of the nature of his equipment, the time at his disposal
and the methods which he was obliged to use, Mackenzie's
longitudes were as good as might be expected; that the
lack of accuracy in the determination does not reflect on
his ability as an observer, and that we may in consequence
have no hesitation in accepting his observations for lati-
tude, which from their nature were susceptible of a much
greater degree of precision. Fortunately we have an
opportunity of checking his inland latitude observations,
which were taken with the artificial horizon, at places
the positions of which are now known with a fair degree of
certainty, such as Bella Coola, or “Rascal’s Village,”
Burnt Bridge or ‘Friendly Village,” and Fort George
Canyon.’ Mackenzie’s results at these places are generally
a little over a mile in error, so we may assume that the
instrument with which they were observed was not very
much out of adjustment, and that confidence may be placed
in the latitude observation at ““The Rock.”’ Observations
were taken here both with the natural and artificial
horizons, the results differing by 45’’ or -86 miles, so that
we are probably quite safe in assuming that the rock is
within a mile and a half to the north or south of the mean
of the latitudes given by Mackenzie. This is important,
as the mean result is about four miles from “The Cheek
of Vancouver’s Cascade Canal” referred to in the footnote
of Mackenzie’s book,® and generally assumed to be the
correct position.

The position of the latitudes as observed is shewn on
the accompanying sketch; their bearing on the remainder
of the evidence will be discussed later on. (See Appendix).

The next thing is to follow the bearings and distances
from Bella Coola. Here we must take into consideration
the remark at the end of the Journal that “The courses
are taken by compass” and that “‘the variation must be
considered." In Mackenzie’s time this probably
amounted to about twenty-three degrees East. In certain
cases, however, the bearings appear to have been converted
to astronomical bearings.

8 Mackenzie makes the latitude of these three places as follows: 520231 a3
355; 52° 28’ 11", p. 323; 53° 42’ 20” p. 234.
NR P. 349 of his Voyagés. A\ll the references are to the edition already cited, London,

10 This is the very last statement in the book. It is at the end of the errata.

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