and the
mouth of the Columbia River. This district had been
occupied without opposition by the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, who had a trading station, Fort Vancouver, on the
banks of the river, opposite what is now the City of
Portland. From thence they were driven to Fort Victoria,
on Vancouver Island, by the terms of the treaty of 1846,
by which the forty-ninth parallel was established as the
boundary line between Canada and the United States.
The American people can hardly be blamed for securing so
valuable a possession as the Puget Sound, and one of
which they have made so good use ; but it is evident that,
although an imaginary boundary line, such as a pai-allel of
latitude, may be valuable across a great level tract like the
interior of the Dominion, it is very inferior to a natural

i crossing the
the State of
)cean.

)5,000 square
In British
Lake to the
way at Golden
at Revelstoke
;he Kootenay.
lese routes, as
)oints and the

metals which

neighbourhood

t these water-

ns for the tran-

' have already

sh Government
ssession of the
irallel and the
trict had been
on's Bay Cora-
ncouver, on the
w the City of
) Fort Victoria,
treaty of 1846,
iblished as the
United States,
for securing so
d, and one of
s evident that,
as a parallel of
;1 tract like the
r to a natural

OP British Columbia.

line of demarcation, such as is provided by a wide river,
when separating countries of a mountainous and not easily
accessible character.

' The Skeena. .^ ...

There could be no clearer proof of the general lack of
knowledge which prevails of the geography of North-West
America than the fact that current educational works
ascribe to the Province no rivers except the Fraser and
Columbia. The Skeena is unknown even by name to those
whose memory is crowded with the minor streams of Europe,
and of the eastern side of America; and yet of a length
approximately to 300 miles it is greatly superior to any
river in England, and would rank on the continent with
such as the Rhone, being wider, 130 miles from the sea, than
the Seine at Paris. It rises from several widely separated
sources, the most northern of which are on the Pacific- Arctic
watershed, N. of lat. 56°, and the most southern to the south
of Babine Lake, about lat. 54^10'. The greatest volume of
water is however supplied by a confluent, the Babine River,
which flows from the large lake of that name, entering the
north fork of the Skeena about 30 miles above Hazelton
(lat. 55° 10'). At this place the south fork, known on the
maps as the Bulkley River, but to the Indians as the Hag-
wilget* River, joins the main stream, which from thence
flows in a south-west course, striking the coast about lat.
54° 10'. The river has a wide mouth without any delta,
but is dotted with alluvial islands for a distance of nearly
a hundred miles from the sea, having an average width of
about a mile. Above the Kitsilas Cafion, a gorge traversing
the coast range, it narrows from 800 to 200 yards at Hazel-
ton. The shores up to the cafion do not exhibit much good
land except on the bends and islands, which are covered
with poplar and small maples. About 20 miles above the
cafion the valley widens to some five or six miles, there
being good bench land on both sides. This continues con-
*The man in fine clothes. ■ '<■■ ,.■..! -'" ••.

i!M.' l< ' 1

Oeooraphical Sketch

siderably above Hazelton, and on the south fork, thirty
miles from thence, there is a fine district of prairie extending
S. E. right through to the Nechaco River, an important
tributary of the Fraser. The current of the Skeena is
rapid, about 4^ miles an hour, but it is regularly ascended
by stern-wheel boats as far as Hazelton.

The Stikeen.

This river, although ignored even by recent works on
the geography of North America, is of sufficient magnitude
and importance to justify its ranking among the first
of the Dominion. Upwards of 250 miles in length, and
navigable to stern-wheel steamers for 130 miles of its
course from the sea, it forms the main artery of communi-
cation for a district of many thousand square miles — in
fact, it may be said, for the entire Province north of
latitude 57°. That portion of the Province has been
omitted from the accompanying map as unsuited to general
immigration, but its capacities must not be under-estimated.
It has been compared by Dr. Dawson with the Russian
Province of Vologda, which supports at present a popula-
tion of over one million. It can grow the same products,
and in mineral wealth is probably vastly superior. At
present it is hardly touched except by fur traders and gold
miners, and yet contributes no small quota (about $150,000
annually) to the revenues of the country.

The Stikeen rises from several sources north of latitude
57", one of these springing from the neighbourhood of
Dease Lake, on the Pacific-Arctic watershed, upon which
the chief centre of distribution for the district (Laketon) is
situated. Its navigable course is interfered with by rapids
until the Great CaBon is passed, but from thence, though
the stream averages some five miles an hour, it is quite
navigable. It flows mainly south-west, and enters the
Pacific by a large inlet, or fiord, which passes through
Alaskan Territory in latitude 56° 40'. For the last twenty

■ i^

OF British Coluebia.

fork, thirty
lirie extending
an important
the Skeena is
arly ascended

cent works on
ent magnitude
long the first
in length, and

miles of its
y of communi-
uare miles — in
ince north of
ince has been
ited to general
ader-estimated.

1 the Russian
ssent a popula-
same products,

superior. At
•aders and gold
ibout $150,000

rth of latitude
ghbourhood of
;d, upon which
ct (Laketon) is
with by rapids
ihence, though
lOur, it is quite
nd enters the
passes through
the last twenty

miles it flows more sluggishly through a wide alluvial
district, but has no true delta like the Fraser. It is here
between two and three miles wide. Above this point it
occupies a valley with receding shores several miles in
width, until it becomes restricted at the Little Ca&on to a
gorge three-fifths of a mile long and a few hundred
yards wide, after which it widens again as far as
Glenora, 126 miles from its mouth. Twelve miles above
Glenora it is again restricted within the gorge of the Great
Caflon, above which it is of no navigable value. The main
stream flows from an origin some 120 miles to the south,
but the branch running from Dease Lake is the only one
of any importance, since it provides a pass in the sur-
rounding mountains for a road to that point.

Liard and Peace Rivers.

These rivers, which with their numerous tributaries
drain the north-eastern quarter of the Province, are both
of sufficient size to make them of noteworthy importance
in any country, but are of only inferior value, as not com-
municating with a freight-carrying ocean. They are
themselves confluents of the great Mackenzie River, which
empties into the Arctic Sea.

The country through which the Liard flows is little
known, and its capacities have not hitherto been gauged.
The Peace River, on the other hand, drains a district
which has long been considered of agricultural value.
Such confidence, indeed, had the Dominion authorities in
this country, that 3,500,000 acres were accepted by them
in lieu of such lands within the Canadian Pacific Railway
belt as the Province was unable to grant towards railway
construction, from the fact that they were already occupied
by settlers.

Each of these rivers has a course of between 300 and
400 miles through British Columbia. Over the greater

Geoquapuical Sketch

part of this distance they are navigable to cauues and
small craft.

In addition to the above rivers, it will be seen that the
sources of the Yukon lie within the British Columbia
boundary line, though that great watercourse is of little
practical value until it passes into the Territory of Alaska ;
and that the *Naas River, the only stream of secondary
importance which reaches the coast (latitude 54:° 55'), is
by no means useless, as it uff'ords communication with a
district otherwise difficult of approach, and is the seat, at
its mouth, of an important fishing industry.

*Recent explorations contluctetl by Mr. A. L. Poudrier, D.L.S.,
have demonstrated that this river is umch larger than has hitherto
been supposed, in fact very little inferior to the Skeeua, and drains
a fine agricultural district.

LAKES.

The lakes of British Columbia are, for the most part,
enlargements of her numerous water-courses, caused by
obstructions, the result of their debris and silt. The
rapidity of current and continual freshets from the moun-
tain snows render such natural f'ams matters of more or
less frequent occurrence iiOwada};i, but in a post-glacial
age, when most of the lakes l.j t ear to have been formed,
enormous torrents which tiowed through the country
created them on a scale of much greater dimensions.
Local circumstances have tended to group these lakes and
chain them together along the same river beds, as will be
seen by referring to the map. For instance, the Arrow
Lakes occupy 120 miles of the course of the Columbia, and
the Shuswap Lake and Lake Kamloops have a length far
greater than all the unenlarged portion of the South
Thompson River. In fact, every part of the interior
appears netted together by streams and lakes.

I 1

»'i

cauues and

seen tlmt the
ish Columbia
se is of little
)ry of Alaska ;
of secondary
le 54° 5o'), is
•ation with a
is the seat, at

ouihier, D.L.S.,
an haa hitherto
leiiu, und drains

the most part,
ses, caused by
tnd silt. The
roin the moun-
rs of more or

a post-glacial
I been formed,
the country
sr dimensions,
hese lakes and
)eds, as will be
ice, the Arrow
Columbia, and
ve a length far
of the South
f the interior

OF Britisu Columbia.

CLIMATE.

Notwithstanding much has been written about the
climate of British Columbia, many misconceptions appear
to prevail on that subject outside the Province. In some
quarters, through confusion with 'he north-west interior of
the Dominion, an impression has been formed that at least
to the east of the Coast Range fearful extremes of cold are
to be endured by the inhabitants, while in others, through
a misapprehension of the report of travellers, it has been
imagined that the climate of the coast resembles that of the
shores of the Mediterranean. In order to acquire a reason
able idea of the true state of the case, let anyone first
examine upon a map of Europe that part of the country
which lies between the same parallels of latitude, and
extends over the same area of land from the Atlantic
Coast, and then consider how far conditions which are
known to exist there will be modified by local differences
on the Pacific. It will be seen that between hits. 49°-59°
must be included Great Britain, the north-east corner of
France, Belgium, Holland, North Germany, Prussia,
Denmark, the south of Sweden, the Baltic Provinces, and
the coast of Russia to the Gulf of Finland. This tract of
country in area and latitude approximately represents
British Columbia, and may be considered as a whole to
present almost the same climatic conditions. The differ-
ences to be allowed for are as follows : First, the Japan
current, the north equatorial current of the Pacific, does
not flow so closely to the American coast as the gulf
stream does to the shores of northern Europe, but
admits of a return Arctic current from the north. This
Arctic current, which renders the waters of British

Geographical Skei-ch

Columbia extremely cold, causes a condensation of the
moisture borne by the prevailing westerly winds east-
wards, and produces a humidity most beneficial to the
vegetation of the Province. The winds are arrested, in a
measure, by the Coast Range, creating a dry belt to the
east of those mountains, but the higher currents of air
discharge their moisture against the Selkirks, creating the
copious snow-fall which distinguishes that range from its
neighbour, the Rockies

Thus a series of aluernate moist and dry belts are formed
throughout the Province, which have no parallel on the
coast of Europe,. where the more broken coast line and
absence of lofty mountain ranges, together with the practi-
cal non-existence of an Arctic current, tend to distribute the
rain-fall over the whole area. It will easily be seen how
these belts will be broken and moditie<l in places by the
varied elevation of the mountains and the presence of
passes such as the Fraser Cafion.

• Again, the decrease in elevation of the Rocky and
Selkirk Ranges as they approach the north admits a free
passage for the dry winds of the Arctic regions to sweep
down over the northern portion of the ProWnce, bringing
with tiiem a corresponding reduction in temperature in
winter or increase in the summer, when the long Arctic
day admits an accumulation of dry hot air over those
regions. Since there is open sea io the north of the
European continent these conditions exist there only
in a modified form, although the Baltic Pro\'inces, Poland,
and Prussia experience very similar climatic efi'ects from
the N. E. winds.

And lastly, the elevation of the interior plateau is, of
course, greatly superior to that of Northern Europe,
making an average difference in barometric pressure of
some two inches.

* OP British Columbia.

ation of the
winds east-

ficial to the
arrested, in a
y belt to the
rrents of air

creating the
nge from its

ts are formed
rallel on the
r>ast line and
ith the practi-
distribute the
y be seen how
ilaces by the
e presence of

e Rocky and
admits a free
gions to sweep
■ince, bringing
emperature in
e long Arctic
lir over those
north of the
t there only
inces, Poland,
c effects from

plateau is, of
hern Europe,
c pressure of

The general result of the above differences between the
two countries is to accentuate the moisture of the Pacific
Coast region and the extremes of temperature in the
interior. Where the latter extends in areas of high
elevation these extremes of temperature will necessarily be
more felt, while in valleys and cailons open to the coast and
well protected from the north a more mild and ecjuable
climate will result. At the same time, as there is a greater
symmetry in the main features of land and water, the
straight coast line and parallel mountain ranges, so the
great ocean winds are probably less interfered with by
local conditions, and there is a greater regularity of the
seasons.

So far as the coast is concerned an increase in rain-fall
and general humidity will be expected to the north, where
the Arctic current is colder and wider, and condensation
consequently greater, the east coast of Vancouver will be
less humid than the west, from arrest of moisture by the
mountains and forests of the island interior, and the shores
of the mainland oppo&ice will be more liable to rain and
fog from the low temperature of the waters of the Gulf,
which are mainly derived from the cold northern back-
wash, and from the propinquity of heavily timbered
mountainous tracts.

GENERAL NATURE OF THE COUNTRY.

It will be seen from a consideration of the geological
conditions, that no such areas of level prairie-land,
as are found in the North-West Territories of the
Ijouiinion, can be expecte<i to occur within the Province,
The interior plateau, it is true, has plenty of open grass
country, but this is t>ituated on benches and elevated table-
lands, and is invariably b<junded by mountains and ravines.
Benches are flat terraces of gravel and silt, extending
back from the shores of rivers or lakes and irarking the

liii

Geographical Sketch

level at which water flowed at an earlier period, when not
restricted within the bounds of its present channels. They
are to be found throughout the interior, sometimes of great
extent and at a very considerable height above the water
level. In the Okanagan country they comprise several
million acres of the best land, both for fruit-growing and
grain. The climate is here sufficiently humid to obviate
the necessity of irrigation, which when required becomes a
serious problem, owing to the high elevation of the benches
above the water supply. Where irrigation is impossible
there is good natural herbage for grazing, chief of which is
the bunch-grass, a most nutritious feed for cattle. West
of the Fraser, between latitude 52° and 54°, there is
another extensive tract of country, extending to the Coast
Range and comprising some three million acres of this class
of land, varying from water meadows to high table-lands.
East of the Fraser the good land is chiefly confined to the
valleys, the mountains being too steep, rocky, and densely
wooded to be of much value. Though this fact necessarily
limits the extent to which agriculture can be prosecuted,
there are, nevertheless, fine farms to be found in the
neighbourhood of every settlement of importance as far as
latitude 54° in the interior, and in a smaller degree on the
rivers of the coast, the Skeena, the Naas, and the Stikeen,
as far as latitude 57°.

West of the Coast Range all agriculture may be said to
be confined to bottom and delta land. The mountains are
precipitous and covered with dense forests, but every one
of the innumerable valleys and depressions has its patch of
good allu\nal soil of a size varying from a few acres on the
little island ravines to hundreds of thou.\>ands in the great
valley of the Fraser. There is thus proviaed an amount
of farm land which would not be imagined by a stranger
looking for the first time upon the wooded shores and
islands of the coast. Much of this dense wood will, no
doubt, be cleared in time, for pine land will amply repny

OF British Columbia.

riod, when not

laiinels. They

etimes of great

)0ve the water

mprise several

it-growing and

nid to obviate

lired becomes a

of the benches

1 is impossible

lief of which is

cattle. West

54°, there is

ng to the Coast

Tes of this class

igh table-lands.

confined to the

ky, and densely

fact necessarily

be prosecuted,

found in the

jrtance as far as

sr degree on the

lid the Stikeen,

e may be said to
e mountains are
s, but every one
has its patch of
few acres on the
ds in the great
icied an amount
d by a stranger
ded shores and
3 wood will, no
ill amply repHj

cultivation, but in almost every case it will be found that
the nucleus of the farm has been the "bottom," from the
sides of which the settler has gradually extended his opera-
tions as time and means afforded him opportunity.

It must not be omitted to observe in considering the
farming Cdpabilities of the more densely timbered region of
the coast, and of the interior mountainous districts, that a
good deal of that land which would not repay extensive
clearing provides an undergrowth of nutritious bushes and
shrubs upon which cattle and sheep can be profitably
pas r.«d. Nearly every fanner avails himself of this fact
^'1 i*-"'\ 'As stock at least for some time during the year,
and .ipon Vancouver and the adjacent islands sheep are
run in this way all the year ronnci. .

POLITICAL DIVISIONS.

The Province has been divided into eighteen districts for
electoral purposes, nine of which are on Vancouver and
the adjacent islands. These districts practically serve the
same part as comities, and, althoug'i liable to subdivision
with the inc'T^ase of population, will undoubtedly remain
as permane it, bfrcidaries.

From h< ') to'ior to the coast — in which order they will
be taken, si;- ■ he main road into the country, the Cana-
dian Pacific j \)^ ly, approaches frt)m that side — they
are: East KfO'enay, "West Kootenay, Yale, Lillot)et,
Westminste , New Westminster City, Vancouver City,
Carib'^j, and Cassiar.

The Island districts, from the south to the north, are
Victoria City, Victoria, Esquimalt, Cowichan, The Islands,
Nanaij City, Nanaimo, Alberni, and Coniox.

'xb3 East and West Kootenays.

The K«M .eiip.ys, embracing an area of 16,500,000 acres,
comp-'se a tract of country not greatly removed from

Geographical Sketch

a right-angled triangle in shape, of which the apex is
a point north of the great bend of the Columbia, the
base is the forty-ninth parallel, the hypothenuse is the
water-shed of the Rocky Mountains, and the third side
a line some ten miles west of the Columbia River and
Arrow Lakes. This triangle is again divided by a line
from the apex ^c the base along the main water-shed of the
Purcell branch j Selkirks, into two portions approxi-

mately equal, E.. and West Kootenay, the former
being the larger by about one-eighth. Access to East
Kootenay is obtained from the interior by several passes
over the Rocky Mountains, of which the principal are
the Kicking Horse and the Crow's Nest. The former is
that used by the Canadian Pacific Railway; the latter, in
the neighbourhood of which extensive coal deposits have
been discovered, has been chosen for a projected line, which
is to secure a more direct route to the southern portion of
the districts and the mines situate on Kootenay Lake.
At present good waggon roads supplement river communi-
cation between the Canadian Pacific Railway and the
boundary, and a short railway line has been constructed
from Nelson, on the Kootenay Lake, to Robson, at the
junction of the two rivers, along a portion of the Kootenay
River which is impassable by boat.

These districts include three important valleys formed
by the three-fold division of the Selkirk Range. The
first is a portion of the great western valley of the
Rockies, and is watered by the upper reaches of the
Columbia and Kootenay. Agricultural land is limited to
the immediate vicinity of these rivers, and much of it is
subject to overflow. Mining operations are being prose-
cuted in several l(x;alities, with good prospects of success,
and large timber limits are being worked in the neighbour-
hood of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The second valley
is that lying between the Purcell and Selkirk Ranges, and
is occupied by the Upper and Lower Kootenay Lakes.

OP British Columbia.

the apex is

oluinbia, the

lenuse is the

le third side

a River and

id by a line

Br-shed of the

ions approxi-

the former

;cess to East

leveral passes

principal are

The former is

the latter, in

deposits have

;ed line, which

rn portion of

otenay Lake.

ver communi-

way and the

n constructed

obson, at the

the Kootenay

alleys formed
Range. The
valley of the
^aches of the
1 is limited to
I much of it is
I being prose-
3ts of success,
bhe neighbour-
second valley
k Ranges, and
otenay Lakes.

Here the chief mineral developments of this region have
been made, and are regarded as the most promising in the
country. Very valuable ledges of copper and lead ores,
carrying a high percentage of silver, besides gold quartz,
have been found, and a town (Nelson) has sprung into
existence in the centre of these discoveries. The third
valley, lying between the Selkirk and Gold Ranges, is
occupied by the second bend of the Columbia River and
the Arrow Lakes, and is at present the chief means of
communication, by steamboat, with the Canadian Pacific
Railway. To the north of the railway lies the region
known as the Big Bend, which once earned a somewhat
short-lived fane as a successful placer mining district.
Gold gravel operations are again being attempted, and rich
silver-lead mines are being worked among the mountains
in the neighbourhood of the railway. Revelstoke, at the
second crossing of the Columbia, is a town of growing
importance, as are also Golden and Donald, on the eastern
side of the Selkirk Range.

Yale.

Yale District is a rectilineal section of country, west of
Kootenay, the north and west boundaries of which appear
to have been designed to confonu approximately with the
great right angle made by the Shuswap and Kamloops
Lakes, the Thompson River, and the Caflon of the Fraser.
It comprises an area of 13,500,000 acres, of which, pro-
bably, a larger proportion is of agricultural value than in
any other district. This includes the countries of the
Okanagan, the Nicola, the Similkameen, the Kettle River,
and the Kamloops bunch grass district. Access is now
obtained into the first of these by the Shuswap and
Okanagan Railway, a branch line from the C. P. R. at
Sicamoose, to Vernon, a distance of fifty-four miles. It
is considered the most attractive and promising farming
country in the Province. The railway follows the course

msm

Geographical Sketch

of the Spallumcheen River to Enderby, a distance of
twenty-six miles, where is situated a roller flour mill,
affording facilities for the large wheat farms of the sur-
rounding country ; thence twenty-eight miles to Vernon, on
the north-east side of Okanagan Lake. The lake is 75
miles long, and suri-ounded by the finest land. '

The Nicola is approaclied from Kamloops by a good
waggon road. It is a stock-raising district of considerable
capacity, and has also of late years been the scene of
energetic mining operations. Pyriteous gold-bearing ores
have been discovered and worked at Stump Lake, and
Granite Creek to the south is the site of a recent placer
excitement. Iron and coal abound, also, in the Nicola
country.

The Similkameen District is entered by a trail from
Hope on the Lower Fraser, but as this involves crossing
the Hope Mountains at a high elevation it has become
of less importance since the country has been opened to
the north and good communication afforded from that
direction. It is chiefly a grazing district, occupied by large
cattle runs. Further east, the Rock Creek mines are
situated on a branch of the Kettle River. There are gold
hydraulic works and argentiferous galena mines at this
point, both of which, it is understood, are doing well.
The Kettle River flows through the Grand Prairie — a good
farming country north of the boundary.

To the north again the Cherry Creek mines are being
developed, and in the immediate neighbourhood of Hope
silver ores have been found in what promise to be paying
quantities.

Kamloops, the principal town in Yale District, is situated
at the confluence of the North and South Thompson
Rivers, about seven miles above the head of the lake of

' the same name. It is in the centre of a grazing country

■ of extensive area.

distance of
flour mill,
of the sur-
Vernon, on
lake is 75

by a good

considerable

the scene of

-bearing ores

|p Lake, and

;'ecent placer

1 the Nicola

a trail from

ilves crossing
has become

n opened to
td from that
ipied by large
k mines are
here are gold
nines at this

doing well,
iirie — a good

les are being
xtd of Hope
to be paying

2t, is situated

1 Thompson

the lake of

;ing countiy

OF British Columbia.

The western border of the district includes that part of
the Coast Range through which the Fraser passes on its
way to the sea. The river rushes through a deep delile,
the sides of which have in many places been cut into gravel
benches at an earlier period of its history. These beaches
were the scene of the gold washing excitement of 1 858 and
the following years. At other points the rocky cliffs of
the enclosing mountains I'ise abruptly from the water's
edge without any shore. Round these precipices the
engineei's of the C. P. R. had to excavate its road-bed, a
work of great difficulty and danger, in which several lives
were lost. The Cariboo waggon road, which preceded the
railway by nearly thirty years, also scales the face of these
cliffs, and still testifies to the energy of its builders though
no longer in regular use.

The Fraser passes out of the caiion at Yale, the head of
navigation and starting point of the Cariboo stage, but
since railway construction fallen into decay. Thence tb
Hope the valley is continually widening and assuming that
character of an open farming land which lower down it
more markedly presents. A few miles below Hope the
boundary of the district is crossed.

Lillooet.

This district, comprising an area of 12,500,000 acres,
lies to the north of the last as far as lat. 52' and extends
west to long. 124\ It contains, thcM'efore, a large propor-
tion of the interior plateau, but f ; on the whole the region
is drier than that to the south of the railway from the
lofty Coast Range more effectually intercepting the moist
winds, irrigation has more to be depended upon. The soil
is almost everywhere very rich, .and there are a compara-
tively large numbei' of excellent farming and stock-raising
tracts. Of these, the Bonaparte River Valley, Lake La
Hache, the Anderson and Seton Lakes, and the Valley of
the N. Thoinpson contain, perhaps, the best farms. Vege-

Geographical Skbtcu

tables, fruit, and grain are grown with great success ;
indeed the production at present can easily outstrip local
consumption. Access is gained by the Cariboo waggon-
road, which traverses the centre of the district from south
to north ; the N. Thompson trail, from Kamloops to the
headwaters of the Fraser ; and the old Cariboo road, lead-
ing by a chain of lakes from the Lower Fraser to Lillooet.

There is a considerable population of stock rancliers and
*armers, who do well, but freight without a railway is
necessarily expensive, and the growth of the country is
thereby much retarded. When the proposed Cariboo
railway is constructed there can be little doubt this valuable
district will be greatly developed.

Tn mineral wealth enterprise has been so far confined to
some excellent gold quartz ledges, which are being worked
in the neighbourhood of Lillooet. The ore, which is free
milling gold, is said to average from 820 to $60 per ton.
Gold washing is also prosecuted on the river banohes,
chiefly by Chinese, who appear to reap a steady harvest of
the precious metal.

The Fraser in its course through the district is not
navigable, except by canoes. Grain is, however, in this
way transported down the river from Lillo<jet to Lytton, at
the junction with the Thompson, the canoes being hauled
up again by Indians

Lillooet, the chief settlement, which was a place of much
greater importance before the Yale and Clinton section of
the Cariboo road was constructed, is 862 feet above sea
level on the bank of the Fraser. Beans, melons, tomatoes,
and grapes caii be grown well here.

Westminster District.

This large district, containing some 36,000,000 acres of
land, is practicably divisible into two, the southern portion
comprising the delta of the Fraser and the coast line up to
the head of Jarvis Inlet, lat. 51°. 20", and the northern a

OP British Columbia.

'at success;
tstrip local
'oo waggon-
from south
'ps to the
road, lead-
to Lillooet.
nchers and
railway is
country is
ed Cariboo
his valuable

confined to
ling worked
hich is free
>0 per ton.
er banohes,
'■ harvest of

rict is not

■er, in this

Lytton, at

ng hiiuled

36 of much
section of
above sea
tomatoes,

acres of
•n portion
line up to
orthern a

vast triangle of territory between lat. 54° and long. 124°,
bounded by the coast, and including the many large islands
adjacent.

The Fraser lands and delta are the seat of some of the
most important industries of the Province. Farming,
lumbering, and salmon canning are prosecuted with energy
and success. Much rich alluvial land is being yearly
reclaimed, and a comparatively dense population is gather-
ing together both in the cities of New Westminster and
Vancouver and the neighbouring municipalities. The first
of these cities, fifteen miles from the mouth of the Fraser,
was the original capital of British Columbia before its
union with the Island of Vancouver, and though for many
years after the seat of government had been transferred to
Victoria it remained stationary, it has recently developed
into a well built and handsome town, with a rapidly
increasing community. The growth of Vancouver City is
now a mutter of history. Since its foundation as the
terminus of the CP. R. in IHSo it has sprung into a city of
some 14,000 inhabitants, earnest of a far greater develop-
ment in the near future. It occupies a beautiful position
on Burrard Inlet and tlie Straits of Georgia, and has every
advantage that a fine harbour can att'ord.

Lulu and Sea Islands, at the mouth of the Fraser, and
the Delta Municipality to the south, contain lands of
phenomenal richness which, whenever drained, return a
handsome profit to their cultivators. Furth(>r up the river
the Mats(|ui and Sumas prairies have been successfully
dyked, and the Pitt River meadows are now undergoing a
like reclamation. These delta lands may be said to be the
only extensive ai-eas of level agricultural country west of
the Coast Range.

At Mission City, forty-three miles from the Coast, a
branch line — the Westminster Southern Railway — crosses
the river and affords direct communication v/ith the cities
of Washington State, U. S. A.

ill

Geographical Sketch

The great triangle to which reference has been made as
forming the northern portion of Westminster District
presents hardly any features which have not been hitherto
described in speaking of other parts similarly situated. In
the interior, east of the Coast Range we find a district
exhibiting characteristics identical to those of Yale and
Lillooet. There are the same rolling table-lands, the same
enclosed lakes with wooded shores or open meadows, the
' same numerous water-courses. Much of this land is con-
secjuently of no inconsider.able value, but owing to the ex-
treme difficulty in the way of communication .and freight
transport, it is only of recent years that any attention has
been drawn to it : indeed it may be said to have been
practically an unknown region. Travel led along the left
bank of the Fraser, diverging eastwards into the wealthy
mining district of Cariboo, or from the coast to the far
north, across by the Skeena Forks and Babine Lakes to the
mountains of Omineca. Access from the west was hardly
possible owing to the rugged and precipitous mountains
which on all sides hemmed in the inlets of the coast.
Nevertheless somewhat glowing reports were from time to
time brought down by miners and traders who from some
chance or other had found their way across this region.
In 1890 the present Government took steps to verify these
reports by sending an experienced surveyor, Mr. A. L.
Poudrier, who has thorouglily explored and mapped out
the district. This year (1891) the same gentleman started
in the early spring with the object of discovering a more
feasible route from the coast than those which had been
hitlierto attempted. His efforts were rewarded by finding
a pass from tJie head of Gardener's Inlet by which the
interior could be reached in something like a three days'

journey. The full account of these more recent explora-
tions has still to be published.

The mountains of the coast for the most part run near
to the sea, and not much land can be found suitable for

een made as
3ter District
jeen hitherto
situated. In
nd a district
of Yale and
ds, the same
leadows, the
and is con-
ig to the ex-
and freight
ttention has
1 have been
long the left
the wealthy
t to the far
Lakes to the
it was hardly
IS mountains
)f the coast,
from time to
) from some
this region,
verify these
Mr. A. L.
mapped out
mi an started
3ring a more
h had been
d by finding
i which the
three days'
jnt explora-

rt run near
suitable for

OF British Columbia.

farming, except in small areas detached and difficult of
access. It is therefore best adapted for isolated settle-
ments, such as are occupied by logging camps, fishing
villaj^es, and canneries. The climate, as has been men-
tioned, becomes more humid and the rainfall greater as the
northern boundary is approached. ,' •

Cariboo

Contains 59,250,000 acres. This district, which lies
between lat. 52' and 60, and Ion. 120^ and 124' — the lower
eastern boundary line from lat. 59° being extended along
the main watershed of the Rockies to long. 118 — may be
considered as comprising a Pacific and an Arctic slope.

The Pacific slope, or surface which drains int<j the
Pacific Ocean, is covered with broken mountain ranges,
the northernmost masses of the Selkirks, here called the
Cariboo Mountains. West of the Fraser and north of the
Chilcotin there is a fine country watered by the Black-
water and the Nechaco i-ivers, containing much land suit-
able for agricultural purposes. This may be said to be the
only extensive farming area in the Pacific portion of
Cariboo. It is shut in to the north by the highlands
forming the Pacific Arctic watershed. To the east of the
Fraser, though there is a limited extent of g<X)d bench-
land in the immediate neighbourhood of the river and
some of the lakes, the district is pi-e-eminently a mining one,
and can only be expected to support a large population by
its mineral development. In the past this has nt)t been
inconsiderable, some fifteen million dollars worth of gold
having been washed out of the placer claims in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of Barkerville. Seeing that the entire
area of these claims is not more than a few miles in extent,
the gold field of Cariboo ranks for its size as one of the
richest that has ever been discovered. At the present
time the industry languishes, since the most profitable
placers have been exhausted, and the era of quartz mining
is retarded for want of railway communication.

Geographical Sketch

The country may be brieHy described as a tract of
mountains and table-land, three-fourths of which is pro-
bably over 3,000 feet above sea level. Little forest grows
above this height east of a line drawn from the middle of
Quesnelle Lake to the head of Swift River which marks
the contact of Mesozoic rocks with the auriferous schists
of the Selkirks. Timber is therefore found only in de-
tached clumps and in sheltered situations. Westward the
surface of the country is smooth and pleasing. Snow lies
over the greater part for four months in the year, and
Quesnelle Lake is frozen up from November to March.
East of the Bear Ltike valley the mountain tops are
rugged, the line of perpetual snow being between 7,000
and S,000 feet above sea level. (Bowman, Geol. Sur.)

^n complete crmtrast to this country, though further
north and upon the Arctic slope, is that of the Peace
River and her tributaries. It has been described as " a
magnificent agricultuial and pastoral country," {Sehct/n),
and again as " a very tine country where the excellent soil
and large tracts of land facing south otiei" great facilities
for fnrniijig" {Horptsky).

Although ten degrees north of Ottawa, and 1,900 feet
above sea level, in October the minimum thermometei'
registered 46°, the grass was (juite green, and very tine
cauliflowers were growing uninjured by frost. Potat(jes,
turnips, and barley were found in perfection. On the east
and west bends of the rivers large tracts of natural prairie
exist with southern exposure. In this district, between the
Parsnip and Pine Rivers, "the Rocky Mountains exist
only as a broad undulating and hilly watershed " (Sehryn).
The country in climate and fertility would probably conj-
pare very favourably with Poland and the adjacent
provinces of Russia.

Oassiar.

What little can be said about the district of Cassiar has
been already stated in describing the geneial features of

OF British Columhia.

as a tract of

which is pro-
e forest grows

the middle of
which marks
-iferous schists

d only in de-
Westward the
ig. 8now lies
the year, and
her to March,
ntain tops are
between 7,000
Geol. Sur.)

thougli further
of the Peace
est ribed as " a
try," {Sfhvi/n),
e excellent soil
great facilities

and 1,900 feet
1 thermometer
1, and very tine
•ost. Potatoes,
1. On the east
natural pi-airie
ct, between the
ountains exist
hed " {Sphryn).
probably com-
the adjacent

of Cassiar has
lal features of

the Province. The greater part is still unexplored, and
there is probably not much reastm for some time to come
that it should be investigated, except by gold-sefkers and
trappers. That it will ever form an inducement to the
general settler is doubtful, certainly not so long as the
more fertile and milder regions to the south still remain
unoccupied. Population will gather along the fertile
Vjenches of the Stikeen, drawn thither by the canning and
lund)ering industries at the mouth, and with an increase
in population roads and facilities of communication will
proportionately increase. An impetus in this direction
"ill proljably be given by the prr>jected Crofter emigration
ich has recently been set on foot. Tt must be i-emem-
..d that for the sturdy races of northern Scotland, Tee-
land and Scandinavia, wh<t are accustomed to a sea coast
life, the hardships to be encounteied in this country are
probably much less than those they endure at home, and
the prospects of .securing a competency much greater.
Indeed the severities of climate are hardly to be compared
with those met with in the North-West Territories of the
Dominion, and only appeal' forV)idding from comparison
with the easy life and genial climate which generally pre-
vail on the Pacific Coast. The lot of the native Indian
races is here far happier than what falls to the share of
many a peasant in northern Euiope, and it can hai'dly be
doubted an e.xchauge would readily be effected were
facilities afforded to men of the latter class. Tn no
countiv is the native pt)pulation .so prosperous or con-
tented ; and when we find Indians able to accumulate sums
of money which would indeed ippear fortunes to the
agricultural labourer of England, we cannot wonder at the
steady transference of interests from Atlantic to Pacific
shores.

Vancouver and Other Islands.

The submerged mountain range which lies to the west
of the mainland, is represented by an archipelago of islands

Geographical Sketch

great and small, the most prominent being Vancouver and
the Queen Charlotte Islands. Of the others it may be
briefly stated that they reproduce in miniature all the
physical features of the larger group.

Vancouver Island occupies greater prominence than it
would otherwise have done ha<i it not been for two circum-
stances, one that the capital of British ColumVjia is situated
upon it, the other that coal has been discovered and
worked very extensively. The former is perhaps rather
the effect "han the cause of the wholesale trade of the
Province centreing in Victoria. The Hudson Bay Com-
pany, driven from its post — Fort Vancouver — on the
Columl)ia River, by the Ashburton Treaty, which ceded
the Puget Sound districts to the United States, chose
Victoria as the seat of its chief trading station and port of
entry. From this time the city became of first impoj-tance
as an entrepot for English ti-ade with the interior of the
Province, and, stimulated by the wealth derived during the
gold excitement, it assumed a position which it has never
yielded.

The island may be desci-ibed gpologically as a group of
upturned gneissic rocks, embracing certain teiliary areas
and worn down by glacial action, so that in one place ex-
tensive gravel moraines, in another beds of boulder clay,
are" to be found, while in a third regular serie' of late
sandstones alternate with the liarren clitls of trap. Upon
such unpromising surface, generati<tns of tii- trees have
flourished, and by their decay have gradually deposited a
mould of increasing thickness sufficient to provide suitable
ground ff»r other forms of vegetation, until the country has
become covered with a dense growth of timber varying
according to its situation and adaptability to the wants of
each particular kind. Thus, upon the ridges the pines and
many species of undergrowth have held their own, best
suited to a moderate degree of moisture and the rocky
subsoil. I^pon the bouldei- day, alder, ))iiplar, and willow

'Vancouver and
ers it may be
iature all the

inence than it

or two circum-

bia is situated

iscovered and

erhaps rather

trade of the

son Bay Com-

)uver — on the

which ceded

States, chose

on and port of

irst importance

interior of the

Aed dunn<( the

h it has never

■ as a ((roup of
tertiary areas
I one phice ex-
: boulder clay,
series of late
if trap. l'^p(»n
hr trees have
Ily deposited a
re » vide suitable
;he country has
;iniber varyinf^
o the wants f)f
s the pines and
heir own, best
and the rocky
ar, and willow

OF British Columbia.

have contended successfully against the larger trees, and
where the gravel has afforded insufficient moisturt for the
conifers, the hardy but more slow growing oaks, which had
no chance for existence in the dense pine forests, have
gained a foot-hold, and stud level plains clothed with
native grass. Maples api)ear to have succeeded in some
places the burnt out pines; indeed in time much the
same sequence of soft and hard timber might bo expected on
this coast as is known to have occurred on that of the
Atlantic, where firs, oaks, and beeches have followed in
successive order.

Victoria is situated on gently rising ground facing the
south and west, and lying on a narrow inlet, which pro-
vides a harbour for all vessels except of the largest size.
For these a wharf has been recently constructed outside
the entrance, and the adjacent harbour of Esquimalt
secuj'es ample additional anchorage both for merchant
vessels and those of the Royal Navy, whose station and
naval yards are there located. The greater part of the
townsite and neighbouring grourul is upon x gravelly soil,
consequently oak trees are a prominent feature in the
landscape. There is much good farisiing land in the
vicinity, especially upon the Saanioh Peninsula which
trends to the north. A u rife "ous gravels have been worked
in the neighbourh(K)d of 8ooke, about twenty-five miles
distant on the .southern extremity of the island, but with
inconsideraVile results. Iron ore has been discovered in
the same locality in what promises to be profitable
(juantity. Victori^i is connected l)y the Island Railway
with the coal fields of Xanaimo. Here and at Wellington,
about five miles distant, are collieries which now supply
the chief nuneral export of the Province. The railway
passes through the centre of Cowichan District, an exten-
sive farming country where there are several thriving
settlements. Fui'ther north on the east coast is the valley
of Coniox, the finest agricultural district on the island.

™

Geographical Sketch

and centre of another coal field of great extent which has
only recently been developed. The product of the Union
Mines at Comox is shipped from wharves situated on the
harbour. To the north again lies a region little known
except for its timber. On the west coast the principal
settlement is Alberni, on a long narrow inlet known as the
Alberni canal, and surrounded by good farming land. On
the east coast lie many islands, the largest of which is Salt
Spring. These islands are chiefly occupied by small farms
and sheep ranches. In the interior of Cowichan District
is the lake of the same name, on the shores of which is a
dense growth of magnificent timber, and which is the site
of an important lumbering industry. Little is known of
the interior of the island except that there are some lofty
mountains and elevated plateaus of grass land, which have
hitherto not been rendered available by communication
with the coast.

Queen Charlotte Islands.

These islands are at present chiefly the abode of an Indian
tribe, the Hidahs. There is a Hudson Bay post at Masset
on the north, and an oil curing factory has been estab-
lished at Skidbgate on the north-ejist corner of the channel
which separates the two islands. So far as is known the
land is very similar to that on Vancouver. Coal fields
have been discovered but not yet worked, and a gold reef
at the southern extremity, which for a time promised well,
had to be abandoned, as it was found to dip below sea
level. This reef contributed the first gold discovery in
British Columbia.

The islands lying between the northein extremity of Van-
couver Island and the Mainland are only inhabited by
Indian tribes, and little is known of their capabilities.
Texada Island, opposite Comox, is highly mineralized; gold
quartz has been prospected, but hitherto not profitably

OF British Columbia.

ent which has

of the Union

ituated on the

a little known

b the principal

it known as the

aing land. On

)f which is Salt

by small farms

vrichan District

of which is a

aich is the site

ie is known of

are some lofty

md, which have

communication

S-

lode of an Indian
r post at Masset
lias been estab-
r of the channel
i is known the
er. Coal tields
and a gold reef
e promised well,
) dip below sea
old discovery in

xtremity of Van-
ly inhabited by
leir capabilities,
nineralized; gold
o not profitably

worked, and iron ore of excellent quality is being regularly
shipped to a smelter in the United States. There can be
little doubt that further investigations will demonstrate
both the existence of profitable mines and of more agricul-
tural land suitable for settlement on these islands.

British Columbia.

AN ALPHABETICAL LIST

OF THE

PRINCIPAL TOWNS, SFTTLEMENTS, ETC.,

IXDICATED ON

THE MAP, WITH BRIEF NOTES.
o

Abbreviations.

R. S. — Railway Station.
Sch. — Government School.
H. B. C— Hudson Bay Co.

R. — River.

L. — Lake.

P. 0.— Post Office.

AoASSiz. — Westminster District. R. S. P. O. 72 miles from
coast. Agricultural Settlement. Dominion experimental farm.
Fine level farming land between Harrison Lake and Eraser
River. Stage from here to Harrison Hot Springs daily.

Albkrni. — Alberni Dist., V. I. Situate on the West Coast of the
Island, on the shore of long narrow inlet known as the Alherni
Canal. Agricultural settlement, (iood lantl. Vallev 20 miles
hy (5 miles. Pass across to E. coast, 32 miles. Monthly steam
service with Victoria, UiH miles. Sch. P. O.

Albert Canyon. — West Kootenay. R. S. On Illecillewaet River,
near junction of N. and S. Forks. Waggon road to Silver mines
on N. Fork. Mining camp.

Ai.OERijROVE. — Westminster District. South of Langley to Bound-
ary. Agricultural settlement. Goml land. Sch. P. O.

Alexandria. — Cariboo District. P. O. On Fraser River and
CarilxM) Waggon Road. 180 miles from Ashcroft. Farming Settl.

AiNswoFTH. — West Kootenav District. On west shore of Kootenay
Lake. Mining camp. P.O. Steamboat connects with Nelson
and Unitt'd States. This is the centre for the group of rich
silver-bearing mines known as the Hot Springs Camp.

AsncRoi'T. -Yale District. On South Thompson. R. S. 207 miles
from coast. 1 ,075 feet above sea. Stock rancliing. Junction
of CarilKK) road with C. P. R. Sch. P. 0.

BALForR. — West Kootenay. On east side of Kootenay Lake.
Mining and logging camp. Connected by steamer with Nelson
and United States.

■91

Geographical Sketch

Barkebville. — Cariboo District. Terminus of Cariboo Waggon
Road. 285 miles from Ashcroft. Placer, hydraulic, and gold
quartz mining. Government Offices and Court House. Weekly
mail. 8ch.

Beaver. — East Kootenay District. R. S. 446 miles from coast.
Large saw-mills and logging camp. Sch. P. 0.

Bentinck Arm. — Westminster District. Inlet on West Coast.
Whence trail to interior.

BuRRARi) Inlet. — Westminster District. A large inlet running
mainly E. and W. , 12 miles. A harbour to the City of Van-
couver. The peninsula to the S. is known as the Burrard
Inlet peninsula, and has long been famous for the extraordinary
growth of forest trees. The mountains to the N. are the homo
of the mountain goat, and abound in game.

Cache Creek. — Yale District. On Cariboo road, 6 miles from
Ashcroft. Centre point for Bonaparte Valley. Excellent
farming and stock raising. Sch. P. 0.

Canal Flat. — East Kootenav. A low flat of alluvial ground
between the Upper Columbia Lake, the head of the Columbia
River, and the Upper Kootenay River. This flat has been
crossed by tlie Canal of tlie Kootenay Valleys Co., connecting
the two water systems.

Centreville. — Westminster District.
Chilliwhack Municipality. P. O.
district.

South side of Eraser, in
Sch. Centre of farming

Chemainus. — Cowichan District. On East Coast of Vancouver Id.
Good harbour. Large lumber mills. R. S. Farming settle-
ment.

Cheb;ry Creek. — Yale Dist. A creek running into Spallumcheen
River, in the neighbourhood of which silver mines are being
piospected.

Chilootin. — Lillooet and Cariboo Districts. A ranching country
west of the Eraser. Latitude 52'. Communication with Soda
Creek on Cariboo Waggon Road.

Chilliwhack. — Westminster District. A municipality on south
side of Eraser River. 50 miles fron; New Westminster. Daily
steamboat service. Valley 15 miles wide. Good farming and
fruit growing. Sch. P. 0.

Cisco.— Yale District,
office.

Clinton. — Lillooet District. On Cariboo Waggon Road, 32 miles
from Ashcroft. Good farm and fruit lands. Gold quartz. Sch.
P.O.

CoMOX. — A district on north of Vancouver Islaiid, including the
northern half of the Island. The settlement of Comox occupies
a fertile valley 13 miles by 13 miles of open la \d. Good farms.
Fine timber lands. Largest coal fields on Vf.n^ouver I. Union
Coal Mines near Comox Lake. Steamboii, service with Victoria
weekly. Sch. P. 0.

R. S. 143 miles from coast. Telegraph

OP British Columbia.

Cariboo Waggon
draulic, and golc;
House. Weeklr

miles from coast.
O.

on West Coast.

irge inlet running
the City of Van-
as the Burrard
the extraordinary
N. are the. home

ad, 6 miles from
lUey. Excellent

E alluvial ground

of the Columbia

his flat has been

s Co., connecting

jide of Fraser, in
'entre of farming

of Vancouver Id.
Farming settle-

ato Spallumcheen
■ mines are being

ranching country
ication with Soda

jipality on south
stminster. Daily
ood farming and

ioast. Telegraph

1 Road, 32 miles
Jold quartz. Sch.

id, including the
>f Comox occupies
d. Good farms.
:;ouver I. Union
'ioe with Victoria

CowicHAN. — A district on Vancouver Island, including the settle-
ments of Shawnigan, Cobble Hill, MacPherson's, S. Cowichan,
Corfield, Koksilan, Duncan's, Quamichan, Somenos, Shopland,
Cowichan Lake and Chemainus. Traversed by E. and N. Ry.
6 R. S. Good farming and lumbering. Schs. P. O.

Cowichan Lake. — A large lake, the seat of extensive lumber in-
dustry. 24 miles from Duncan's Station, on Island Railway.

CBAi(;ELLA<miE.— Yale District. R. S. C. P. R.

Cranbkook. — West Kootenay District. On Kootenay River. A
farming settlement. P. 0. Communi'^ation by waggon road
from Golden, 120 miles, and 40 miles from Boundary Line.

Crow's Nest Pass. — A pass across the R(x;ky Mountains, 40 miles
north of Boundary, 5,.500 feet above sea. Route of Crow's Xest
Railway to Southern Kootenay. Important seams of coal of
great thickness.

CrsTs House. — H. B. Co. post on Peace River.

Denman Island. — An island off East Coast of Vancouver Island,
opposite Comox. Farming settlement. Sch. P. O.

Donald. — East Kootenay District. On right bank of Columbia R.,
460 miles from coast, 2,o.S0 feet above sea. R. S. and railway
workshops. Court House. Commercial centre of E. Kootenay
mining region. Sch. C. P. R. bridge across Columbia River.

Duck's.— Yale District. R. S. C. P. P. P. 0. Road to Grand
Prairie, 18 miles.

Endekuy. — Yale District. On Spallumcheen River, 20 miles from
Sicamoose. R. S. (m S. & O. Ry. Chief town of Spallumcheen
country. Large flour mills. Fme farming and wheat growing.
Sch.

EsguiMALT. — Esquimau District. Naval Station and fine harbour,
3 miles from Victoria, Vancouver Island. Tramway to Victoria,
R. S., Island Railway, Naval Yard, Dry Dock, Sch. P. O.

FxnwEhh.— Vide Revelstoke.

Field. — East Kootenay District. R. S. 500 miles from coast.
Saw-mill and mining cai'^p. P. 0.

Fort Babine.— Cassiar Distr.ct. Trading station of H. B. C.
fur-trad' ^ and mining centre. On Babine Lake, lat. 55°.
Trail vo Barkerville and Hazelton.

Fort Connelly. —Cassiar District. Trading station of H. B. C.
On Connelly Lake, lat. 56°. Head waters of Skeena River.

Fort Geok(ie. — Cariboo District. At junction of Fraser and Necacho
Rivers. Trading post for H. B. C. Barley, oats, potatoes and
other vegetables grow. Lat. 53° 55'.

Fort Liard. — Cassiar District. A remote fur-trading post of H.
B. C. On Liard River, lat. 59° 55'. The most northern settle-
ment in the Province.

Fort Simpson. — Cassiar District. The Tsimpshean peninsula.
H. B. C. post and steamer wharves. Sch. P. O.

Geographical Sketch

Fort Halkett.— Cossiar District. Trading post of H. B. C. On
Liard River. Lat. 58' 50'.

FoKT St. James. —CiiBsiar District. H. B. C. post. On Stuart L.
Lat. 54° 40'. He^id post of the district. Limited farming —
oats, barlej', and potatoes.

Fort Shepherd. — West Kootenav District. On right bank of
Columbia River, west of Boundary. Custom House. Important
point on projected railwav line into Kootenav from United
States. P. 0.

Gabriola Island. Xanaimo District. An island off Vancouver
Island, opposite City of Nanaimo. 9 miles by 3 miles. (General
farming.

Galiano Island. — A large island off Rost Coast of Vancouver
Island. 15 miles long. Area, 20,000 acres. Good farms.
Steamboat wharf. Biweekly serAice.

Gardiner's Inlet. — An inlet on N. W. Coast, lat. 53° 50', whence
shortest pass into interior.

GiscoME Portage. — Cariboo District. A watershed between the
head waters of the Peace River and the X. bend of the Fiuser.

Glacier. — West Kootcnay District. R. S. 423 miles from coast.
4,122 feet above sea kvel. Goo<l hotel, li miles from the
great glacier of the Selkirks. P. O.

Glexora. — Cassiar District. On Stikeen River, 125 miles from
mouth and 12 miles from head of navigation, Telegraph Creek.

Golden. — East Kootenav District. On right bank of Columbia
River. R. S. Head of steamboat navigation with E. Kootenay
points. Weekly service. Mining centre. Smelter, gold quartz
and silver lead. Sch. P. O.

Grand Prairie. — Yale District. A tine farming district, watered
by the Salmon River to the north of Okanagan Lake. Com-
munication by road from Duck's. R. S. 18 miles. Weekly
stage with Kamlooj)s, Vernon, etc. Sch. P. O.

Grand Prairie. — Yale District. A district watered by the
Kettle River. Ranching and fanning. Sch. P. 0.

Granite Creek. — Yale District. A gold placer mining district, S.
of the Xicola country.

Griffin. — Yale District. R. S. On lake of same name. Situate
on summit of Gold Range.

Grohman. — West Kootenay. A settlement on Canal Flat.

Hall's Prairie. — Westminster District. An agricultural settle-
ment X. of Bouiulary. 18 miles bv stage from New West-
minster. R. S. Sch. P. O.

Harrison Hot Sprincjs. — Westminster District. On Harrison
Lake. 5 miles by waggon road from Agassiz. Hot sulphur
springs. Large hotel. Lake 40 miles long. P. 0.

Hastings. — Westminster District. On Burrard Inlet. 5 miles from
Vancouver. P. 0.

[W ,'

OP British Columbia.

of H. B. C. On

On Stuart L.
mited farming —

n riglit bank of
ouse. Important
lay from United

d off Vancouver
3 miles. General

ist of Vancouver
Good farms.

t. 53° 50', whence

•slied between the
lid of the Fiiiser.

miles from coast,
i miles from the

, 125 miles from
Telegraph Creek.

tank of Columl)ia
with E. Kootenay
lelter, gold quartz

district, watered
gan Lake. Com-
i miles. Weekly

watered by the
P. O.

iiining district, S.

e name. Situate

mal P'lat.

[ricultural settle-
Tom New West-

;. On Harrison
iz. Hot sulphur
P. 0.

let. 5 miles from

Hazelton. — Cassiar District. A trading post of the H. B. C, at
the head of navigation of the Skeena River. 90 miles from sea.
Distributing centre for the Omineca mining district.

Howe Sound. — A large inlet north of Burrard Inlet, at the head of
which is a considerable farming area watered V)y the Squamish
River. Communication by boat with Vancouver. Sch.

IIjLECILLEWAet. — West Kootenay District. R. S. 407 miles from
coast. Mining town. Silver-lead and copper ores. P. 0.

Kamloops. — Yale District. R. S. 252 miles from coast. On con-
fluence of N. and S. Thompson Rivers. Chief interior town
of B. C. Cattle ranching. Head of communication with Xicola
country, Sch. P. O.

Keeper's. — Yale District. R. S. 143 miles from coast.

Kebemeos. — Yale District. At head of Similkameen Valley. Good
farms. Flour-mill. Sch. P. O.

Kicking Horse Pass. — The pass used by C. P. R. across the
Rockies. 5,300 feet above the sea.

KiLLARNEY. — Wcst Kooteuay District. On west shore of Lower
Arrow Lake and on main rosvd, and projected railway between
Kootenay and Okanagan Districts. Communication bj- steam-
boat witn Revelstoke and Robson.

Ladneb's LANDixfi. — Westminster District. On delta of Fraser,
left bank of river. Chief centre of the Delta Municipality.
Large salmon canneries. Good farming district. 1 2 miles from
New Westminster. Daily steamlwat service. P. O.

Lac La H.jche. — Lillooet District. A cattle and agricultural
settlement on Cariljoo waggon road, KRt miles fif)m Aslicroft.
Fine farms and beautiful country. Lake 1 1 nnles long. Weekly
stage and mails.

Laketon. — Cassiar District. On Dease Lake. Lat. 58' 20'. The
principal centre for Cassiar trade. Reached by trail from
Telegraph Creek, head of steam navigation of Stikeen River.
L^istance, H2 miles.

Lansdowxe. — Yale District. In Spallumcheen Valley. R. S. 31
miles from Sicamoose, on S. and O. Ry. P. O.

Lanoley.— Westminster District. On left bank of Fraser. A
Municipality. 17 miles from New Westminster. Good land.
At Fort Langley is the oldest H. B. C. ilepot on the Pacific
coast. Steamboat landing. Daily service. Salmon and Langley
prairies in this ilistrict are fine agricultural tracts. Fruit,
peaches, grapes, &c. Sch. P. 0.

Lillooet. — Lillooet District. On right bank of Fraser, 50 miles
from Ashcroft by stage. Valley 6 miles by 4 miles. Good land.
Suspension bridge across Fraser. Formerly head of Lillooet-
Cariboo road. P. O.

Lulu Island. — Westminster District. A large alluvial island, com-
prising, with Sea Island, 30,000 acres. Excellent land. Formed
mto a Municipality, under the name of "Richmond." Good

42 Oeographical Sketch

farms and large canneries. Daily steamboat communication
with New Westminster, and road across North Arm of Praser
to Vancouver — 8 miles.

from coast. At con-
Large Indian village.

i?;ii

l!: i

Lytton. — Yale District. R. S. 156 miles
fluenue of Fraser and Thompson Rivers.
P. O and telegraph.

Malsett. — Queen Charlotte Islands. Chief settlement and H. B. C.
po'jt. On Massett Sound, north coast of Grahame Island.
Harbour at which northern steamers call periodically. Populous
Indian village.

Matsqui. — Westminster District. Agricultural district on Fraser.
A large prairie, which has been recently dyked successfully on
south side of Fraser River, opposite Mission City. Centre of
district, Abbottsford. P. 0.

Mayse Island. — Islands District. An island off East Coast of
Vancouver Island. Steamers call daily at Plumper's Pass.
Goo<l small farms.

Metlakahtla. — Cassiar District. A large Indian village on Tsimp-
shean peninsula, N. W. Coast.

Mission City. — Westminster District. R. S. On junction of C. P. R.
with N. W. & S. Centre for Burton's Prairie and surrounding
agricultural districts. Bridge across Fraser River. Sch. P. 0.

Moresby Island. — Small island off E. C'jast of Vancouver Island,
on route of Mainland steamers.

Moresby Island. — Queen Charlotte Islands. Tlie southern island
of this group. Separated from Grahame Island by Skidegate
Channel, on which Skidegate is situated, a large Indian settle-
ment and seat of extensive fisli oil manufactory.

Nanaimo. — An electoral district on coast of Vancouver Island, con-
taining several important agricultural settlements. Nanaimo
City is the chief port and centre of extensive coal fields, and
terminus of the Island Railway. Large mining population.
Sch. P. O.

Nei^on. — West Kootenay District. On south of Kootenay Lake.
Chief centre of Kootenay Lake mining district. Communi-
cation by steamer with United States, and by steam and rail
from Robson with C. P. R. at Revelstoke. In the immediate
vicinitv is Toad Mountain and the famous silver mine — The
Silver King, Sch. P. 0.

Nelson Island. — An island in the Straits of Georgia, from which
granite is extracted in large quantities.

New We.stminster. — Chief city of the Fraser district and originally
capital of British Columbia. On Fraser River, right banlc. 15
miles from the coast. R. S. on branch line connecting at New
Westminster junction C. P. R. 12 miles by road to Van-
couver City. Daily trains east, and boats to Victoria. Pro-
vincial Gaol, Lunatic Asylum, Court House, Dominion Land
OfHce, Public Park, Electric Tramway, and goo<l roads in all
directions. Large lumber mills and caimeries. Many other
industries.

communication
Arm of Fraser

:oa8t. At con-
Indian village.

int and H. B. C.
rahame Island,
zally. Populous

itrict on Fraser.

successfully on

ity. Centre of

East Coast of
'lumper's Pass.

illage on Tsimp-

nction of C. P. R.
md surrounding
er. Sch. P.O.

mcouver Island,

southern island
d by Skidegate
Lje Indian settle-

iver Island, con-
nita. Nanaimo
coal fields, and
ing population.

vootenay Lake.
ict. Commimi-
steam and rail
the immediate
Iver mine — The

ia, from which

;t and originally
right banlc. 15
necting at New
.' road to Van-
V^ictoria. Pro-
Oominion Land
o<l roads in all
Many other

OP BniTisH Columbia.

Nicola. — Yale District. An extensive valley, HO miles from Kam-
loops by road. Includes several adjtvcent aettlomeuts : — Lower
Nicola, Coutlies, Nicola Lake, Quilchena, anil Rockford.
Weekly mails. Farming and mining. Sch. P. O.

NicoMEN Island. — An island on the Fraser, opposite Chilliwhack.

North Bend. — Yalb District. R. S. and macliine shops C. P. R.
129 miles from Coast. Good hotel and C. P. R. dining -nwm.
In the imme<liate neighl>ourhood, Boston Bar and Yankee Flat
once famous gold benches.

Omineca. — Cassiar District. A gold mining district on the Omineca
River, a tributary of the Peace River. Once the scene of a
great placer excitement. Communication by trail with Hazel-
ton, whence supplies are chiefly obtained. A scattered milling
population.

Osovoos. — Yale District. A lake and valley south of the Okanagan
Lake, and just north of Boundary. The lowest lake in the
interior, 70() feet above sen level. Stock ranclies. Communi-
cation by steamer on Okanagan Lake and roail with S. & O. Ry.
160 miles from Sicamoose.

Pavilion. — Lillooet District. 41 miles from Ashcroft. Between
Lillooet and Clinton. Good farms. P. O.

Peace River Pass. —Cariboo District. 2,000 feet above sea level.

Pine River Pass. — Cariboo District. 2,8.j0 fest above sea level.

Pender Island. — Islands District. An island off East coast of
Vancouver Island. Farming and sheep. Steamboat communi-
cation with Victoria and New Westminster.

PENTitrroN. — Yale District. S. end of Okanagan Lake. Centre of
hunting district. Steamboat communication with Vernon and
S. & O. Ry. 135 miles to Sicamoose. Liirge stock farms.

Plumper's Pass. Islands District. A narrow thtinnel l)etwcen
Galiano and Mayne Islands on the route between V'icturiu and
the Maiidand. Steamboat wliarves on l)oth sides. Daily
mails.

Sal.\ion Arm, — Yale District. R. S. On Shuswap Lake, at mouth
of Salmon River. Goo<l land.

Saanich. — Victoria District. North and South Siuinich. Agricul-
tural settlements on a peninsula north of Victoria. About
40,000 acres in extent. Good farming land. Wharf. Flour
mills. Sch. P. 0.

Rogers' Pass. — Kootenay District. R. S. on summit of Selkirks.
427 miles from coast.

RoBSON. — West Kootenay. On right bank of Kootenay River.
Terminus of branch line from Nelson, and junction witli steam-
boat navigation to Revelstoke. P. O. R. S.

Rock Creek. — Yale District. A gold quartz and placer mine
camp, South of Okanagan Lake.

^J^^

i; 4

II ' m

•ill

Geo(3Raphical Sketch

RicHKiEMJ. — Cariboo District,
seat of (foveriunent offices.

Kouth of Barkerville. Original

Reveustoke.— West Kooteiiay District. On left Imnk of Coluni))ia
River. R. S. 381 miles from Coast. 1,475 feet above sea
level. The Coliiml>ia is here crossed by the railway. The
townsite was oriuinallj' called Farwell. Head of 8tean)er
navigation with \\ est Kootenav and IJ. S. Service regularly
to Robson and intermediate points. Sc!i. 1*. O.

QrEHXEM.EMOUTH. — Cariboo District. At conHuenee of Quesnelle
and Fraser Rivers. 22') miles from Ashcroft on Cariboo road.
H. H. Co. post. Kainis, gold washing. I'. ().

Pkevcwt I.SI.ANI). — Islands District. Small island off Kast Coast
of Vancouver Island. Oame preserve.

Port Hammond. — Wstminster District. On right bank of Fraser.
R. S. 24 miles fiom Coast. Centre of Maple Ridge Munici-
palitv. ({(M)d farming and fruit growing. The Pitt River
mea(iow8, 30,(K)() acres of Hat swampy land, are being drained
and dyked. P. O.

Port Haney.— Westminster District. On right bank of Fiaser.
R. S. 2(i miles from Coast. Large brickyards. Fruit grow-
ing. Salmon freezing. Sch. P. O.

Port Moody. — Westminster District. Head of Burrard Inlet. 12
miles from Coast. R. S. Sch. P. O.

Port I<]ssin(!Ton. — Cassiar District, (hi Skeeiui River. 8 miles
from Coast. H. B. Co. post and settlement. Sch. P. O.

Salt Sprixu Island. — Islands District. I^irgest island in the

district. .W miles from Victoi-ia. Steaml)oat service (m

Xanaimo- Victoria I'oute. Sliecp ranclies and mixed farming.

Several settlements, of which the ciiief are Vesuvius Bay and

• Burgoyne Bay. Sch. at both, and steamboat wharf. P. ().

San JtAN. — U. S. A. A large island in Stiaits of (Jeorgia off
East Coast of Vancouver Island. This island, which was
claimed by British (tovernment, was awarded by arbitration of
German Kmperor to U. S., thus deteiinining the main channel
of the Straits and Boundary line.

Savoxa. — Yale District. On Kamloops Lake at outlet. R. S.
227 miles from coast. Stock ranches. R. O.

Satprna Island. — An island off Kast Coast of Vancouver Island,
South of Mayne Island. Sheep farms.

Seymour Narrows. — A narrow channel separating the North-
East corner of Vancouver Island from V^aldez IslaiKl. 300
yards wide.

Shawnioan. — Cowichan District. A lake and settlement on E. &
\. Ry. 28 miles nortli of Victoria. R. S. Lumber mill.
P.O.'

SnrswAP. — Yale District. R. S. 275 miles from Coast. On South
shore of Lake. Sch. Agricultural settlement. P. 0.

rville. Origiiml

)ank of Ouluiiibia
r> feet aI)ove sea
le railway. The
fead of steamer
Servic'j regularly
O.

nee of yuesiielle
)i» C'aril)o() road.

il off Kast Coast

t hank of Fiaser.

e Ridge Munici-

The Pitt River

are being drained

hank of Fjuser.
d8. Fruit grow-

urrard Inlet. 12

River. 8 miles
Sch. P. 0.

8t iHland in the
ilioat service on
[ mixed farming,
r^esuvius Bav and
wharf. P. b.

ta of (Jeorgia off

land, which was

hy arbitration of

the main channel

it outlet. R. S.

i^ancouver Island,

iting the North-
Idez Island. 300

itlement on E. &
i. Lumber mill.

Coast. On South
it. P. O.

OF Bkitisii Columbia.

SiCAMooflE. — Yale District. At junction of Spivllumcheen R. with
Shuswap L. R. S. C. P. R. and S. & O. Ry. 327 miles from
Coast. P. 0.

SooKE. — Rsquimalt District. A farming settlement on South
phore of Vancouver Island. 23 miles from Victoria. Mails
weekly. P. 0.

R. S. 178 from Coast. Rch.

Shence's Bbidoe.— Yale District.
P. 0.

Stkve8T«n. — 'A'dsttninster District. On Lulu Island, near Fraser
mouth. Wliarf. Steamboat conununication daily with Vic-
toria and New Westminster. Stages daily to \^ncouver, 12
miles. P. 0.

Stanley.— Cariboo District. 280 miles from Ashcroft On Light-
ning Creek. One of the most famous phicer grounds of the
mining excitement. Now a very small settlement. Van
Winkle, 1 mile.

Stump Lake. — A lake in Nicola District. Ranching and mining.
P. O.

Teleohaph Hrkev.
Stikeen kiv r.

-Cassiar District. At head of Navigation oi

Tete .Taune Cache.— Cariboo District. West side of Rockies in
valley of Fraser. Lat. <>2" lo'. Where the Yellowhead Pass
reaches the river. H. B. Co.

Texapa Island. — Westminster District. A large island in middle
of straits opposite Comox. This island has iron in extensive
lodes, which are being worked. There are also many gold
quartz ledges, but not hitherto successfully developed.

V.vxcwuvER City. — The West terminus of the C. P. Ry. Situate
on South shore of Burrard Inlet, and extending' across tlie
peninsula to Knglisli Bay. Port for ocean vessels from Cliina
and Japan. Many manufactories. Large machine shojis of
C. P. R. Fine buildings. Public park. Tramways and roads
to all parts of Fraser Valley and New Westminster. Daily
steam service with V^ictoria.

Valdez Islanu. — There are two islands of this name. The larger
is separated from Vancouver Island l>y Seymour Narrows, (j. v.
Tiie smaller is ofi' tl»e coast of Vancouver Island, opposite
Nanaimo, and is occupied by settlers for farming and sheeji.

Vernon. —Yale District. Terminus of S. & O. Ry. ">4 miles from
Sicamoose. Centre of district for Okanagan country. Situate
about 2 miles from North-east shore of Okanagan Lake and
e(|ual distance from Swan and Loiig Lakes. Dailj' mail, and
frequent communi ation with Kamloops and southern districts.

VirTORlA. — The capital of British Columbia. On South-east shore of
Vancouver Island. Seat of tJovernniu.it of the Province. Lieut. -
(iovernor's official residence. Hospitals. House of Assembly
for Local Parliament. Law Courts. Public park. Municipal
buildings. Free lii)rary. Electric light and tramways. Iron

■■■■■I

-46 ^ Geograi*hical Sketch ^

works and many local manufactories. Centre of seal fisheries
and coast trade. Daily steamboat service with Vancouver,
New Westminster, and U. S. Battery and Depot Canadian
Artillery. Large wharves. Head centre of H. B. Co. and many
mercantile firms. Terminus of Island Railway. Large schools
and High Schools.

Wellington.— Napaimo District. R S. E. & X. Ry. 5 miles
from Nanaimo. Seat of large coUeries. Docks at Depai-ture
Bay. P. 0. Schs.

Westminster Junction. — Westminster District. R. S. C.P.Ry.
junction of branch line from Xew Westminster City.

Wharxock. — Westminster District. R. S. 34 miles from Coast.
On right Iwnk of Fraeer. Farming land. P.O.

WiNDEKMEKE.— East jCootenav. On east side of Upper Columbia
Lake. 90 miles from (iohlen. P. O. (iootl mining.

Yale. — Yale District. On riglit l>aiik «-f Fraser as it emerges from
the <5an3'on. Head of 8teainlK»at navigation. HX) miles from
Coast. R. S. Formerly terminus of Caril)oo waggon road, and
important H. B. Co. post and tlejiot for interior. Sch. P. O.

Yellowhead Pass. — CarilHX> District. Chief northern pass across
Roc;kie», and originally main entrance to the Province from the
East. "733 feet above the sea.

m m

VICTORIA, B. C:
Printed by Richard Wolfendkn Printer to the (^ueeii s .Most Excellent Majeity.

J of seal fisheries
with Vancouver,
1 Depot Canadian
. B. Co. and many
kV. Large schools

I N. Ry. 5

miles

tocks at Departure

. R. S. C.P.Ry.

ter City.

miles from Coast.

».0.

,f Upper Columbia

I mining.

as it emerges from
1. 1()0 miles from
o waggon road, and
orior. Sch. P. O.

lorthem pass across
e Province from the

Mo«t Excellent Majesty.