, 1908-05-13
ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

"a Canoe Trip to the Plains of the Car
lboo' was the subject of an address deliver
cd last Friday by Mr.. Ernest L. Seton at q
meeting of the Royal Geographical Society,
held III the theatre, Neutrality-suspicious..
The chair was taken by COLONEL SIR COLIN
SCOTT. MoNoRIEFF, and there was O large at
tendance. In introducing Mr.. Seton the
CHAIRMAN said that that gentleman had spent
MS years IN the pursuit Of wild animals, not
with the object Of killing them and making
trophies OF their hides and horns, but to
study their habits. He believed that those
present were familiar with Mr.. Seton's
charming books and illustrations
Mr., SETON explained that the object of
the expedition-which was q private one,
organized, equipped, and directed solely by
hllnself-Was the geographical and zoologi-
cal exploration of the barren grounds, or
Arctic PORTION of the mainland northwest
OF hudson Bay. The region in question had
been crossed by other travellers, but it had
not been explored, and large areas Of it were
quite unknown. The expedition left the
railway at Edmonton on the Canadian Paci-
hc Railway in May last, and at Athabasca
Landing set out by canoe for a voyage
Of 1000 miles to The Arctic barrens, the
WIZ hA'oO VI AlllC ICdu
For 600 miles tue route was down the river
that crossed the great Canadian whoat bolt,
ln which were lying idle grain lands enough,
probably, to feed the Empire. Partly over
tapping the wheat belt, but extending far
ther north, was the great Canadian forest,
winch sire .ched $500 miles from the Atlan-
TIC TO the Pacific, with u width Of about 500
mics. The TIMBER there was mainly spruce,
ana promised % supply OF wood md pulp suf-
hclent to serve the Empire for generations,
II not indefinitely. The northern edge of
the forest was the beginning of the true
Arctlc region, though here not within the
Afc'lc circle. This was crossed on August
l, and from then until September Is the ex-
time was devoted to geographical
aAd geological research. Several weeks
Were given to compass SURVEYS of lakes
Aylmer and Clinton-Colden. Two great
rivers were here discovered. One, running
INTO AyImer lake from the north, was, by
PERMISSION named after the Governor-Gen-
eral of Canada, earl Grey s river" the other,
running into the east end of Clinton Co. len
lake, was, by the permission of he Premier,
named "Laurler river" The geological re-
SUITS also were of some importance. No
new nn'mais were discovered, but much new
h8ht on known species was secured. Il was
SldtlyihB TO KNOW that the eX-
pedlilon demonstrated the existence of O
considerable herd of American bison on the
Slave river. Afterwards, they found the
musk OK at Aylner lake, and it was shown
that carlboo still existed in millions as in the
most primitive lines. On September Is the
return journey began, aad on November l
tue expedition was safely landed witIout
'nlshap at Athabasca Landing. The journey,
without hardship, was q delightful summer
UP married only by the annoying swarms of
Dlood-thlrsty mosquitoes, that gave no peace
Gay OF night. Mr.. Seton pointed out, in
conclusion, that he had taken the audience
On a seven months trip to the Arctic region
aud back, showing the country by means of
nearly 80 slides, and that while sunny land
scapes, grassy meadows and stretches Of
wild flowers abounded, there was not in any
picture the slightest hint Of frost, ice, or
snoW.-{biR.