The British Maps of the 49th Parallel of Latitude (1858-1862) UBC Maps Division.
The surveyor Charles Wilson and the naturalist and transport officer, Stanley Keast Lord, both left journals that describe life and wildlife at Camp Sumass which should be understood in the context of this map and their search and control mission. Stanley Keast Lord recorded that Native people did not evacuate the area of Sumas Lake during the mosquito season, but, on the contrary, sought comfort there.
We knew these most unwelcome visitors were to be expected, from Indian information. I must confess I had a vague suspicion that the pests were to be dreaded-; for the crafty redskins had stages erected, or rather fashioned to stout poles driven like piles into the mud at the bottom of the lake. To these platforms over the water they will retire, on the first apearance of mosquitos. Mosquitos never venture far out over the water after once quitting their skin-canoe, this fact the wily savage has taken advantage of. During their "reign of terror," the Indians never come on shore if they can help it, and if they do, they take good care to flog every intruder out of the canoes before reaching the stage. These stages each with a family of Indians living on them, have a most picturesque appearance. The little fleet of Canoes are moored to the poles and the platforms are reached by a ladder made of twisted cedar bark. Often have I slept on these stages among the savages, to avoid being devoured. If you are restless and roll about in your sleep, you stand a very good chance of finding yourself soused in the lake.
Stanley Keast Lord, The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia, London: Richard Bentley, p. 19.