Show see tropical spot in arctic circle explorers find hot springs in hidden valley ottawa the often rumored land that time forgot in canada far northward Is a reality and no mere prospectors myth or fragment of indian folklore such Is the positive assurance given by dr J norman henry of philadelphia and his companions who are now homeward bound with the proud distinction of being the first white men who have ever gazed upon the hidden tropical valley which lies iles within the arctic circle in northern british columbia I 1 the valley remains today as it must have been in prehistoric eras before the glacier age swept over north america a luxurious garden of rich tropical growth such as are now common in the equatorial zone the valley located in the mountains near the junction of the rne ing and toad rivers nearly 1000 miles northwest of edmonton Is three quarters of a mile wide and nearly a quarter of a mile in length and Is honeycombed with bubbling hot springs to which it 11 owes its continued existence was too hot to touch and indian guides who know the district vow that the water in the val valley I 1 ey does not freeze even ln irr midwinter mid winter when the surrounding district has a temperature of 50 degrees below zero the expedition was disappointed in its hope ot of finding prehistoric animal life in the valley although professor henry believes that systematic excavation might yield ell preserved remains the best of the vegetation had also been destroyed by fairly recent forest fires but a number of specimens were obtained which are expected to astonish the botanical world for the location of the valley of steaming waters has been a jealously guarded secret among a band of indians inhabiting a section of the peace river area their numbers have been decimated by tuberculosis and other diseases until today only a handful remain and rather than see the secret lost forever three members of the tribe consented to guide the henry expedition to the spot from the indian camp north of fort st john a ten days journey led the party to the valley over a route which would have been impassable but for a collapsible rubber boat which the expedition carried and which enabled them to cross several torrential rivers although no new species ot of animal life were discovered the district is rich in game moose caribou mountain sheep bear and goats being seen tn in large numbers miss mary henry daughter of the expeditions dit ions leader shot two splendid mountain sheep the botanical end of the expedition was dire directed acted by mrs airs henry who collected large numbers of specimens which will be presented to the academy of natural sciences philadelphia and the royal botanical gardens edinburgh doctor henry leader of the expedition Is a retired physician and a former college mate of sir henry thornton president of the canadian national railways |