49 the year, contained in Hudson bay; also because it comes within the sphere of influence of the warm winds from the Pacific, and because of its soil covering. Precipitation is fairly uniform ae the whole basin sedi is nowhere excessive. It is in general slightly higher than’ that which obtains on the prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan, but nowhere as heavy as it is on either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. The total precipitation ranges between 15 and 20 inches annually and the snow in the central portion of the basin lies usually to a depth of about 2 feet. Snowfall is somewlrat greater in the mountains to the west where the total precipitation too is higher. The whole basin is wooded and although storms and blizzaidé oceur occa- sionally they are by no means as violent as they are on the prairies because of the protection of the forests. The great inland bodies of water, ‘Athabasca: Great Slave, and Great Bear | lakes, have a large influence in lowering summer temperature and retarding the advance of spring in the country adjacent to them because ice remains in them until late in June and in the northern lakes even until July. On the other hand, the influence of the warm winds from the Pacific in raising the temperature is felt along the eastern slopes of the mountain as far north as Liard river. These winds; commonly known as chinook winds, are particularly noticeable in the ’ upper Peace River country and frequently bring warm waves during the winter months sufficient to melt the snow. They are not so prevalent in the summer months, but it was noticed by Dr. G. M. Dawson in the Peace River country in 1879, that summer frosts usually occurred on calm clear nights following a high wind from the west. Temperatures during the day, even as far north as the delta of the Mapkonrs, occasionally reach a maximum of about 85 degrees F. during the months of June, July, or August, but there is usually a decided drop as soon as the sun goes down. The nights, therefore, are always cool, with the temperature rarely above 50 degrees F., and except in the southern portion of the basin it is liable to descend below tne freezing point at any time of the year. During the winter the lowest temperatures ogcur in the month of January, when the thermometer occasionally drops in the southern part of the basin to 45 degrees below zero and in the northern part to 60 degrees below. For the purpose of comparing the climate in different parts of the basin, the following tables of temperatures for the year, at a few widely separated points, are submitted. Those for Athabaska, Peace River Crossing, Fond du Lac, and Resolution are for the year 1912, and those for a and Good Hope are for 1900. 2 ee ny aii ee See We hE “a