Selected Excerpts from the Vancouver Natural History Society “Bulletin”
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- Botanical Notes from Central B.C.
- Prospect Point, Stanley Park
- Summer Trip to Grouse Mountain
- Garibaldi Park and Hatzic
- Excursion to Musqueam Indian Reserve
- Seagull Nests – Howe Sound
| Sumas Mountain Plants
The following is a list of plants found on Sumas Mountain on June 16th, 1945 provided by Mrs. McGinn: arnica; nightshade [European bittersweet], Solanum dulcamara; - wintergreen [one sided] Pyrola [Orthilia] secunda; P. chlorantha, [green] wintergreen; P. asarifolia, [pink] wintergreen; single delight, Moneses uniflora; prince’s pine, Chimaphila umbellata; [shrubby] penstemon, P. Menziesii; paintbrush, Castilleja (2 shades); goatsbeard, Aruncus sylvester [dioicus]; oceanspray, Spiraea [Holodiscus]; hardhack, Spiraea; mountain [subalpine] spirea, Spiraea; queen’s cup, Clintonia uniflora – the common name given to it by Mrs. Henshaw of Vancouver. Devil’s club, Fatsia [Oplopanax], a handsome shrub, with fruit in the green stage. Oak fern and maidenhair ferns in beautiful clumps, and [maidenhair] spleenwort. Spikenard, [star-flowered false Solomon’s seal], Smilacina stellata; mock-orange, Philadelphus, saxifrage family, but without perfume as a result of local heat conditions. And not a syringa, which is a lilac. Mother of millions [youth-on-age], Tolmiea menziesii; elkhorn (sweet after death) [vanilla-leaf], Achlys triphylla, (barberry family); small flowered [baldhip] rose,[Rosa] gymnocarpa; [Pacific] ninebark, (Physocarpus). Botanical Notes from Central B.C. Mr. J.W. Eastham contributed the following notes from his address to the Society, which was illustrated by many interesting specimens: On leaving Vancouver for Prince George by car, the first striking change in vegetation is the disappearance of the vine maple, Acer circinatum and its replacement by Acer glabrum –the mountain [Douglas] maple. A. macrophyllum [bigleaf maple] however, persists almost to the edge of the dry belt at Cisco. In from Clinton, at Green Lake, Scirpus nevadensis was found, which is a southern plant rare in B.C. and this is our most northern record at present. Here also we meet with Astragalus serotinus [miser] [timber milk-vetch], a plant that perhaps causes more losses among livestock than all other B.C. poisonous plants combined. It is habit forming, producing emaciation and nerve paralysis, or heart failure. While related to the locoweeds, the symptoms, according to our veterinarians, are different. At Soda Creek we see an abundance of Crepis tectorum, [annual hawksbeard], a species first reported in 1934 but now found right across the Chilcotin to Redstone and north to beyond Quesnel. Lat. 54 - that of Prince George – marks an interesting change in flora. At this latitude not only do more Arctic plants appear, but our ecological divisions of the south become modified. Angelica genuflexa [kneeling angelica], a plant normally found only on the south coast is also found at Smithers, Ootsa Lake and Quesnel. It is also probable that many eastern plants such as Calla palustris [water arum] [and other] older floras thought to range only from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, in fact extend right across to B.C. Anemone virginiana [riverbank anenome] has been found at Prince George, and A. cylindrica [long-headed anemone] is fairly common at Quesnel. Carex Sprengelii [Sprengel’s sedge] and C. tenuiflora [sparse-leaved sedge] not previously known west of the Rocky Mountains, have been found in the Prince George area. The latter, however does occur in Alaska. Heuchera Richardsonii [Richardson’s alumroot] was found at McBride. The C.N.R. has made this latitude accessible, and a thorough botanical study of it will probably result in many interesting finds. At present, it represents the limit of any real knowledge we have of our B.C. flora. J.W.E. J.W. Eastham was a British-trained World War I veteran and a gentleman. He was a Provincial plant pathologist and a fine botanist. He revised J. W. Henry’s, Flora of B.C. and in retirement volunteered in the U.B.C. Herbarium. He and some other naturalists had differing views from those of Prof. John Davidson and left the V.N.H.S. to form the Burrard Field Naturalists. It was a small group that existed for a time as part of the B.C. Art, Science and Historical Society associated with the old Vancouver Museum. After Prof. Davidson retired, Mr. Eastham returned to occasionally help with V.N.H.S. activities. #33 May 1947 Stanley Park Our first outing of the season on April 12th was a great success. Thirty members turned out under the able leadership of John Holman and Frank Beebe, and the sun contributed its cheerful warmth, encouraging our feathered friends to be available for our inspection. The party met at Second Beach and proceeded along the northeast shore of Lost Lagoon, observing birds, both land and water dwellers; thence to Beaver Lake along the north shore of the Park to Lumberman’s Arch, finishing up at the Zoo where several native species are to be seen in captivity.
The bird lovers were fortunate to have had perfect weather for their second outing on April 26th. Thanks to Mr. Bain and other car owners, the party gathered at Ferguson Road. Before leading the way to a heronry, John Holman read a list of birds seen on a previous trip and suggested other species that might be present. Nesting conditions of the great blue heron were easily observed and several eggshells were found. A fox [song?] sparrow with young was disturbed, and they put on a fine show. (NB: Fox sparrows are not known to nest in south coastal B.C). The party then crossed the fields to the dyke and several shore birds were seen. Due to low tide there were few water birds. Song heard only: horned lark, yellow warbler, tule [marsh] wren, and spotted towhee. Seen: killdeer, American goldfinch, red-wing blackbird, Brewer’s blackbird, great blue heron, savannah, fox [?], white-crowned, tree and song sparrows; [American] robin, [western] meadowlark, [water] pipit, mallard, red-backed sandpiper [dunlin], greater yellowlegs, black-bellied plover, Wilson’s [common] snipe, [ring-necked] pheasant (and egg) and the Maryland [common] yellowthroat. Botanists saw wild geranium, red involucred or twin [black twinberry] honeysuckle, [Pacific] ninebark, and a four-leaf clover. Musqueam Indian Reserve About 37 members of the Society spent a pleasant sunny afternoon on May 3rd, studying botany with Prof. Davidson. The plants are flowering earlier than usual this year. A pretty mimulus was observed. Caulfeild’s west shore On May 10th 40 enthusiasts gathered with Prof. Davidson to tour the Caulfeild area and a wide variety of plants were found. Later the group gathered for tea on Mrs. Buck’s verandah. Some members scrambled high on the rocks in search of bluff flora. There were a number of rufous hummingbirds to be seen. #34 August 1947 Prospect Point, Stanley Park On June 7th about thirty geology enthusiasts gathered at the foot of Prospect Point while Mr. Plommer explained the rock formation of that region. The dark coloured ledges seen there are composed of igneous rock that is comparatively young, about 19 million years old, and much stronger than the surrounding sedimentary rock that belongs to the Burrard formation, age 30 million years. The dark rock is part of the large dyke that forms the prominent cliff marking the entrance to the harbour. The dyke is about 50 feet wide and extends upwards above sea level for 200 feet. A vertical dyke 10 feet wide occurs a short distance south of Siwash Rock on the west side of Stanley Park and trends eastward, but is exposed only at low tide. The dyke spreads out in its upper part into a flow or sill, which then extends southwest along the top of the cliff nearly to Siwash Rock, and is recognized by the almost vertical joints. The contact of the lower part of the flow or sill with the underlying sedimentary rock is exposed high up in the face of the cliff south of Siwash Rock. The sandstones are considerably altered near the contact of the igneous rock. Siwash Rock is a marine erosion remnant (a stack). It consists mostly of sandstone that has been baked and altered by the action of the intrusive tongues of igneous rock, and has therefore resisted erosion. This whole region is rising and deeply bedded rocks are now being exposed. As we walked along we saw occasional boulders that had been strewn over the land by glaciers in a very recent period, about one million years ago. The pleasing contours of the whole park area and the interesting southern shoreline results from gentle folds in the Burrard formation. This results in different parts of the formation being exposed to wave action, the more resistant rocks forming projections, the shales being eroded to form small bays at Second and Third Beaches. A young [harbour] seal was also seen that day, as well as paper wasps and their nests. L.C. #35 October 1947 Summer Trip to Grouse Mountain On July 20th nine hardy souls made the climb to Grouse plateau and beyond. Perfect weather with fleecy white clouds and cool breezes was our reward. The flowers were a month in advance of last year so we saw some we had missed previously and found others in seed. The Grouse road was a mass of copperbush and [white-flowered] rhododendron. Mountain [subalpine] spirea, heathers, [white] marsh-marigold, mountain ash, [clasping] twisted stalk, arnica and saxifrages brightened the way as we went over to Goat Ridge and back by Dam Mountain. A grouse with young was found above the ski village and Mr. Beebe pointed out Vaux’s swifts, [dark-eyed] juncos and some unidentified thrushes. #39 May 1948 Garibaldi Park and Hatzic On May 2nd eleven members of the bird section took a trip to Loon Lake and Hatzic Slough. The party proceeded by car, leaving town via Hastings Street. Just short of Port Moody a stop was made to observe a large flock of Steller’s jays in the trees on each side of the road. From there the route was out the Dewdney Road, turning to a side road past Steelhead and then walking two miles to Loon Lake. This area is not a good one for observing birds as the trees are mainly coniferous and grow thickly with few clearings. Many wrens were heard as well as a black-throated gray warbler. At the Lake two ruby-crowned kinglets were seen and a flock of chestnut-backed chickadees. After lunch we went on to Hatzic Slough. Soon after we reached the shore a number of ducks could be seen but could not at first be identified. Working quietly along the shore for a more favourable position we could see that they were wood ducks. Sixteen were counted and all members of our party had a good opportunity to see these rare and brilliantly coloured birds. Hatzic Slough and the surrounding farms proved to be rich in bird life and many varieties were seen including a downy woodpecker, a Wilson’s [common] snipe a great many Myrtle [yellow-rumped] warblers and Maryland [common] yellowthroats. Several nests of the red-winged blackbird were seen with eggs. Altogether the expedition was accounted most successful. Stanley Park About 30 members enjoyed the spring beauties of Stanley Park for the first bird trip of the season, April 17th, with John Holman as guide. Audubon [yellow-rumped] warblers provided the first excitement, great numbers being found south of the Lagoon and displaying themselves to our advantage. A few Myrtle warblers [white throated race of the yellow-rumped warbler] were among them. At the same location, watchers were rewarded by an olive-backed [Swainson’s] thrush. Not far distant, in a clump of salmonberry, a rufous hummingbird and his mate hovered, settled, and remained long enough for all to admire their beauty. Also present were Hutton’s vireos, kinglets, fox sparrows, evening grosbeaks, violet-green swallows and others. The party circled the Lagoon and followed the trail to Beaver Lake where they saw numerous ducks, a Canada goose, a great blue heron and a pied-billed grebe. In all, 32 species were seen. M.L.H. Excursion to Musqueam Indian Reserve On May 1st, 1948 forty members and their friends met at the corner of 41st Ave., and Marine Drive where Mr. Bain extended a welcome to visitors and to those members of the evening botany class who were present. The party proceeded to the Reserve where Prof. Davidson outlined the object of the excursion, which was to study the flora of a Mesophytic woodland. Though the season was late, the following plants were studied: Douglas-fir, grand fir, [western] hemlock, [sitka] spruce, cedar, [Pacific] dogwood, maples, Indian plum, [red] alder, cascara, elder and hawthorn. In the shade of the trees, thimbleberry, salmonberry, [common] snowberry, wild gooseberry, [red-] flowering currant, involucred fly-honeysuckle [black twinberry], mayflower [false lily-of-the-valley], Dutchmen’s breeches, [Pacific bleeding heart], spring beauty, fringe cup, Bongard’s [little] buttercup, fairybells and [mountain] sweet cicely. Near the cemetery, dentaria [slender toothwort] was seen. Down on the flats near the Indian church we found geranium, whitlow grass [common draba], and lyme [wildrye] grass. A few fungi, mosses, horsetails and ferns were observed on the trip. On the nearby marshy ground [coast] silverweed and cattails were abundant. One person found last year’s tule [marsh] wren’s nest among the cattails. In spite of threatening weather in the morning the afternoon turned out clear and sunny. Before leaving the Reserve, Mr. Bain proposed a vote of thanks to the leader, Prof. Davidson. E.D. E.D. was probably Edna Davidson, devoted second wife to Prof. Davidson. She was the daughter of a Methodist Minister and shared Prof. Davidson’s interest in his local (Baptist) church. She was a good gardener – which John Davidson was not! #40 June 1948 Caulfeild A rainy May 15th morning did not hold good prospects for the trip, but 25 members met at Piccadilly Corner and the weather turned fine for the rest of the afternoon. Rock plants were found and discussed and Professor Davidson explained the differences in this environment from that encountered on our previous trips. It was noted that the vegetation was late this year but not so late as most people had expected in view of the long cool spring. Tea was served at the Harbour Park.
“Between the rhythmical, unfathomed sea, And the rich, warm fecundity of land There lies the sand….” And the salt marsh at Crescent! Under Prof. Davidson’s leadership, 35 members made the trip to Crescent-Ocean Park on May 24th to make the acquaintance of saline-loving and hillside plants. The marsh claimed first attention where at every step salt water oozed up through the vegetation. Salt grass was compared with bunch grass of the dry belt in nutritive value. The low growing sea-green [American] glasswort was examined. On its fleshy short stems were yellow threads of parasitic [salt marsh] dodder whose seeds germinate about a month after the ‘host’ has started its growth. Early Britons made glass by piling glasswort on sand and setting fire to it; the sodium in the plant fused with the silica [in the sand] producing a residue of crude glass. Then another member of the goosefoot family [was found- - atriplex [orache] allied to lamb’s quarters, its leaves covered with waxy globules to prevent evaporation. Two plants of the lesser [sheep] sorrel, one staminate the other pistilate, were growing side by side. Arrowgrass [seaside arrow-grass] (Triglochin) of the lily [rush] family, and the sea [seaside] plantain were compared. Although far removed from each other in the flower kingdom, they are alike in appearance as are the crowberry and heathers of our mountains. Sea-milkwort (Glaux), with fleshy leaves along a short stem, bears no resemblance to its relatives of the primrose family. [Puget Sound] gumweed (so called because of its sticky buds) and sand bur [silver bur-weed], with finely cut leaves, were abundant. Stepping up from the marsh to the sea front, the efficient sand-binder, lyme [wildrye] grass was noted. Its method of conserving moisture and arrangement of the stomata was described. The lesser paint brush [owl-clover] (Orthocarpus), a partial parasite on grass roots [northern?] wormwood, two geraniums, Indian consumption plant [barestem desert-parsley] and the beach pea were seen. A few [Menzies’s] larkspur have survived the encroaching cottage builders. After refreshment at the hotel picnic tables, the party moved east along the railway track to Ocean Park. A few [sitka] columbine in perfect bloom, graced the hillside as did an abundance of [western trumpet] honeysuckle. Speedwell [veronica], fleabane, yellow mimulus [monkey-flower], butterbur and an edible thistle grew beside a surface water ditch near the railway. With leaves pressed close to its stem a branchless arabis [tower mustard] was conspicuous among its associates. This plant reaches a height of six feet. On the gravel near the tracks the woolly leaf [woolly Eriophyllum] was admired. This does not transplant successfully; it seems happiest in its chosen arid, exposed location. The leaf of another small composite Matricaria, was pleasing. When crushed there is an aroma of pineapple – hence its name, pineapple weed. Returning to Crescent along the shore at low tide, rocks were overturned to look for marine forms. Sea pastures of [common] eel-grass were soft under foot. The commercial importance of this flowering plant (Zostera) was stressed. After the salt is washed out it is dried and used extensively for upholstery. #41 and #42 September 1948 Seagull Nests – Howe Sound On Sunday June 13th a small group took a powerboat from Horseshoe Bay to explore the possibilities of the rocks and islets [Christie Island] near Anvil Island. Their findings were all that could have been desired. These islets are used extensively as nesting sites by seagulls and the nesting season was well advanced. Most of the nests contained three eggs. A few young were hatched. Nests covered every available space and it was hard to walk without stepping on them. The gulls were all of the glaucous-winged species. The eggs varied considerably in colour from dark brown to light green, all with similar spots and markings. It was found by a careful count that there were over two hundred nests on the small islet [Pam Rock] and estimated at over one thousand on Christie Island. The nests were fairly well made though rather loosely. The construction materials were grasses and pieces of stick, bits of seaweed and moss and small pieces of cedar bough. This last must have been carried from Anvil Island or the mainland. The gulls left their nests as soon as anyone came into view, and the din of several hundred birds flying overhead, reeling and diving, and screaming in protest was quite terrific. A number of harlequin ducks were seen near the rocks and a few western grebes were observed. Of the larger islet (Christie Island), Baird’s [pelagic] cormorants were nesting on ledges along the cliffs. Several nests with their chalky blue eggs were found. These cormorants are beautiful in the nesting season when in full plumage, with white flank patches and green and purple iridescence on their black feathers. The pigeon guillemots were just beginning to nest. Their eggs are rather hard to find as they do not make nests but lay eggs in cracks and crevices in the rocks. The eggs are large for the size of the bird. With their black and white plumage and bright red legs they made pleasing patterns as they grouped themselves on the rocks, waiting for an opportunity to dart into their chosen crevice. Some [northwestern] crows were also nesting on the Island and apparently were constantly at war with the gulls judging from the two dead young crows in pinfeathers and the destroyed gull eggs. The only small bird seen was a song sparrow. A marbled murrelet was seen on the way back. These islets are hardly more than bare rocks exposed to the wind and sea and the droppings of innumerable gulls. However, quite a number of plants were found in the more sheltered places. The sea [seaside] plantain, gooseberry [Ribes sp.], [common] snowberry, Saskatoon, Aruncus (goat’s beard), wild onion [Allium sp.], [Puget Sound ] gumweed, mimulus [yellow-monkey flower], [Nootka] rose, chickweed, beach pea, Amsinckia (fiddlehead) [fiddleneck] and [seaside] arrowgrass. H.K.S. Mammals of U.B.C. area On Saturday, April 24th, Dr. Cowan, accompanied by his small son, conducted a party of five through part of the University area. The weather was wet but nevertheless those present had a most interesting day. Quite a number of small mammals were found in the traps that he had set the day before, in runways in the grass, along ditches, in brush piles etc. Using walnut meat for bait, the mammals caught were a creeping vole (female), a white-footed [deer] mouse, a Scheffer [coast] mole and three shrews – wandering [vagrant] dusky and Bendire’s [Pacific water] shrew. Shrews are carnivorous and one will prey upon its own kind when found in a trap. The following birds were also observed here: peregrine falcon, sparrow hawk [American kestrel], pigeon hawk [merlin], several savannah sparrows, [western] meadowlark and killdeer. After inspecting all the traps, we proceeded through the woods to Wreck Beach where many water birds were seen including Bonaparte’s gulls, red-breasted mergansers, greater scaup, Holboell’s [red-necked] grebes, double-crested cormorants, [American] widgeons, western grebes, and white-winged scoters. Two bald eagles were seen flying and perching in a tall dead tree, the female much larger than the male. Two varieties of edible mushrooms were also found and a large cedar tree bore the marks of a raccoon’s claws. Stuart F. 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