ready mentioned we procured at this point specimens of the strange, funguslooking heath, Monotropa uniflora, commonly known as the Indian pipe, or Indian ghost - plant. Its perfectly white, almost transparent stem and blossom, and its peculiar shape, render either name an appropriate one. Several examples were also found of a kindred plant, red in colour, Hypopitys fimbriata. Of orchids there were the beautiful Habenaria leucostachys, and the less common Habenaria orbiculata, with its glossy leaves and delicate petals. Among lilies the snow-white Clintonia uniflora was the most noticeable species then in blossom.

Lunch was in order at the next stoping-place, and was partaken of with all the keener relish as we were informed there was no more water to be met with till we got to our camping place for the night.

The vigour, renewed by our rest and lunch, was sorely needed for the next part of the ascent, which included the hardest bits we were destined to encounter. Not only was it steeper, but there were slopes of loose stones which had an ugly habit of slipping away from our hands and feet and descending upon the rearmost members of the party. There were few trees and shrubs to cling to, and among such as were present the prickly devil's club, Fatsia horrida, was unpleasantly conspicuous. Moreover, it was not only prickly, but most treacherously brittle.

However, these places were not the whole of the climb, and after a time we gained the "hog's back" of the ridge and moved among noble trees, between which we could see the steep descent which guided our eyes to the country below. There was not a good view, owing to the smoke, but the mighty Fraser shone through the mist like a silver ribbon, and the farm lands showed vivid squares and patches of green among dark masses of virgin forest. The flowers here were the two pretty little plants of the heath order, Pyrola secunda and Moneses uniflora, both of which were found in great abundance.

About this point the party broke up

into two detachments, one of which, the stronger, went forward to reach the camping ground and pitch the tents, and the other took matters a little more quietly, indulging the tired flesh with more frequent rest, and longing for the time when the camp should come in sight.

At last the highest point of this part of the ridge was reached, the aneroid showing 6,500 feet, and a welcome descent began to the gap in which our camp was to be for the night. But, oh! how long that last stage appeared, although new beauties around us revealed themselves at every few steps. At the foot of all the trees shone the tiny star-like blossoms of the Rubus pedatus; the welcome sound of water was heard not far away; then came the great patches of snowdrift, and there was a scramble even on the part of the wearied ones to make the first snowball. Soon after there burst upon the vision one of the most glorious views that nature holds for the delight of man. It was a veritable coup d'œilan enormous open valley, walled in on either side by gigantic barriers of snowcapped mountain, and closed at the further end by a broad slope which the July sun had not yet stripped of its burden of snow. From this, as from a glacier, there poured through the valley a stream of ice-cold water, making a silver thread, embroidered with edging of yellow flowers, through a carpet of most vivid green. A month ago and the stream was probably an avalanche, for the mighty trees lay strewn about through the valley like giant warriors slain in one of Nature's great annual conflicts. From a distance they looked like matches tossed about on either margin of the stream, but a closer acquaintance revealed their individual size and the dimensions of the valley.

We were there just about the right time, for seasons are short in these elevated regions. Two or three days before, perhaps, this flowery valley was but an Alpine swamp---we could see the difference in the short space of our visit and a month later the snow would again be falling, so it was pos

sible to realize how quickly the flowers must spring up and bring forth their fruit.

For the moment, however, there was something rivalling in interest the flowers and the snow, namely, the blue, curling smoke ascending from a clump of trees in the distance, which proclaimed the whereabouts of our advance guard. It was good to see the white gleam of the tents and the ruddy blaze of the fire-for the air was chilly here and how welcome was the sight of the white tablecloth spread upon the grass, with bright bouquets of flowers adding to the attractiveness of the promised repast.

It would be impossible

to describe the delights of that meal, so we pass it over; but it proved that not what you eat, but the circumstances under which you eat, are of most importance.

The fire was welcome,

not only on account of its warmth, but as a means for driving off the mosquitoes, who (not by our own choice) were the sole living things to welcome us here. Fatigue vanished as if by magic, but we all sought our beds early, and most slept the sleep of the weary. It occurred, however, to one or two gentlemen that in future it might be as well not to pitch the tent on a gentle slope, as there seemed a tendency on the part of those above to roll down upon those below, and so illustrate the action of avalanches.

Next day we were all up early, and making plans for the day's work.

In the breasts of some ambition was for the present lulled to rest, and contented with the achievement of the day before there was only the desire to do justice to the comfortable quarters now attained. Besides this there was needed a complete exploration of the valley to collect examples of its botanical treasures. On the part of others there was the desire to ascend yet to greater heights, and learn what nature had yet in store; so the one party, with "Excelsior" for its motto, set out to gain the nearest ridge, and the other stayed below.

Let us describe the work of the latter first. The valley was very wet in

the early morning and it was difficult getting about, but when the sun got up everything was delightful and there was ample material to engage attention. The yellow flowers which attracted our attention the night before proved to be the Arnica latifolia, and the still deeper yellow Potentilla dissecta. Of the same hue was the abundant Viola glabella and the less common Ranunculus Eschscholtzii. With its delicate white sepals veined with blue there sparkled from every swampy place, following as it were the melting of the snow, the Caltha leptosepala, while the same spots furnished a suitable habitat for the Valeriana Sitchensis. Our Indians we found enjoying a feast of "Siwash Rhubarb," Hieracleum lanatum. Further from the water we found two beautiful heather-like plants, one of which proved to be Bryanthus empetriformis with crimson bell-like flowers, and the other Spirea pectinata with delicate foliage and white blossoms. It must suffice merely to mention the rest. They included the mountain sorrel (Oxyria digyna), a species of false mitre-wort (Jiarella unifoliata), a beautiful little saxifrage (Parnassia fimbriata), the scarlet mimulus (Mimulus Lewisii), of which however no specimens were fully in flower; Senecio triangularis and Petasiles frigida among the composito, Juncus Drummondii and Carex invisa among the rushes, and the little scarlet tipped lichen Cladonia bellidiflora. The chief find of all, however, was a plant new to the Canadian Herbarium, the Cimicifuga elata, and this addition to our Flora has been retained for the collection at Ottawa..

The second party had a stiff climb through brush which was still wet and slippery with the heavy dews, but it reached in time the ridge, which was about 7,500 feet above the sea level, and although deprived of any extensive view by the mists, had a rich reward in the discovery of a lovely valley less swampy than our camping ground and equally bright with flowers. These were of a more Alpine character than what we had hitherto collected, though including several of them.

We had

collected in the swamp Saxifraga punetata, and here we found Saxifraga bronchialis. The rare white Castilleia (C. pallida) was also on hand, and, of the same order, Pentstemon, Menziesii, var. Scouleri, and Pentstemon confertus, var. cæruleo-purpureus, this latter in a mountain form, which as Professor Macoun says would make a very wellmarked variety. Another member of the Scrophulariaceae was Pelicutaris racemosa, a pretty species of Lousewort. The Lily family was represented by the graceful yellow lily, Erythronium grandiflorum minor, while the Heath order was well to the front with Bryanthus glandulflorus, Cassiope Merlensiana, the mountain huckleberry (Menziesia glabella), and the very showy shrub, Rhododendron albiflorum. Another noticeable shrub or tree was a kind of wild crab-apple, Pirus sambucifolia. The remaining examples worthy of notice were the pretty blue veronica V. alpina, Phlox Douglasii with very delicate light blue blossoms, the deep amber-coloured columbine Aquilegia formosa, and the pink aster-like erigeron E. salsuginosus.

From the top of this ridge peak beyond peak was seen stretching away in the distance, and the summit was still

far away. Two only of the party essayed this third stage, accompanied by one Indian, although it is probable that had not "Jimmy" proved a gross deceiver, at least one lady would have made the venture too. However, the wily "Jimmy" foreseeing no doubt hard work for himself if such had been the case, deliberately pointed out a peak in the far distance as the summit instead of one much nearer at hand, so he had the satisfaction of leading his detachment back to camp instead of making any further conquest.

The adventurous two had indeed all they could do to attain their Pisgah. For the last two or three hundred yards the climb was a scramble up the rocks in which all the strength of every nerve and finger-joint was needed, but the top-stone was won at last, and had the atmosphere been clear, a glorious view, extending over a sea of mountains to

the north, east and south, and to Victoria on Vancouver Island to the west, would have been the result. As it was, it was no "blind summit," and there was a sense of exhilaration in the victory over so many difficulties. The little red pink, Silene acaulis, was the only vegetation blooming on the bare rock of the actual top, but not far below was one of the cruciferse, Smelowskia calycina, a genuine Alpine plant, and a bright yellow stonecrop, Sedum Oreganum. There were also the two species of Castilleia, C. miniata and C. pallida, another louse wort, Pedicularis Grænlandica, and a thistle, Cnicus foliosus, very much resembling the well-known holy thistle.

Of animal life there was little sign. A few blue grouse were startled in their solitary haunts, tracks of mountain sheep were seen, and the whistle of the groundhog sounded so strangely ever and anon that it was difficult to believe it was not one member of the party whistling to the other.

The animal life in general was very little in evidence. The bears come out in any number only when the huckleberries are ripe, and it was too early for this. A few birds called by the Indians "Jacks" were so tame that they would come and share our breakfast, lighting on a log a few feet away to carry off any bits that were thrown to them, but other birds there were none. Of insects, mosquitoes represented (and sufficiently) the whole entomological kingdom, with the exception of a few aphides which here, as below, infested some of the plants.

After the descent a few photographs were taken before the sun set, and then we had a very jolly evening around the camp fire, when song and story came freely from almost every member of the party.

Thursday was our day for the descent, but the morning opened so clear that less than half the party could resist the temptation to make a second ascent to the upper ridge, and this time the climbers were rewarded with a glorious view of mountain, lake, stream, forest and farm.

In their absence, the minority determined to make an early start by themselves on the downward way, and found it a more difficult task than they imagined. The blazes on the trees looked very plain when you could see them, but they did not seem at hand just when you wanted them, and as for trails, the trouble was that there were too many of them, the fault, no doubt, of the Indian women who ascend in search of huckleberries, and are independent of any recognized pathway. However, it was a good lesson in humility, and it was good practice in quickening the faculty of observation. After some circumlocution the right ridge was discovered, though after a more difficult climb than was necessary, and not long after the wanderers were overtaken by the rest of the expedition with the Indian guides. A halt was made for lunch, but the time consumed in the morning's ascent made it necessary to hurry on with all speed to avoid being overtaken by the darkness. It was just going down, down, as fast as wearied muscles would permit. To some, going down was harder than going up, and it was certainly very tiring and very hot work. There was thus but little time for botanizing; but one or two species were collected not hitherto mentioned, namely, Streptopus roseus and Stenanthium occidentale among lilies, and the curious looking orchid, Corallorhiza multiflora.

Our fears were realized in so far that we were still in the bush when the sun was setting, but the experience was worth the risk, as the solemnity of the woods at night, with every tree and

plant assuming ghostly shapes, is of a kind never to be forgotten. And weirdly sounded the Indian coo-ee, as one guide called to another, keeping us together, guiding our steps along over logs and through streams and thickets until at length the log-road was reached, and the way to the riverside plain.

Our thankfulness at being back was unbounded, our meal was delightful, and not all the romance of camping out could prevent the ladies from being glad to accept once again the hospitality of their friends at the saw-mill.

Next day we journeyed from Popcum to Chilliwack, some by coach, some walking, and here we found the Gladys once again, and, embarking, reached New Westminster on Saturday afternoon, all in the best of health and spirits, and without having sustained at single mishap.

We had had a most enjoyable trip, and only needed more time to achieve substantial results from the exploration of Mt. Cheam.

As it was, we have collected, as will be seen from the foregoing, quite a number of botanical specimens not before reported from the Coast, and have succeeded in adding one species to the known Flora of the Dominion.

In conclusion the writer begs to acknowledge his indebtedness to Professor J. M. Macoun, Head of the Botanical Department of the Geological Survey, Ottawa, for the correct determination of plants submitted to him, and for much interest shown in the expedition.

Herbert H. Gowen.