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N this number of “Museum Notes”, we include, as in the former number of
September last, a variety of subjects, each of which either directly or indirectly
deals with subjects connected with this museum.

Mr. Fred Perry is a well-known resident of North Vancouver, and is a Director of
long standing of the museum which has received his support, which has been particu-
larly valuable because of his intimate knowledge of the Botanical details of our local
Flora. He is our First Vice-President.

The article dealing with the introduction of electric light to British Columbia
contains material with which few are completely informed. Gathered from a variety
of sources, it is hoped that it may be of value as a record of this phase of B. C.
development.

“The Early Story of North Vancouver’ has been carefully prepared by that well-
known resident authority of that city, who has labored well and earnestly to furnish
this enlightening history of the settlement of the North Shore, the Reverend William
Stott, to whom we exbress our warmest thanks.

So, too, we wish to extend our great appreciation to Mr. George A. Hardy for
his splendid article treating of the several varieties of Fungi, in such a fully descriptive
and detailed manner that even the novice cannot fail to recognize each, as he wanders
through the forests of our province. Mr. Hardy is the Botanist of our Provincial
Museum, and we sincerely trust we may receive more of his friendly help in future
issues. Certainly, the mass production of the germs of life which he describes so
well is amazing.

Our Curator’s description of the Irish Deer and the antlers, now many hundreds of
years old, which are today to be seen in our Museum, well preserved, must awaken a
lively interest in the minds of all. Such rare and ancient objects of the long ago add
to the variety of curious objects housed in the Vancouver Museum.

Some writers have spoken of the camels which were used in the Cariboo country in
the 60’s as of the dromedary species, that is to say, the one-humped variety. Though
this controversy had already been pretty well settled, we believe the article herein will
be found instructive. Mr. R. B. Green is a student at the University of B. C., and has
given us a well-prepared article, the result of intensive study. It contains, too, some
' details not heretofore commonly known.

Mr. J. W. W. is a well-known writer on many matters regarding B. C., and his
description of the varieties of oak, and its relatives, the beechnut and the chestnut,
is at once interesting, and, as ever anything from his fluent pen, attractively written.

The brief description of that rare mammal of the northern seas, the Narwhal,
again rouses the interest of the public, inasmuch as its “‘horm” or ‘‘tusk”’ is to be seen
on display in our museum. Though the unicorn shown on the British Coat of Arms
is purely a mythical animal, having been placed there as a sinistral supporter by
James I, and though the translators of the Authorized Version of the Bible placed it
therein four times, showing that at least in part it was still believed to exist, such
belief is long since discarded.

Apart from the rhinoceros, the only mammal known to be armed with the single
“horn” is the Narwhal, or Sea Unicorn.

It is a gregarious animal, usually grouping in schools of from fifteen to twenty
individuals, all members of the same sex. It travels with great speed. It is extremely
playful, frequently elevating its horn and crossing it with that of its playful antagonist,
as does a human duellist in fencing. It has never been known to attempt to pierce
the bottom of a ship with its weapon as does a sword-fish, which is a totally
different animal.

We therefore have the pleasure in drawing the attention of the general public to
the rare novelty, and trust that together with the rest of the articles herein, this
copy of the Museum Notes may merit your approval.

Vancouver, March, 1950. GEORGE GREEN.