16 B GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA

and 1901. Among the excursions undertaken for this purpose Dr. C. F.
Newcomb made two voyages in 1895 and 1897, with reference principally to
archaeological researches among the Haida Indians. Collections of fossis
were made from a number of places, and have helped to more definitely set-
tle the age of the sedimentary rocks of Graham island, though collections
had previously been made by Mr. Richardson and by Dr. Dawson, These
collections are all from points along the shores.

The interior of the island was, however, almost entirely unexplored, the
only information relative to it being obtained from the brief trip of
Dr, Dawson in 1878. In 1885 Mr. W. A. Robertson, of Victoria, while
making an exploration on behalf of the Provincial Government in connex-
ion with the timber resources of the island, ascended the Yakoun river to
the lake at its head. Thence, crossing the country he reached the harbour
of Skidegate at the mouth of the Honna river. In this trip, while examin-
ing some of the small streams to the east of the Yakoun, pieces of bitumin-
ous coal of excellent quality were observed, and on tracing these upward to
their source a seam of large size was discovered which was afterward open-
ed up to some extent along the outcrop and is known as the ‘‘ Wilson seam.’’
Farther to the south drift coal was also seen on the east branch of the
Yakoun which flows into the main stream a short distance below its exit from
the north end of the lake. Tracing these pieces to their source, another
large and valuable deposit was disclosed, situated about three miles east of
Yakoun lake and some eight miles inland from the mouth of the Honna.
This outcrop was subsequently styled the Robertson seam—after its discover-
er. This seam has also been opened up along the outcrop.for a short dis-
tance, under the direction of several mining engineers who have visited the
locality at different times in the interest of the owners.

Owing to the desirability of ascertaining something definite, if possible,
as to the structure of this coal field, it was decided early in 1905, by the
Acting Director of the Geological Survey, to send a party to Graham island
for that purpose. In the carrying out of this work an examination was
made of the interior as far as was possible, and of the entire shore line,
starting from Skidegate and going west through the boat channel which
separates Graham from Moresby islands, and thence by the west coast to
the north end of North island. From this point the north shore was examin-
ed, including the harbour of Virago sound where lignite had been reported as
occurring. A trip was taken inland to the heads of the several lake expans-
ions. At Masset inlet the party divided. My assistant, with one man,
ascended the Yakoun river to the lake, partly by small canoe and

partly on foot through the woods, whence they followed the trail