_ and _flora_ are both rapidly
disappearing, there being so many agencies at work for their
destruction. It will soon be too late to save many of our
beautiful birds and animals, and I am anxious to bring
under notice your words for the preservation of animals by
a system of sanctuaries.

Dr. Robert Bell, late Chief Geologist, Geological Survey of Canada,
who has made many explorations in Labrador and adjacent lands and
waters, and who has always given special attention to the mammals,
writes:

I approve very heartily of the plan. It will be a humane
thing to try to protect the animals and will be very
advantageous in every way. It will no doubt receive the
sympathy of all classes. There will, however, be some
difficulties to overcome and much work to be done before the
plan gets into successful operation.... As to the location
and dimensions of the sanctuary, the north side of the lower
St. Lawrence is the most suitable or only region left,
except where it is too far north to benefit the most of the
mammals and birds which we should try to preserve. It will
be desirable to reserve and protect as great a length of the
shore as possible, but perhaps enough will be found between
Bradore bay on the east and Great Mekattina island on the
west, or this might be extended to Natashkwan. To carry it
up to Mingan, it would become more and more difficult to
protect the coast the further up you come. Between Mekattina
island and Natashkwan, there are no attractive rivers to
tempt trespassers to go inland, those which exist being
difficult for canoe navigation....

The animals soon find out where they are safe and come to
live in even a small area. The Algonquin park is a case in
point. There the bears have increased immensely in a few
years and the less noticeable mammals and birds have also
increased very much. I know of a more conspicuous case of a
small area, on the Nelson river, where, owing to an
old-standing superstition of the Indians, the animals have
not been molested for a long period and they have become
much more numerous than elsewhere.... Everything that can be
killed is called Game. Most of it should be called animal
murder and should be discouraged.

The Sanctuary should be placed in charge of a committee of
naturalists. But