GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 
 
 OF 
 
 NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 By ABRAHAM GESNER, Esq., Surgeon. 
 
 •• THE EARTH NOT ON1.Y CONTAINS WITHtX HER BOSOM. 
 KtIBSTANCFS THE MOST NECESSARY AND INDISPENSABLE TO 
 srPPLY t"e 'VAN.,* „E man; but ALSO -'HI BITS IN HER 
 TasI museum, the most certain, and IMPERISHABLEftE- 
 \ MIR OWN HISTORY, WRITTEN IN CHARACTERS NOT 
 
 MIStAfN by the most HUMBLE. DESTROYED BY THE 
 most p^Lful. nor blotted out even by time itself.- 
 
 HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 PRINTED BY GOSSIP AND COADE, TIMES OFFICE, 
 HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
t 
 
 To 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT VALENTIA, 
 
 A. M., F. R. S., &c. &c. Scc. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 JIS Your Lordship'" s Visit to Mva Scotia, and 
 enquiries into her Geological Structure, have aided the 
 Cause of Science, and stimulated others in more humble 
 stations, to enter upon pursuits of the highest importance 
 to the Country ; I beg leave to present to Your Lordship, 
 the following Remarks on the Geology and ^Mineralogy 
 of the Province, 
 
 And although they are but limited in regard to the 
 interesting subjects they embrace, it is sincerely hoped that 
 they may be acceptable to one, who delights to cultivate 
 studies of the most usef ul and important character, 
 
 I have much reason to hesitate in laying my humble 
 labours before an Individual, whose superior talents and 
 knowledge, will readily discover their imperfections ; but 
 
all my anxiety on this account is dispelled, uhen I consider 
 the kindness with which permission was given, to dedicate 
 them to Your Lordship. 
 
 Should this Work meet Your Lordship's approbation, 
 it icill then be sufficiently recommended, and / trust prove 
 useful to the Public. 
 
 / have the honor to be 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Lordship's Most Obedient, 
 Humble Servant, 
 ABRAHAM GESNER. 
 
 Parrsborough, Mora Scotia, 
 1836 . 
 
IN writing a Preface, it has become customary for 
 Authors, to declare the several different objects, that in- 
 duced them to give their knowledge to the Public. Some 
 of them have however, made many apologies for sending 
 their ideas abroad, and a few have been impelled onward 
 in their Literary and Scientific pursuits, by the solicita- 
 tions of their contemporaries. In the present instance, a 
 limited number of the Author’s friends, have endeavoured 
 to dissuade him from his object ; while many have been 
 pleased to lend their cheering influence to his support. 
 To the former it is hoped, none of the imperfections of 
 the following pages will be ascribed ; and among all, the 
 credit due to the few merits they contain, should be equally 
 divided. 
 
 Under the patronage of Sir Colin Campbell, who 
 in the Administration of the Government, and in every 
 act of domestic kindness, has promoted the welfare of the 
 Country, even the highest scientific and literary attain- 
 ments would receive additional lustre. How much more 
 then, will the character of the following humble work be 
 elevated, under the auspices of II is Excellency, from 
 
VI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 whom the .\uthor has had the honor to receive numerous 
 acts of personal kindness, and every encouragement amidst 
 his labours. 
 
 Abounding in numerous and important minerals, that 
 are not only indispensably necessary to supply the wants 
 of mankind, hut also those which contribute to his minor 
 necessities, Nova Scotia will maintain a character unri- 
 valled by any country of the same extent. So abundant 
 are mineral substances in tliis Province, and comparatively 
 so little is known of their number and extent, that in the 
 advanced state of science and useful knowledge, any de- 
 velopementof their sources and modes of application, can- 
 not be considered useless. 
 
 While the cultivation of the soil, the mechanical arts, 
 and navigation, solely depend upon the use of metals, the 
 discovery and manufacture of ores, will ever be objects 
 of the greatest national importance ; and the prosperity of 
 a country must depend upon the facilities aflbrded for ob- 
 taining those materials, without which man would be mis- 
 erable indeed. To convince ourselves of these facts, let 
 us refer to savage nations. Even these sharpen the harder 
 stones for various purposes. To them small pieces of 
 iron have been invaluable, and a knowledge of minerals is 
 among the principal of those improvements, which have 
 elevated such nations from a state of barbarism, to one of 
 a moral and dignified character. 
 
 Throughout that extensive chain of civilization, from 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Vll 
 
 the hi^iiest to the lowest grades of society, mineral and 
 metallic substances hold an important station, whether 
 they are employed in the })longh of the farmer, the hook 
 of the fisherman, the anchor that holds the ship, the can- 
 non of the battery, or sparkle in the crown of the sove- 
 reign. 
 
 In the department of Mineralogy, Mohs, Mausmann, 
 Jameson, and Cleveland, have produced regular systems, 
 which supported by the improved state of chemistry, and 
 the discoveries of Sir Humphrey Davy, Braude, Vanque- 
 lin, Klaproth, and other distinguished chemists, have 
 made mankind acquainted with the elementary substances 
 of almost all mineral compounds. 
 
 The labours of Count Sternburg, Professor Lindley, 
 and Brongniart, have opened a new source of enquiry irito 
 antediluvian botany ; while the discoveries of the celebra- 
 ted Doctor Buckland and Baron Cuvier, have exhibited 
 numerous classes of enormous animals, now inhumed in 
 the earth. The relative ages of the diilerent classes of 
 rocks in England, have been clearly demonstrated in the 
 admirable work of Conybeare and Philips, from which 
 Dr. Ure, of Glasgow, has drawn just conclusions in re- 
 ference to the former condition of the globe, and the 
 deluge recorded by Moses. But it was the task of Mr. 
 Lycll, to collect the scattered fragments of Geological 
 Science, and erect a beacon to guide the wandering stu- 
 dent in the path of philosophical U*uth, and to solve those 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 I 
 I 
 
 § 
 
 1 ' 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
difficulties theoretical writers had thrown in the naturally 
 obscure way. 
 
 The Author of the following Remarks has been de- 
 sirous to supply some of the testimony afforded among 
 the Rocks of Nova Scotia, which support the opinions, 
 and correspond with the discoveries of distinguished Na- 
 turalists in Europe. But more especially has his object 
 been, to arouse the attention of the inhabitants of the 1 lo- 
 vince, to a due estimation of the advantages they possess, 
 and the resources Providence has placed within their 
 reach. 
 
 That the Farmer may obtain a just knowledge of the 
 soil he cultivates ; the Legislator be made acquainted with 
 the sources of public wealth and economy ; that the Natu- 
 ral Philosopher may be assisted in his pursuits ; and lastly, 
 that the Theologian may draw from the earth the surest 
 testimony of Holy Writ,” are certainly objects worthy 
 of far better talents than the Author can ever possess. 
 But if his humble labours shall be the means of leading 
 those w’ho are better qualified, into similar but more ex- 
 tensive enquiries, his object w'ill be gamed. With such 
 motives he fears not an honest criticism ^ for any attempt 
 to correct errors, which may have stolen their way upon 
 his pages, will lead to useful examinations, and further 
 the design of his work. 
 
 The thick forests that occupy extensive portions of 
 the Province, and cover her mountainous ranges of land, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 added to other difficulties, whicli to the Geologist in new 
 countries are insurmountable, have prevented the Author 
 from pursuing his enquiries vvitli that particular research 
 the subject requires. He has nevertheless examined each 
 section of the country at such places as are accessible, 
 and endeavoured to obtain the most accurate information 
 by actual inspection. He is aware that the appearance of 
 many of the less important localities is changing, by the 
 clearing of the earth’s surface, and the destruction con- 
 stantly advancing among the rocks. Those changes how- 
 ever, only affect the outward garb, while the rocks and 
 minerals will be found at or near the places described. 
 
 In a book intended for the perusal of the general 
 reader, it has been considered proper to affix a short In- 
 troduction to the studies of Geology and Mineralogy. 
 Some of the matter contained in the latter has been derived 
 from Professor Cleveland’s work. The Introduction to 
 Geology will be found to agree with the best modern sys- 
 tems extant. Those who would obtain a more extensive 
 knowledge of these Sciences, must consult more elaborate 
 treatises. 
 
 'riie Author has received some information from the 
 remarks of Messrs. Jackson and Alger, of Boston, and 
 from Mr. Haliburton’s excellent History of Nova Scotia. 
 For the correct and beautiful drawing of the Village at 
 Partridge Island, he is indebted to Miss Jeffery. He also 
 expresses his sincere thanks to George 11. Young, Esq., 
 
 } 
 
 B 
 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 and all those Gentlemen who have kindly become his 
 Agents throughout the Provinces. 
 
 It is truly pleasing to observe, that a taste for scien- 
 tific pursuits is fast gaining ground in Nova Scotia. Alrea- 
 dy several gentlemen have embarked in the study of Nat- 
 ural History, and it is hoped that their united efforts will 
 not only disclose those interesting facts which serve as 
 subjects of speculation, but such as will lead to the prac- 
 tical improvement of the country. 
 
 Is it not singular, that a Province containing coal, 
 iron, copper, lead, and all those inferior minerals used in 
 nianufactories, should import her metals across the Atlan- 
 tic ? Why should granite, marble, and even limestone, 
 be conveyed to those very shores where they abound ? Is 
 it not wonderful that a vast amount of sluggish capital 
 should He dormant in the hands of its possessors, w hen so 
 many channels of enterprise might be opened, and the 
 surplus earnings of the country be retained among its in- 
 habitants ? These are questions which require answers 
 from Legislators, while science is opening the w^ay .to 
 those improvements, which can alone enrich the Colony, 
 and render its inhabitants more industrious and happy. 
 
 In the description of minerals, repetitions have been 
 avoided as far as possible. When the same mineral oc- 
 curs at several different places, the mo.st particular des- 
 cription has been given of it, and the locality where it 
 occurs under its most perfect forms ; and the best speci- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XI 
 
 ✓ 
 
 mens have been selected, when giving the details of their 
 properties. A description of the less important associa- 
 tions has been omitted altogether ; for so numerous are 
 the Mineralogical and Fossil substances in the countiy, 
 that a full description of each variety, would fill a volume 
 of no ordinary dimensions. Nor does the Author give 
 more than a brief outline of these important branches of 
 Natural History, so far as they are connected with Nova 
 Scotia. So numerous are the objects of these depart- 
 ments, and so wide the field of their discovery, not only 
 would it be impossible to give an account of them in a 
 pocket volume, but require years of laborious investigation 
 to collect, and arrange them. 
 
 The mineral springs are included in the description 
 of the rocks where they occur. The discovery of the 
 bones of the mammalia, in Cape Breton, and the teeth 
 of animals belonging to that class, and bones of fish in 
 Nova Scotia Proper, awaken in the mind new sensations. 
 If the study of Geology be yet in its infancy in otlier 
 countries, it must be almost unborn in this Province, 
 where facts of the greatest interest to the Natural Philo- 
 sopher, are almost daily developing the condition ol the 
 antediluvian world, and placing the country upon a foot- 
 ing highly interesting and important. 
 
 The following work has been divided into four parts, 
 corresponding with four natural Geological divisions ot 
 the Country. Each part is subdivided and distinguished 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 xii 
 
 by having the name of a Township or particular locality, 
 placed before it, and to which the Index refers. Ihere- 
 fore, an account of any particular place may be refeired to 
 without delay, and the eye is relieved from time to time, 
 by the different heads under which the subjects are ar- 
 ranged. 
 
 The Author has endeavoured to avoid any appearance 
 of error, but is sensible nevertheless, that the Work may 
 contain some, in regard to the distances from one place 
 to another. In numerous instances those distances have 
 never been accurately measured, and he has therefoie 
 been guided by the opinion of respectable inhabitants. 
 
 It was not intended, when the Prospectus of this 
 Work was written, to give a Geological Map of the Pro- 
 vince, or any pictorial illustrations of its scenery ; but 
 from the very general support the book has received, a 
 Map has been prepared, at a considerable additional ex- 
 pense, which will enhance its utility. T.he increased 
 price of the Volume, in consequence, will be no object, 
 compared with the advantages to be received by this ge- 
 neral view of the rocks and most important minerals of 
 the country. 
 
 He might plead as an apology for some of the im- 
 perfections of the Work, that it has not been prepared 
 with leisure and retirement. On the contrary, amidst the 
 arduous duties of a laborious profession, and under the 
 annoyance of perpetual interruption, most ot the follow- 
 
iiig pages have been written ; or during the silent Ijours 
 of midnight, when the labour but not the fatigue of iha 
 day, had departed. 
 
 Some years have elapsed since he commenced an 
 eiKjuiry into the subjects treated of ; but not suj)posing 
 that they would ever be made public, the labour of arrang- 
 ing a mass of detached notes, taken under a variety of 
 circumstances, has greatly increased the task. 
 
 He knows however, the futility of these apologies, 
 and although he feels the pecuniary loss he has sustained, 
 by indulging in his favourite pursuits, he will be amply 
 rewarded if his labours shall in any degree j)romote the 
 study of Natural History in the Province, or prove useful 
 to his countrymen. 
 
 ABRAHAM GESNER. 
 
 Pakrsboiiough, July lb36. 
 

 
 ^ 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 STUDY OF GEOLOGY. 
 
 GEOLOGY is that Science which investigates the 
 nature and properties of the various substances which 
 compose the earth. It examines their laws, combina- 
 tions, and relations, the changes they have undergone at 
 difterent periods, and finally establishes a correct theory 
 of the formation of all the materials of which the globe is 
 constructed. 
 
 Many of the ancient philosophers doubtless, never 
 extended their views upon this subject, beyond the gene- 
 ral and limited account given by Moses, whose record of 
 the creation of the world is supported by the voice of 
 inspiration, and the strongest testimony that can be ad- 
 duced to support facts believed by all Christian nations. 
 It was not necessary for the author of the Pentateuch, to 
 record any details of the formation of the earth, but to 
 state such important facts as would establish the faith ol 
 every Christian believer. And no reasonable mind can^ 
 consider a more minute enquiry into this department of 
 Natural History, irreverent to the Sacred Scriptures, as all 
 such investigations must be conducted by the human 
 mind, which with all we behold in creation, was formed 
 by Him, who hath made the earth by His power, and 
 established the world by his wisdom.” 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XV 
 
 Willi the Geological opinions of the ancient philo- 
 sophers, we are unacquainted ; and those which history 
 has recorded must be considered extremely wdiimsical, 
 and blended with much error and superstition. It was 
 not until the days of VV^erner, Hutton, and others, that 
 anything like a tangible theory was adopted. Since that 
 period, modern discoveries have placed this Science upon 
 reasonable grounds at least, all hough even now" the read- 
 er w ill perhaps be startled at some conclusions which the 
 modern Geologist will endeavour to sustain, and some of 
 those wdiich recent discoveries have proved to be correct. 
 
 GEOLOGICAL THEORIES. 
 
 It is absolutely necessary, that before any substance 
 can be crystalized, that it first be made fluid, or suspend- 
 ed in some solvent ; and it is generally admitted, that the 
 agent employed in the formation of minerals, must have 
 been either aqueous or igneous. For without the action 
 of one of those agents, it would be inqiossible to account 
 for the phenomena the mineral kingdom presents. Two 
 systems of Geology have therefore been advanced and 
 supported, "and the disciples of each have done much 
 good to the Science, by the facts they have produced to 
 establish their favourite opinions. Those who believe 
 water was the solvent employed, are called Neptunians, 
 and those who give the preference to caloric, as the 
 agent referred to, are denominated Vulcanists, or they 
 •are called Wernerians and Huttonians, from the theories 
 Werner and Hutton supported. 
 
 THEORY OF BUFFON. 
 
 This author endeavours to prove, that the earth is 
 the ruins of a former world. He says, “ The surface of 
 
XVI 
 
 INTROnUCTION. 
 
 tills immense Globe exl.ibils to our observation, heights, 
 tieplbs, plains, seas, marshes, rivers, caverns, gulphs, 
 volcanoes ; and on a cursory view of these objects, we 
 can discover in their disposition, neither order nor regu- 
 larity. If we penetrate into the bowels of the earth, we 
 find metals, minerals, stone, bitumen, sands, eartlis, 
 waters, and matter of every Jtind, placed as it were by 
 mere accident, and without any apparent design. Upon 
 a nearer and more attentive inspection, we discover 
 sunken mountains, caverns filled up, shattered rocks, 
 whole countries swallowed up, new islands emerged from 
 the ocean, heavy substances placed above light ones, hard 
 bodies inclosed within soft bodies ; m a word, we find 
 matter in every, form, dry and humid, warm and cold, 
 solid and brittle, blended in a chaos of confusion, which 
 can be compared to nothing hut a heap of ruhhish, or the 
 ruins of a former world.” He believed that great revo- 
 lutions took place in the earth in the early ages, after its 
 creation, and that the land we now inhabit was formerly 
 covered for a long time by the sea. Hence shells and 
 other marine fossils are now found upon the tops of tlie 
 iiighest mountains. The vast continents of Asia, Europe, 
 Africa, and America, were then at the bottom of an im- 
 mense ocean, and covered with every thing which the 
 present sea produces. The ebbing and flowing of the 
 tides, and the diurnal motion of the earth, he thought were 
 quite sufljcient to account for the spheroidal shape of the 
 earth, the formation and elevation of continents, and the 
 phenomena of stratification this globe presents. The veins 
 and fissures so common in rocks, were formed when the 
 newly constructed planet was undergoing the process of 
 drying, and therefore it cracked in the manner of clay 
 when exposed to the sun. Some large openings were 
 formed by the falling in of caverns in the earth, and thus 
 the Straits of 'riiermopyla?, Gibraltar, the gaps in Mount 
 
XVII 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Caucasus, aiul the Cordilleras, were produced. It will 
 be unnecessary to proceed any farther in the theory which 
 this celebrated man endeavoured to establish, but one that 
 can never be believed ; as he finally informs us that the 
 earth and all the planets in the solar system, were origi- 
 nally parts of the sun himself, and that they W'ere detached ' 
 from his body by the stroke of a comet ! With what 
 miglity force must tliat comet have been propelled ! And 
 how very singular that the pieces knocked oft’ from the 
 sun, are so regular in their dimensions and movements. 
 These reflections will remind us of the state of Geologi- 
 cal knowledge in his day ; and while his name will long 
 be remembered as a Naturalist, his opinions in regard to 
 the Formation of the Earth, w ill only be quoted to amuse 
 his successors in the Science. 
 
 THEORY OF WERNER, or, Aqueous Theory. 
 
 At sojne very remote period, this globe was for a 
 long time suspended in w ater, so that the tops of the high- 
 est mountains were then submersed. The water was un- 
 disturbed by rarified air, and not agitated by currents. 
 
 In this vast collection of water, all the particles which 
 now' form the exterior coats of tliis earth, were held in 
 solution. In this fluid was the nucleus of the earth, and 
 cryslaline deposits w'ere made, investing the nucleus like 
 the coats of an orange, thereby forming the Primitive 
 Rocks of granite, gneiss, and all those which are destitute 
 of organic remains. In this original deposit no animal or 
 vegetable relics are to be found. Nor have any round 
 pebbles been discovered in them ; but in the first collec- 
 tion of earthy particles upon their surfaces, shells and 
 fragments occasionally occur. These are therefore called 
 Transition Rocks, in consequence of the earth having 
 passed as it is supposed, from a chaotic to an habitable 
 
 c 
 
condiilon during iheir formation. At this period the ocean 
 became filled with the finny tribes. The vvaan-s upon the 
 earth now began to subside. They contained divided 
 particles of the original rocks, which particles were de- 
 posited upon the nucleus, in horizontal layers. These 
 layers contain many organic remains, and were called by 
 Werner, Floetz, or vSecondary Rocks. 
 
 During the subsidence of the waters, the primitive 
 rocks were worn down by the violence of currents, and 
 the particles contained in the water, were consequently 
 deposited at a lower level than the tops of the highest 
 mountains, w-hich had emerged from the great deep, and 
 could receive no further accumulation of particles from 
 the solution. 
 
 Werner believed that through the agencies of wind, 
 and disturbed slate of the remaining ocean, violent cur- 
 rents w’ere produced, which wore down and carried away 
 large quantities of the primitive, transition, and secondary 
 rocks in some places, and made large deposits in others, 
 whereby inequalities of surface were produced. Hence 
 mountains were formed, and those deep ravines wdiich are 
 every wdiere exposed. As the waters continued to sub- 
 side, deposits were still going forward that produced clay , 
 gravel, and what are now termed alluvial formations. The 
 water at last observed a proper level. Its bounds were 
 fixed, and the surface of the earth became inhabited. 
 
 There are a variety of substances that do not appear 
 in regular layers upon the earth, but are only met wdth 
 occasionally under very irregular limits, and uncertain 
 dimensions.^ Rock salt, coal, limestone, basalt, with 
 others of that character, are thus distinguished, and were 
 called by Werner, subordinate formations. He has also 
 another class of rocks produced by subterraneous fires, 
 w’ith w*hich his classification of strata is concluded. He 
 has arranged all the rocks under the terms primitive, trail- 
 
siliol), sccoiulary, alluvial, subortiiiiaic and volcanic j)io- 
 duclioiis. 
 
 ll will doubtless be observed, that no atteinj)l has 
 been made to enter into the niinute descriptions, and ex- 
 tensive details given by this celebrated Geologist : such 
 is not the object ol this work, but merely to give a gene- 
 ral outline ol a theory which has been sirongly supporied, 
 and has certainly many facts favourable to conclusions to 
 which it leads. With many positions evidently correct, 
 it is mixed with hypothetical notions that cannot be ad- 
 mitted. To the Neptunian theory there are many objec- 
 tions, and although its general outlines may be correct, 
 modern discoveries have decided that many of its details 
 are altogether absurd and inconsistent. It pre-supposes 
 the solubility of many minerals in water, a thing impossi- 
 ble in the present slate of our knowledge. It cannot 
 account for the inclining and vertical position of rocks ; 
 and although it may give a satisfactory explanation for the 
 organic remains of marine productions, it affords not a 
 shadow of reason to account for super-marine fossils. — 
 AVhen the whole of the earth’s surface is taken into con- 
 sideration, the Theory of Werner must be given up, as 
 many of its doctrines are much at variance with plain mat- 
 ter of fact. 
 
 THEORY OF HUTTON, or, Igneous Theory. 
 
 Du. Hutton believed that the whole surface of the 
 earth was undergoing a gradual decay, and that the de- 
 structive process furnished the materials for the regener- 
 ation, and support of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 
 'Fhat the malerials of former continents, were by the 
 action of the atmosphere and water, transported and 
 deposited in the bottom of ancient seas. The summits 
 of the loftiest inoun tains yielded lo currents of air, and the 
 
XX 
 
 I INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tempestnoiis action of rains. The particles dissemmatet 
 by these causes were carried downward, and in their 
 course supiilied fertile vallies, and finally filled the reser- 
 voirs of the mighty deep. That by the action of subter- 
 raneous fires, the same materials were elevated to form 
 continents and islands. Some rocks were only softened 
 and thrown upwards, while granite and other unstratified 
 formations, were completely melted and forced in a per- 
 pendicular direction through the incumbent strata. And 
 by the same means, veins of ore were filled by metallic 
 materials, thrown upwards into the strata above. 1 he 
 Doctor’s theory intimates, that the transition and second- 
 ary rocks of Werner, were collected at the bottom of the 
 ocean, through the medium of operations still acting upon 
 the earth ; and that the primary rocks were formed be- 
 neath them by the action of heat. This opinion is sup- 
 ported by the crystaline texture, hardness and fracture 
 they have produced, of the secondary rocks with which 
 they have come in contact. Hence by the action of sub- 
 terraneous fires, rocks have been hardened, and those 
 changes produced that the surface of the earth now exhi- 
 bits. The production of alluvium and the various kinds 
 of soil are explained in a similar manner in both theories. 
 Thus, by water the materials of rocks have been produced, 
 and by fitc they have been elevated and rendered solid. 
 
 This theory has received able support from the pen 
 of Mr. Playfair, whose talents would not have been lost 
 upon any subject, and whose style and eloquence will long 
 be admired. But how will this theory accord with the 
 fact, that often in stratified rocks there is a sudden change 
 from one stratum to another. ^ Beds o( shale, coal, sand- 
 stone, &c., alternate with each other, and are sometimes 
 found under beds of limestone. How could such a vari- 
 ety occur from one distinct and uniform cause ? What 
 would have become of the pyrites contained in sulphur 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XXI 
 
 and in aiitluacite ? And what would have become of coal 
 had intense heat been applied ? The circmnslances 
 already staled, would be more likely to result Irom aque- 
 ous solution. 
 
 THEORY OF BURNET. 
 
 The theory of Burnet seems to have been similar 
 to that of Mutton, in some particulars. The following 
 passage is certainly very sublime, and was highly eulo- 
 gized by Steele. 
 
 ‘‘ Let us now*’ says he, “ reflect on the transient 
 glory of the earth ; how by the force of one element 
 breaking loose upon the rest, all the beauties of nature, 
 each work of art, and every labour of man, were reduc- 
 ed to nothing : all that once seemed admirable is now 
 obliterated, all that was great and magnificent has van- 
 ished, and another form and face of things, plain, simple, 
 and uniform, overspreads the earth. AVhere are now^ the 
 Empires of the world ; where the Imperial cities, the 
 pillars, trophies, and monuments of glory ? what remains, 
 what impressions, or distinctions do you now behold ? 
 what has become of Rome, the great city : of eternal 
 Rome, the Empress of the world, whose foundations 
 were so deep, whose palaces were so sumptuous ? — Her 
 hour is come : she is wiped from the face of the earth, 
 and buried in everlasting oblivion. But not the cities 
 only, and the works of men’s hands, but the hills, and 
 mountains, and rocks of the earth are melted as wax be- 
 fore the sun, and their place is no where found ; ail have 
 vanished, and dropped away like the snow which once 
 rested upon their summits.”'^ This quotation accords 
 well with one from The art of Preserving Health” by 
 Armstrong, who has given the following beautiful passage. 
 
 * Ruriiei's Theory, Vol. 11. page 25. 
 
;ii INTUODUCTION. 
 
 “ What does not fade ; the tower that long had stood 
 The crash of thunder and the warring winds, d f. 
 Shook by the slow but sure destroyer Time, ■ ; = ' 
 Now hangs in doubtful ruins o’er its base ; ^ 
 
 Aud flinty pyramids, and walls of brass 
 Descend ; the Babylonian spires are sunk : 
 
 Achaia, Home, and Egypt, moulder down. 
 
 Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones, 
 
 And tottering Empires rush by their own weight. 
 This huge rotundity we tread grows old, 
 
 And all those worlds which roll around the sun — 
 The sun himself shall die, and ancient Night 
 Again involve the desolate abyss.” 
 
 MODERN GEOLOGICAL THEORY. 
 
 The Earth is a spheroidal body, the diameter from 
 pole to pole is somewhat less than that which passes 
 through the equator. It is composed of land and water. 
 Surrounded by an atmosphere adapted to the animals that 
 inhabit its surfiice, the earth has an annual motion pro- 
 ducing the changes of season, and a diurnal motion which 
 gives day and night. The sun and moon have a great 
 influence upon the ocean, and produce tides. The stir- 
 face of the dry land is beautifully diversified, with hills, 
 and valleys, plains and hollows, rocks and earths, of va- 
 rious kinds. The bottom of the ocean corresponds with 
 the earth, and is equally irregular. Islands are the tops 
 of vast mountains, whose summits are elevated above the 
 level of the sea. Were the sea to be lowered to any 
 considerable distance, it would exhibit new islands and 
 continents, similar to those now inhabited by man. On 
 the earth there are tempestuous regions, where the ele- 
 ments rage at some seasons with great and irresistible 
 fury. In some siluaiious there are water-spouts and 
 
INTROnUOTiON. 
 
 XXIJl 
 
 whirlpools ; there are also volcanoes, from which fire, 
 water, sulphur, and bitumen, are emitted, producing hor- 
 ror and dismay among all who behold them. Again, there 
 ■ are gulphs and cataracts, the liiddon causes of earthquakes, 
 and all those internal commotions which have existed 
 since the world was created. On the other hand, there 
 are vast regions of eternal snows, from whence moun- 
 tains of ice float to warmer latitudes, dissolve and are seen 
 no more. 
 
 •’ The mineral kingdom is not under the influence of 
 climate ; rocks are similar in polar and equatorial regions. 
 "The volcanic fires of Iceland are equal in greatness to 
 those near the Line, so that it may be said the solid parts 
 of the earth, are altogether independent of the influence 
 ))roduced by the surrounding j)lanets upon the softer ma- 
 terials of the globe. Rocks and minerals are similar in 
 different countries. 
 
 It is well ascertained that the crust of the earth con- 
 *'sists of a number of layers or strata, diflbring from each 
 other in their structure and composition. The elementary 
 t substances of which they are composed are few in number, 
 but variously mixed. They are in general siliceous, cal- 
 careous, or argillaceous. The difi'erent layers or classes 
 of rocks, are placed in beautiful and regular order. Those 
 which have been discovered at the greatest depths, are 
 found in every instance to be the lowest in the order of 
 super-position, and those that appear near the surface are 
 never found beneaih them. Sometimes the lowest form- 
 ations appear on the surface, and often form the summits 
 of the highest mountains. In such instances they are un- 
 covered by those layers, which in other places are depo- 
 I sited upon them in the greatest regularity. ^ 
 
 There is perhaps no situation on the earth, where 
 all the different classes of rocks can be found existing 
 from their lowest to their highest formations ; bnt in dif- 
 
XXIV 
 
 IXTUODUCTION. 
 
 fciont places they are all exposed ; and aliliough some of 
 the intervening series or strata, n.ay bo wanting to com- 
 plete the order of the dillbrent layers, the next in suc- 
 cession fills its place, and the greatest harmony pre- 
 
 served. This fact will be better explained by refen mg 
 to the classification of rocks, and iho relations they have 
 to each other. 
 
 The crust of tlie globe presents three distinct series 
 of substances. The first of these, and that upon which 
 tlie others rest, is called the Primary or unstratified rocks. 
 These ajipear to be coeval with the world, and afiord a 
 compact and substantial foundation for the less solid ma- 
 terials placed upon them. 
 
 The second series was evidently formed at a more 
 recent date, and present a stratified texture. 1 ho strata 
 are variously inclined, and always meet the primary rocks 
 beneath. The different layers composing this series, 
 have been denominated Secondary Rocks. These con- 
 tain many organic remains, pebbles, and a great number 
 of metallic and mineral substances, indefinitely combined. 
 
 Modern Geologists have established another series, 
 which they have called Tertia Rocks. These appear to 
 have been deposited after a remarkable change bad taken 
 place in the secondary strata. They are very different 
 from the rocks beneath them, and constitute all the vari- 
 eties found above the layers of chalk. 
 
 There cannot be any doubt that the Primary Rocks 
 were formed by a process very different from that of the 
 other series : all their characters seem to prove that they 
 were elevated from the interior of the earth in a state of 
 fusion, or in a fluid and elastic condition. They appear 
 to have been raised by a great force, as the strata placed 
 above them are singularly penetrated by their ejections 
 from beneath. There is a great similarity between the 
 Primary Rocks and the products of volcanoes, and the 
 
II' 
 
 INTRODUCTION. XXV 
 
 numerous observations recently made upon this subject, 
 clearly exhibit the greatest analogy between the certain 
 and distinguishable eli'ects of volcanoes, and the pljenorn- 
 ena presented by the minute disseminations of the Prim- 
 ary rocks that have been forced upwards into the Second-* 
 ary formations. 
 
 The Secondary Rocks always lie above those called 
 Primary. Their regular and parallel aiTangement, the 
 pieces of pre-existing rocks, the remains of organic bodies 
 they contain, and every circumstance connected with their 
 composition, arrangement, and situation, clearly prove 
 that they were formed under water, by having their con- 
 stituent particles thrown downwards from the surface. 
 And it may be truly said, that ‘‘every stratum contains 
 within its own domains records of its past history, writ- 
 ten in characters intelligible to all nations, which no pos- 
 sible events can falsify or destroy.” These records have 
 enabled Geologists to arrive at some just conclusions res- 
 pecting the relative ages of rocks, which possess almost 
 all the certainty of mathematical demonstration. 
 
 In the secondary rocks are included a great variety 
 of different beds of stone, which have been classed in the 
 following order, descending from the chalk downwards. 
 The Chalk Group, 
 
 The Oolite Group, 
 
 The Red Marl Group, 
 
 The Coal Group, 
 
 The Mountain Limestone Group, 
 
 The Old Red Sandstone Group. 
 
 The Graywacke Group. 
 
 The following classification of Rocks in Great Bri- 
 tain is easily understood, and has been extensively applied. 
 Such as require more minute divisions, should consult the 
 admirable work of Conybeare and Philips, on the Geol- 
 ogy of England and Wales. 
 
 D 
 
 
xxvi 
 
 
 introduction. 
 
 Primitive. 
 
 
 1. 
 
 Granite, 
 
 a Gneiss, 
 h Mica Slate. 
 
 
 2. 
 
 Porphyry, 
 
 k 
 
 a. 
 
 Serpentine, 
 
 V 3 
 
 
 c Steatite, 
 
 a 
 
 4. 
 
 Marble. 
 
 P3 
 
 
 SECONDARY ROCKS. 
 
 
 1. 
 
 Clay Slate, 
 
 o 
 
 
 a Graywacke, 
 
 
 2. 
 
 Transition Limestone, 
 
 
 3. 
 
 Old Red Sandstone, 
 
 c 
 
 4. 
 
 Coal, 
 
 • 
 
 
 h Argillaceous Iron-stone, 
 
 
 5. 
 
 Red Sandstone (JWic.) 
 
 
 6. 
 
 Limestone, 
 
 
 7. 
 
 Chalk. 
 
 
 
 Isolated Rocks. 
 
 
 Trap Rocks, 
 
 a Greenstone, 
 
 b Basalt, 
 c Amygdaloid, 
 d Toadstone. 
 
 The Tertiary Rocks contain a great variety of lime- 
 stones, sandstones, clays, pebbles and sands, separated 
 from each other into different groups, by distinct charac- 
 ters. They contain the remains of quadrupeds, birds, 
 and near the surface the bones of mammalia. In this class 
 of Rocks the organic remains are generally similar to those 
 of animals now inhabiting the earth. This important dis- 
 covery distinguishes its strata from those of Secondary 
 formations, in which among all the numerous fossil re- 
 mains of plants, and the animal creation, few have been 
 found belonging to classes now existing upon this globe. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXvii 
 
 Wherefore it is believed that their inliabitants must have 
 been destroyed previous to tlie consolidation of the Ter- 
 tiary strata. 
 
 It is not the object of this work, to enter into the 
 details connected with the evidences brought forward to 
 snppoit the modern theory of Geology. Perhaps enough 
 has been already introduced, which il aided bv common 
 observation, will convince the reader that the Secondary 
 and lertiary Rocks have been deposited from some fluid 
 in which their particles were held in solution. But in 
 order to give some })roof of the elevation of the Primary 
 Rocks, it may be added, that “ near the Island of San- 
 torina, in the Archipelago, an Island rose from the sea 
 1 14 years before the Christian era ; in 1573 another Island 
 arose at the same place. In 1707 a third appeared. In 
 the year 1822, a whole line of coast, extending more than 
 one hundred miles, arose four feet above its former level. 
 A portion of Cutch, near the mouth of the Indus, includ- 
 ing sixty miles of the coast, was raised sixteen feet above 
 its original height, by an earthquake. New mountains 
 were formed in Mexico, in the year 1759. A new Island 
 apj)eared off the coast of Sicil}^ in the year 1831.*’ And 
 many other occurrences of a similar kind might be cited, 
 all of which prove, that elevations of the Rocks liave 
 taken place from time to time since the world was first 
 created. 
 
 From the foregoing circumstances, and the numer- 
 ous facts that have been observed. Geologists have arrived 
 at the following conclusions. — That all the elementary 
 particles of the Secondary Rocks, have been at some re- 
 mote period held in solution by water, and deposited in 
 layers as they now occur, and have embraced the animals 
 and plants, the remains of which now' appear in them. 
 That the Primary Rocks on the other hand, have at dif- 
 ferent periods since, or during the formation of the see- 
 
XXVlll 
 
 INTUODUCTION. 
 
 ondary strata, been thrown upwards in a state of fusion, 
 and thereby have penetrated the superincumbent rocks, 
 or become elevated so as to form the summits of the high- 
 est mountains. And finally, tliat the Tertiary strata are 
 of much later origin than either, as they contain the re- 
 mains of animals now existing upon the earth. 
 
 It only remains to take some notice of a very singu- 
 lar and important class of Rocks, which occur both in Pri- 
 mary and Secondary countries ; and are as much varied 
 in their character and appearance, as they are in their 
 situation. We mean the Trap Rocks of Werner, and 
 the Whinstones of Hutton. They include all the forma- 
 tions called greenstone, basalt, amygdaloid and loadstone. 
 The columnar basalt forms those celebrated and beautiful 
 structures of the Island of Staffa, one of the Hebrides ; 
 and the Giant’s Causeway, upon the coast of Antrim, 
 Ireland. This class of rocks is now generally believed to 
 be of volcanic origin, from its great similarity to more 
 recent lava. Its rocks contain many varieties of crystal- 
 ized minerals, and form the most stupendous cliffs of Nova 
 Scotia. 
 
 
1^TR0DUCTI0^^ 
 
 XXJX 
 
 i, 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 STUDY OF MINERALOGY. 
 
 — ® — 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 1. MINERALOGl is the Science wliicli obtains 
 a correct knowledge of the properties, relations, and com- 
 binations of all mineral substances, and enables us to dis- 
 tinguish, arrange, and describe them. 
 
 2. Chemical Mineralogy investigates the chemical 
 properties, and discovers the elementary parts of mineral 
 compounds. 
 
 3. Geographical Mineralogy informs us where min- 
 erals are found, and the particular situation where they 
 are deposited. 
 
 4. Simple minerals are composed of similar parti- 
 cles, and are homogeneous. 
 
 .5. Compound minerals are composed of more than 
 one simple sub.stance, united or attached to other sub- 
 stances. 
 
 G. In the study of Mineralogy, it is often necessary 
 to seek the assistance of philosophy, chemistry, and nat- 
 ural history, to obtain a correct knowledge of the mineral 
 under examination, 
 
 7. In order to arrange minerals into proper classes 
 and orders, it is necessary in the investigation of their 
 
properties, to consider all the characters they present. 
 Those characters are divided into physical and chemical. 
 Each of those divisions includes a great variety of cir- 
 cumstances, that should be duly considered. 
 
 8. The most important of all the physical proper- 
 ties of minerals, is that by whicli those regular solid bo- 
 dies are formed, called crystals. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 CRYSTALOGRAPIIY. 
 
 1 . Crystal I z ATI o.N is a very remarkable process, 
 whereby all the simple mineral substances arrange them- 
 selves into regular and determinate bodies, surrounded by 
 plain faces, right lines, and angles well defined. 
 
 2. From the regular forms crystals present, it is 
 evident that the various particles of which they arc com- 
 posed, have also regular forms. These particles by che- 
 mical attraction and affinity, unite themselves layer upon 
 layer, in the manner cannon shot are sometimes piled, so 
 that a perfect form, bounded by right lines, is produced. 
 
 3. The integrant particles of every simple sub- 
 stance, always possess similar figures. Hence it might 
 be supposed that any collection of such particles, would 
 possess a similar figure : but such is not the case, for 
 different combinations assume different forms, and differ- 
 ent causes produce this seeming want of harmony. 
 
 4. Therefore the same mineral will often appear 
 under very different forms. For instance, carbonate of 
 lime, having a rhomboid for its primitive form, will exhi- 
 bit a hexaedral prism, and a dodecaedron, with triangular 
 or pentagonal faces. 
 
 5. The diflV-rence in the forms of crystals, arise 
 from a different anangernent of their integrant particles. 
 Thus cubic crystals of the sulphuret of iron, will some- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XXXl 
 
 times so arrange themselves, as to produce a cube, an 
 
 ociaedron, and a solid contained under twenty triangular 
 faces. 
 
 Primitive Forms. 
 
 Every substance capable of crysfalization, lias one 
 particular form natural to itself. This is called its pri- 
 imtive form. But an accumulation of particles in a de- 
 creasing ratio, may take place upon any of the sides of 
 the piimitive foim, so as to produce a great variety of 
 figures. For an example,— all the diflerent secondary 
 forms of the garnet are reduceable to one, by mechani- 
 cal division ; and its primitive form in every instance, 
 will be found a dodecaedron. 
 
 The following are the primitive forms of crystals, so 
 far as they have yet been discovered. — 1, The Cube ; 
 2, the regular Tetrahedron ; 3, the regular Octahedron ; 
 4, the rhombic Dodecahedron ; 5, the Octahedron with 
 a square base ; 6, the Octahedron with a rectangular 
 base; 7, the Octahedron with a rhombic base ; 8, the 
 right square Prism ; 9, the right rectangular Prism ; 10, 
 the right rhombic Prism ; 11, the right oblique angled 
 Prism ; 12, the oblique rhombic Prism ; 13, the doubly 
 oblique Prism ; 14, the Rhombohedron or Rhomboid ; 
 15, the regular hexaedral Prism. 
 
 Secondary Forms. 
 
 From the foregoing remarks it will appear evident, 
 that crystals must by the law^s of their formation, present 
 a great variety. Indeed, they are discovered in almost 
 every possible shape that regular can be made to assume. 
 Let the primitive forms already mentioned, have succes- 
 sive layers of particles placed upon their faces, each layer 
 decreasing a row of particles on one or all of the edges of 
 the primitive form, or let decrements be made on the 
 
 7 ^ 
 
XXXil 
 
 INTRODUCTION- 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 edges of the crystals, and some idea of the number of 
 secondary forms can be imagined. The student in Min- 
 eralogy will derive much advantage from having pieces of 
 wood, cut inio the forms of those geometrical figures, 
 placed before him vrhen he is examining any regular crys- 
 tal ; and he will soon discover, that a knowdedge of geo- 
 metry is necessary to his advancement in the Science ; 
 for from the forms crystals present, they are distinguished 
 from each other, and the minerals to which they belong 
 are properly arranged. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF MINERALS. 
 
 The external characters of minerals, are those dis- 
 covered by inspection or simple experiment. They are 
 very numerous, and require minute investigation to point 
 out the difference that exists among them. The terms 
 used in the description of minerals, should be well defined 
 and correctly applied ; for it is evident that many differ- 
 ent opinions have arisen among Mineralogists, from the 
 uncertain meaning of words they have used, in their des- 
 criptions of the substances examined. It is not the ob- 
 ject of this w^ork to go into the details connected with this 
 
 part of the subject. Such details are only to be found in 
 
 extensive treatises on Mineralogy, and require laborious 
 study and observation before they can be applied. 
 
 F or the appropriate language now generally used to 
 describe Minerals, ^ve are indebted to the celebrated 
 Werner, late Professor of Mineralogy at Freyburg, in 
 Upper Saxony. The following arrangement of external 
 characters has been adopted by Professor Cleveland, and 
 includes all that is necessary to be considered. 
 
 Colour, Changeable colours. 
 
 Lustre, Transparency, 
 
introduction. 
 
 XXXllI 
 
 Sound, 
 
 Cohesion, 
 
 Hardness, 
 
 Frangibility, 
 
 Structure, 
 
 Fracture, 
 
 Shape of fragment, 
 Tenacity, 
 
 Magnetism, 
 
 Electricity, 
 
 P hosphorescence, 
 
 Specific gravity. 
 
 IV. 
 
 CHEMICAL CHARACTERS OF MINERALS. 
 
 The chemical characters of minerals are highly im- 
 portant, as they discover the component parts of each 
 kind, decide upon tlieir classes, and point out the various 
 uses to which they may be applied. It will only be ne- 
 cessary to describe in this place, such chemical experi- 
 ments as are generally employed in the description of 
 minerals, are easily performed, and require but a simple 
 apparatus. For the complete analysis of a mineral, can 
 only be successfully conducted with a perfect knowledge 
 of chemistry, and an expensive laboratory. Hence the 
 blowpipe and the acids form almost the whole of the che- 
 mical means, by which the metals in all their combinations, 
 are detected. 
 
 Refraction, 
 
 Form, 
 
 Surface, 
 
 Touch, 
 
 Coldness, 
 
 Odor, 
 
 Taste, 
 
 Adhesion to the tongue. 
 Soil, 
 
 Streak and powder. 
 Distinct concretions, 
 
 I lexibility and elasticity. 
 
 Fusibility of Minerals. 
 
 The blowpipe affords the greatest facilities for dis- 
 covering the constituent parts of almost all minerals ; and 
 although we cannot know at what temperature fusion takes 
 place, the various appearances metallic substances exhibit 
 
 E 
 
XXXiV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 while ineliing, are clearly brought to view, and we have 
 also the advantage of examining the difl’erent products of 
 fusion. These products are often very characteristic of 
 the mineral under examination. 
 
 Tn general the common blowpipe used by goldsmiths, 
 will answer every purpose, and a little experience will 
 enable an adept to use it in a proper manner. It may not 
 nevertheless be improper to add, that the air should be 
 forced through the instrument by the action of the muscles 
 of the face and lips, and not by those of the chest. The 
 breathing must be kept up through the nostrils, while the 
 air is propelled through the pipe. Any kind of flame may 
 be used in experiments with this useful instrument ; but 
 that from an oil lamp is preferable to any other. The 
 wick should be large, and olive oil will yield the most 
 powerful flame. 
 
 If the flame of a lamp be examined under the influ- 
 ence of the blowpipe, it will appear in two unequal parts. 
 The external flame is the largest and most luminous. The 
 internal flame is smaller, more regular, and of a blue 
 colour. The external is the oxidating flame, and the in- 
 ternal the reducing flame. The greatest heat is a little 
 within the point of the latter, where the mineral to be 
 examined should be placed. The external flame will re- 
 tain the heat and equalize its distribution. The greatest 
 heat is obtained by blowing moderately and steadily. The 
 piece of mineral to be examined should be a little larger 
 than a pin’s head, and supported on a piece of charcoal 
 made from alder or pine, which is preferable to any other 
 kind. Platina, asbestus, and glass tubes, are sometimes 
 used for supports, but in common experiments the char- 
 coal will answer every purpose. In using the blowpipe 
 it is often necessary to employ re-agents, or fluxes, those 
 most generally employed are ^oda, nitre, nitrate of co- 
 balt, and borax. The effects of each should be care- 
 
INTKODUCTIO!^. 
 
 XXXV 
 
 fully noted. The tyro in Mineralogy will derive much 
 advantage from the perusal ot a treatise on the use of the 
 blowpipe ; and when this simple instrument is properly 
 used, it will enable him to ascertain the distinctive cha- 
 racters ol almost all the minerals, so tliat with a good 
 manual of the science at his elbow, he can arrange and 
 classify his specimens in a scientific manner. 
 
 Action of Acids. 
 
 The acids generally used as tests for minerals, are 
 the nitric, sulphuric, and muriatic, diluted with one or 
 two parts of water. The mineral to be examined should 
 be powdered, and placed in a concave piece of glass. A 
 common watch crystal is well adapted for the purpose. 
 The acid should be poured upon the mineral. And it 
 must be carefully noticed, whether the solution is made 
 quietly or with efi'ervescence — whether the effervescence 
 be quick, violent and perfect, or slow and partial. The 
 gas also, which escapes, must be examined. In some 
 instances a complete solution is the result, in other in- 
 stances a residue is left behind. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS. 
 
 In order to describe a mineral, and determine the 
 class, order, genus and species to which it belongs, its 
 physical and chemical characters, must be duly consid- 
 ered and compared with those of a system already formed. 
 In the first place it should be observed wdiat is the form, 
 regular or irregular. Obtain the primitive form if possi- 
 ble by mechanical division, then the hardness and speci- 
 fic gravity must be ascertained with the greatest possible 
 accuracy. These characters serve as distinct data. After 
 the examination has been thus far conducted the particu- 
 
XXXVl 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lar characteristic may he applied, when it will be soon 
 discovered what characters agree or disagree, and also 
 those that are altogether wanting. Let the substance un- 
 der examination be carried through the classes of an esta- 
 blished system, and in general it will be easily discovered 
 to wliich of them it belongs. Then by proceeding to the 
 different orders of that class, its characters will be recog- 
 nised, and so on through the orders, genera and species, 
 until the mineral is placed in its proper situation, having 
 its properties fully determined. 
 
 In the examination of minerals, difficulties will natu- 
 rally arise in consequence of the various combinations and 
 appearances they often assume. And much labour and 
 careful examination is often required, to determine the 
 place a single specimen should possess under any classifica- 
 tion, and the proper name by which it should be designat- 
 ed. But in proportion to such difficulties must experiments 
 be multiplied. After all the physical characters have been 
 duly considered, the action of the acids known, tbe blow- 
 pipe used, and the products of fusion carefully examined, 
 almost always every species of the diffierent minerals will 
 be clearly made out, and can be placed under the classes 
 where they belong. If all the experiments tried do not 
 prove satisfactory, a chemical analysis must then be insti- 
 tuted, whereby its component parts will be known and 
 separated. These remarks are intended for those who 
 may not possess a proper apparatus for such an analysis, 
 nor w ish to pursue the study so far, as to examine chem- 
 ically every substance taken from the earth. But the sci- 
 entific Mineralogist will feel a pleasure in the investigation 
 of every specimen the mineral kingdom afibrds. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXXvii 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF MINERALS. 
 
 It is to be regretted that Mineralogists have used 
 different arrangements of minerals, and several of them 
 have applied nomenclatures agreeable to their own parti- 
 cular views ; hence the Science has been retarded in its 
 progress, and much confusion produced. Professor 
 Mohs, the successor of the celebrated Werner, has 
 adopted an arrangement of minerals from their external 
 characters. The species are determined by their primi- 
 tive forms, cleavage, hardness, and specific graviiy, — 
 This arrangement with some alterations, has also been 
 employed by Jameson, in the third edition of his Miner- 
 alogy. The results are these, — that ores of the same 
 metal have been separated from each other in their clas- 
 sification, and some of the metals have been associated 
 with the earths. Whereas it is obvious, that the ores of 
 each metal should be arranged by themselves. 
 
TABULAR VIEW OF MINERALS, 
 
 DESCRIBED IN THIS WORK. 
 
 SPECI&3 
 
 SUB8PEC1K9 
 
 y^arietics ^ 
 Subvarieties. 
 
 SPECIES 
 
 SUBSPECIES 
 
 Varieties 8r 
 Subvaneties. 
 
 Sulphate of Barytes, 
 
 lamellar 
 
 compact 
 
 Carbonate of Lime. 
 
 Calcareous Spar. 
 
 cr) stalized 
 laminated 
 
 granular 
 
 compact 
 
 carlhj 
 
 Slalar.tite 
 
 Alabaster 
 
 Brown Spar. 
 
 Mail. 
 
 indurated 
 
 eurihjr 
 
 Arragonile. 
 
 fibrous 
 
 Sulphate of Lime. 
 
 Selenite. 
 
 massive 
 
 acicular 
 
 Gypsum. 
 
 fibrous 
 
 granular 
 
 compact 
 
 branchy 
 
 snowy 
 
 Sulphate of alumiiie & potash 
 Quartz. 
 
 common 
 
 limpid 
 
 snioky 
 
 yellow 
 
 blue 
 
 rose red 
 
 milky 
 
 granular 
 
 Amethyst. 
 
 Cat’s eye. 
 Chalcedony. 
 
 common 
 
 cncholopff 
 
 carnelian 
 
 Siliceous Sinter. 
 
Michaelite 
 
 Heliotrope. 
 
 Opal. 
 
 Semi-opal. 
 
 Hornstone. 
 
 common 
 
 hofaitic 
 
 tlbroaa 
 
 Diallage. 
 
 metalloidal 
 
 Jasper. 
 
 Talc. 
 
 conimon 
 
 striped 
 
 (Agate.) 
 
 Mica. 
 
 laminated 
 
 Leucite. 
 
 Schorl. 
 
 common 
 
 Feldspar. 
 
 common 
 
 granular 
 
 Basalt. 
 
 common 
 
 indurated 
 
 Steatite. 
 
 Chlorite. 
 
 common 
 
 Argillaceous Slate. 
 
 Argillite. 
 
 shining 
 
 Roofsiate 
 
 Shale. 
 
 Aluminous Slate. 
 
 Claystone. 
 
 columnar 
 
 tabular 
 
 amorphous 
 
 (sarnet. 
 
 common 
 
 manganesian 
 
 Phrcnite. 
 
 fibrou-s 
 
 Stilbite. 
 
 Zeolite. 
 
 Laurnonite. 
 
 Analcime 
 
 Sarcolite. 
 
 Chabasie. 
 
 Apophyllite. 
 
 Albin. 
 
 Treinolite. 
 
 common 
 
 Asbesins. 
 
 common 
 
 Augitc. 
 
 common 
 
 Hornblende. 
 
 Clay. 
 
 Anthracite. 
 
 Coal. 
 
 Lignite. 
 
 Peat. 
 
 Potter's 
 
 Pipe Clay 
 vnrieg'td. 
 T.oam 
 
 Reddle 
 
 slaty 
 
 cnnnel 
 
 slaty 
 
 Jet 
 
 brittle 
 
 Bituminous wood 
 
 compact 
 
 Native Copper. 
 jSiilphiiret of Copper. 
 'Gray Copper. 
 
 arsenical 
 
 iRcd Oxide of Copper. 
 I capillary 
 

 
 
 
 x\ 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 SPECIES SUBSPECIES 
 
 Varieties 8c 
 Subvarieties, 
 
 Carbonate of Copper, 
 blue 
 green 
 
 Sulphate of Copper. 
 Sulphuret of Iron. 
 
 common 
 
 naagnetic 
 
 Magnetic Oxide of Iron. 
 Specular Oxide of Iron. 
 
 micaceous 
 Red Oxide of Iron. 
 
 Red Hematite. 
 
 compact 
 
 ochrey 
 
 SPECIES SUBSPECIES 
 
 Varieties 8c 
 Subvarieties. 
 
 Brown Oxide of Iron. 
 
 hematitic 
 
 compact 
 
 ochrey 
 
 Argillaceous Oxide of Iron. 
 
 nodular 
 
 common 
 
 jaspery 
 Bog Ore 
 
 Carbonate of Iron. 
 
 Sulphate of Iron. 
 
 Phosphate of Iron. 
 
 Sulphuret of Lead. 
 
 granular 
 
 cobaltic 
 
 Oxide of Manganese. 
 
Explanation of the Maps. 
 
 The South side of the Province, painted brown^ is 
 the Primary District, and is composed principally of 
 Granite, Gneiss and Mica Slate. 
 
 The blue denotes the Slate District, which is com- 
 posed of Slate, Greywacke, and Greyvvacke Slate. 
 
 The Red Sandstone District is painted light red. 
 
 The crimson belts shew important beds of Iron Ore. 
 
 Tlie Trap Rocks are painted g-rcen, and the Coal 
 black. See Geological Divisions. 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 atnlr jMln etalog^i 
 
 OF 
 
 NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 NOVA SCOTIA presents many difficulties to the 
 natural philosopher. With extensive tracts of country, 
 covered with dense forests, and trackless mountains, 
 where the moose and carriboo still enjoy quiet repose 
 from the yell of tlie Indian, or sound of the woods-man’s 
 axe ; the Geologist ainidst his arduous labors to discover 
 her structure, must meet with frequent disappointments 
 in a country, that in regard to cultivation and improvement 
 is yet in its infancy. No shafts have been opened or 
 excavations made in the Province, except such as are 
 confined to the raising of coal. Hence the opportunities 
 afforded for examining the different strata of rocks upon 
 which the soil is placed, are very limited. And as but 
 
 1 
 
2 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 a small proportion of the surface has been cleared of tim- 
 ber, the labor of examining the country, even superficially, 
 is greatly increased. The facilities for obtaining Geolo- 
 gical information are confined to the shores, and those 
 places where the removal of the earth for making roads, 
 has uncovered the rocks which lie beneath. 
 
 Almost surrounded by the sea, Nova Scotia does 
 indeed upon her shores, not only offer the most majestic 
 and beautiful scenery, but affords an opportunity to any 
 enquirer, to examine immense precipices and strata of 
 rocks, from which some just inferences may be drawn, in 
 regard to the internal formations of the country. But in 
 general the shores only give a knowledge of the circum- 
 ference, a short distance from which in some places, other 
 kinds of rocks are deposited. And it should be consid- 
 ered, that every section of the country upon the border 
 of the sea, is very superficial, extending only from the 
 soil to the lowest level of the water. Much information 
 may however be obtained by examining the banks of riv- 
 ers, deep ravines, and the tops of the highest mountains ; 
 although such examinations are not always attended with 
 safety, and are never made without great labour. Prom 
 these circumstances it will not be supposed, that a per- 
 fect Geological description of the country can be given, 
 ' until time and cultivation shall have removed the obstacles 
 that now lie in the way. 
 
 It should nevertheless be observed, that numerous 
 ' as the difficulties in the prosecution of Geological enqui- 
 ries may appear in Nova Scotia, there are some circum- 
 stances connected with the rocks themselves, which are 
 favorable to their examination, and of much importance in 
 
REMARKS. 
 
 3 
 
 the discovery of useful quarries and mines. These fav- 
 ourable circumstances arise from the highly inclined, and 
 in some situations the almost vertical position of the strata 
 of different classes of rocks. For if the different layers of 
 each class of the secondary rocks had been horizontal, or 
 remained in tliat position in which it is supposed they 
 were originally deposited, it would have been impossible 
 without making deep excavations, to have arrived at any 
 knowledge of the lower classes, now in many places so 
 thrown out of their original level, by the elevation of im- 
 mense ridges, that extensive ranges ai-e exposed, and 
 may be examined without the labour of removing even the 
 earth from the surface. An instance of tliis kind is exhib- 
 ited in the clay slate of tlie Horton Mountains. The slate 
 is an older formation than the new Red Sandstone, that 
 would have covered it, had it not been turned up, so that 
 the sandstone leans against its north side, in contact with 
 its strata. 
 
 Again, it should be observed, that in consequence 
 of the rapid currents upon the coasts of this Province, 
 and the exposed situation of the country to the sea, 
 added to the advantages gained by the great height the 
 tide rises in the Bay of Fundy, an excellent opportunity 
 is afforded the Mineralogist, to obtain those interesting 
 minerals with which the country abounds. The effects 
 of a turbulent sea, frost, and the action of tlie atmosphere, 
 produce such destructive results upon the solid materials, 
 thrown up as barriers against the encroachments of the 
 ocean, tliat every succeeding season opens a new field to 
 those interested in the discovery and collection of min- 
 erals. 
 
4 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 But without entering into any further details of the 
 advantages or disadvantages offered by the Province to 
 the natural philosopher, enough has been already discov- 
 ered, enougli has been noticed and examined, to convince 
 even the most sceptical, that Nova Scotia contains within 
 her bosom, immense and inexhaustable treasures. Her 
 resources far surpass those of the neighbouring Colonies, 
 and in time will enrich her sons, and render a Province 
 now by some considered of little value, a desideratum of 
 less favoured countries, on account of her valuable mines. 
 These opinions are not the result of idle speculation, or 
 the extravagant fancies of superficial examinations ; they 
 are the sentiments of all scientific men who have visited 
 the country^ and made themselves in some degree ac- 
 quainted with the numerous minerals it contains. There- 
 fore let it never be supposed, that this Colony is doomed 
 to the character of a worthless and barren appendage to 
 Great Britain, for time will develope her almost hidden 
 treasiu-es, and prove that her soil is not only fertile, but 
 her rocks contain an abundance of substances, which are 
 indispensable for the necessities, luxuries, and happiness 
 of mankind. 
 
 Let the great extent of the Coal fields of Nova Sco- 
 tia ; the beds of Iron Ore, Sandstone, Gypsum, Lime- 
 stone ; with every kind of material proper for building, 
 both tlie massive cathedral and the humble cottage, be 
 considered y the Copper and Lead, which will ere long 
 be obtained in rich supplies, be taken into the account : 
 and the above sentiments will be more generally believed, 
 and this transatlantic settlement more highly valued. In 
 confirmation of these opinions, it will be necessary to en- 
 
GEOLOGICAL DIVISIONS. 
 
 5 
 
 quire into each section of Nova Scotia, produce such tes- 
 timony as present discoveries will fuinish, and collect 
 such facts as are daily noticed. It is true. Nova Scotia 
 does not enjoy the privilege of working her own mines, 
 or the profit arising from the sale of tlieir productions ; 
 but there is a satisfaction in knowing to what an amount 
 w e contribute to tlie interests of other men. No attempt 
 will however be made to enter into this pai't of the sub- 
 ject, as it more properly belongs to the Legislator than 
 the Mineralogist. 
 
 GEOLOGICAL DIVISIONS. 
 
 It is necessaiy in pursuing an enquiry into the For- 
 mations of Nova Scotia, to divide the Province into four 
 distinct Geological districts. The lines wliich separate 
 each division, extend from soutli west to north east nearly, 
 and run in a longitudinal direction with the greatest dia- 
 meter of the country. If a line be drawn from the Gut 
 of Canso to Yarmouth, lengthwise the Province, crossing 
 the Counties of Sydney, Halifax, Lunenbmg, Queen’s, 
 and Shelburne, it will cover and run in the direction of 
 the Primaiy and unstratified rocks of Nova Scotia. — 
 Hence all tlie south side of the Province will be called 
 the Primary District, for in it the Primary rocks are most 
 abundant. On the nortli west side of the Primary Dis- 
 trict, and extending its whole length from Antigonishe to 
 Cape St. Mary, there is an immense tract of country oc- 
 cupied by clay slate (argillite.) Hence the Middle Di- 
 vision of the Province will be called the Clay Slate Dis- 
 trict. Again, if a line be drawn from Annapolis to Mer- 
 
6 
 
 GEOLOGICAL DIVISIONS. 
 
 igomishe, and a curve made in the direction of Windsor 
 River, all the remaining part of the Province will be cal- 
 led the Red Sandstone District, including the Coal Fields, 
 through which the Cobequid chain passes. Lastly, the 
 whole of the North Mountains, extending from Brier 
 Island to Cape Blomidon, — the Five Islands, the Two 
 Islands, Isle Hant, and all tlie Capes on the north side 
 of the Bay of Fundy, will be called the Trap District, the 
 rocks of which rest upon the Red Sandstone. 
 
 It must not be supposed however, that each class of 
 rocks already named, appear always upon the lines that 
 make those natural divisions. Such is not the fact, for 
 they are variously indented by each other, irregularities 
 and deviations from right lines occur probably in some 
 places to a considerable distance ; notwithstanding in 
 each of rhcr divisions Xlurs^maoe, ilie Hocks from which 
 each District is named are abundantly predominant, and 
 occupy a large extent of country. Many advantages 
 will arise from keeping this very general Geological des- 
 cription in view, for from a knowledge of these facts 
 distinct data are offered the Geologist, that will save him 
 much labor in following up the different associations ex- 
 isting among the secondary strata, and guide the miner 
 while he is seeking for ores. For it would be as vain to 
 search for coal on the south side of Nova Scotia, where 
 granite prevails, as for granite among the sandstones of 
 Cumberland, or grindstones among the trap rocks of 
 Blomidon. 
 
 It is interesting to observe that the different Forma- 
 tions in Nova Scotia, correspond with those of the 
 United States. In both countries they extend from north 
 
OEOLOGICAL DIVISIONS. 
 
 7 
 
 east to south west, nearly parallel to the Atlantic coast, 
 having the transition and secondary rocks placed to the 
 northward and westward of the Primary formations.— 
 The same laws which have operated among the rocks of 
 other countries, have their effects fully exhibited in this 
 Province. And there are iWGohjnies— perhaps none of 
 the same extent, where so great a variety in the scale of 
 superposition, and so rich a field, is exposed to the nat- 
 ural philosopher, or to those who only seek the pecuniary 
 profit of mining,— as the Province of Nova Scotia. A 
 section of the strata extending from Halifax across the 
 Province to Cumberland Basin, would expose a greater 
 variety of rocks and minerals, placed in regular order, 
 than has yet been discovered in any country of a similar 
 magnitude.” But these are facts which will be better 
 explained, as the reader advances in the investigation of 
 the subjects thus briefly opened. 
 
 In pursuing a description of the rocks and minerals 
 of Nova Scotia, as far as they have yet been discovered 
 and examined, it will perhaps be most convenient to com- 
 mence with such as are considered to be of the oldest 
 kinds, gradually advancing to those of more recent depo- 
 sits ; and therefore the Primary District on the south 
 side of the Province will be first noticed. 
 

 
 m-x&s 
 
 PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 AT Canso, Gianite appears in all its beauties, and 
 forms tlie interior of the country to an unknown distance. 
 The feldspar, quartz, and mica, composing this rock, 
 exist in such quantities at this locality, that tlie stone in 
 many places is admirably adapted for buildings, both on 
 account of its resistance to the effects of the weather, and 
 its beauty. Excellent mill-stones are made at White 
 Point, the granite at that place being preferred to any 
 other in the neighbourhood, for grinding all kinds of grain. 
 In some specimens from the interior, the mica seemed 
 wanting, so that they have tlie appearance of pieces of 
 quartz rock ; but the other ingredients in the composition 
 determine its character. The mica when present, varies 
 in colour from dark brown to black. At Country Har- 
 bour, St. Mary’s River, White Islands, and several other 
 localities along this coast, the granite is seen until within 
 a few mil®s t)f Halifax Harbour, where the slate and 
 quartz rock supply its place. How far it extends into 
 the country to the northward has not yet been discovered, 
 as there are few inducements to ascertain its boundaries. 
 But Uiere can be no doubt, that the Primary rock occupies 
 a large portion of this part of the country. No indica- 
 tions of ores, were seen on any part of this coast, which 
 is admirably constructed to resist the angry motions of 
 the turbulent Atlantic. The whole of the shore is gener- 
 ally low, seldom rising more than five hundred feet above 
 
PRIMARY DISTRICT, ' 9 
 
 tlie level of the sea, notwithstanding the solid materials of 
 its base form some of the highest mountains in the world. 
 The whole of this coast as would be naturally expected, 
 has a gloomy appearance. The shore is indented with 
 many small harbours, rivers, and creeks, which afford 
 shelter for fishing vessels during the summer season. In 
 some of the valleys between the rude hills of granite, 
 pebbles, sand, and decayed vegetable substances, form a 
 scanty, although in some instances a productive soil. 
 
 HALIFAX. 
 
 In proceeding along the coast, on the south side of 
 Nova Scotia, and in a westerly direction from Canso, to- 
 wards Cape Sable, a deep and narrow bay, 'terminated by 
 an expanded basin, form the beautiful Harbour of Halifax, 
 not surpassed by any in the world for convenience and 
 safety. The rocks in the vicinity of the town of Halifax, 
 and the surrounding country, are in general Primary, The 
 granite generally appears on the summits of the hills, 
 having the clay slate, and quartz rock, alternating in the 
 valleys. The granite of the County of Halifax, contains a 
 smaller quantity of mica, than is seen in that rock in other 
 parts of the country. Its granular fragments are so inti- 
 mately united, that they form hard and compact rock, 
 which is seldom decomposed hy the action of the weather, 
 and therefore affords no fertility to the soil. Near the 
 town there are two large granitic boulders, so placed as to 
 form rocking stones. They may be rolled from side to 
 side on their bases by light mechanical pressure, and form 
 
 places of resort for the curious. One of these natural 
 
 2 
 
10 primary district. 
 
 curiosities lias been described by J. Leander Starr, Es- 
 quire, who with his usual neatness of style, says,— “ The 
 rock stands upon a broad flat stone, the surface of which 
 is quite level with the ground, and it is rocked to and fro 
 by the aid of a short wooden lever. Any stick found ly- 
 ing near the spot is picked up for that purpose, and it 
 may thus be set in active motion, even by a child. Al- 
 though very difficult to climb to its summit, I succeeded 
 in doing so, and when my friend plied the lever I sensi- 
 bly felt its rocking motion, as I walked about upon its 
 surface. I examined it very minutely, and discovered 
 the vast body to move upon a pivot of twelve by six inches, 
 situate about tlie centre, and a slight rest at the north end. 
 The quality of the rock is granite, but apparently some- 
 what porous.” This stone is twenty feet long, fourteen 
 feet wide, and nine feet thick. It contains two thousand 
 five hundred and twenty solid feet, and will weigh up- 
 wards of sixty tons. 
 
 Pliny says, that “ at Harpasa, a town of Asia, there 
 was a rock of such a wonderful nature, that if touched 
 with the finger it would shake, but could not be moved 
 from its place by the whole force of the body. Seveial 
 oUier rocks of this kind have been mentioned by the an- 
 cients. Some have supposed that rocking stones, or 
 Logan stones, as they have been ckllcd, were monuments 
 erected by the Druids, who pretended that they performed 
 miracles by moving them by gentle means. It is not pro 
 bable however, that those singular rocks in Nova Scotia, 
 were thus placed to mislead the aborigines of the country, 
 or to deceive the inhabitants of a more enlightened age. 
 These blocks of granite in Nova Scotia, were evidently 
 
PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 il 
 
 clctacliccl) aild accidentally lodged in theii' prcscjit uneasy 
 situations, by a volcanic eruption, or some violent force, 
 wliich lias acted upon all tlie rocks in their neighbourhood, 
 and produced that disturbance, now so manifest. The 
 quartz rock, that alternates with the clay slate, in Nova 
 Scotia, is hard, compact, brittle and heavy. It contri- 
 butes nothing to tlic production of soil, resists the sculp- 
 tor’s chisel, and occupies a portion of the country, where 
 nothing but art and labour can produce vegetation. The 
 beautiful farms on the peninsula of llalil'ax, and its vicin- 
 ity, are only the monuments of industry, and the scieu- 
 titic agriculture of the inhabitants of the city. The quartz 
 rock and granite, have by their naked apjiearance, induced 
 many a passing traveller to condemn a fertile country, 
 upon which Nature has bestowed her choicest gifts. 
 
 On tlic new road from the town of Halifax, to the 
 1 ower at Point Pletisant, the slate is seen rising above the 
 soil in sharp prominent ridges. Several of tliese have 
 been cut through in malting the turnpike. Their strata 
 run north oast and south west, and dip to the northward 
 at an angle of ncaily fifty degrees. At the Tower, it is 
 curious to observe those places where die scanty soil has 
 been removed, leaving the surface of the rock smooth, 
 even, and polished, as if its inequalities had been worn 
 down by mecluuiical means. Not far fiom the Tower, 
 and beneath the walls of am old fort, standing upon the 
 shore of the North VVe.st Arm, there are two large iron 
 rings, secured in the transition slate. Similar rings are 
 fasteneil in the rocks of the opposite shore. To these a 
 large chain was formerly attached, to prevent the enemy 
 Irom adsancing into the safe and beautiful bay, where 
 shipping might icmain secure from any attack by sea. 
 
12 
 
 PRIMARY DISTRICT, 
 
 Wherever die granite is not predominant, lire slate, 
 greywacke slate, and quartz rock, alternate with each 
 otiicr. After crossing the North West Arm, and at die 
 King’s quanies, gneiss, mica slate, and clay slate, will 
 be found to succeed the granite occasionally. The Pri- 
 mary rock is Jtowever, most abundant, and forms exten- 
 sive ridges, and chains of nigged hills, stretching w^est- 
 wardly towards Margaret’s Bay, Gneiss and mica slate, 
 are frequently placed between the granite and clay slate, 
 in some instances the transition strata pass into each 
 other. Several quarries of tlicse rocks have been open- 
 ed, to su|>ply the Town widi materials for building. The 
 granite is scarcely rivalled by any hitherto discovered in 
 odicr parts of die world. It enters into the strong bat- 
 teries of the Citadel of Halifax. These batteries when 
 completed, tvill form an admirable and strong protection 
 against the advances of an invading enemy. At Flinn’s 
 quarries, the granite is also of an excellent quality, and 
 may be transported without difficulty. 
 
 In no part of the Province have we seen granite of 
 so good a quality as diat at the North West Arm, where 
 an Inexhaustable store of that rock, is laid up on the 
 shore of a safe harbour, from w^hence it could be readily 
 shipped to any part of die world. And it is probable tliat 
 the granite of Halifax, will not only enter more exten- 
 sively into die buildings of this Colony, but soon afford 
 an aiticle of exjiortation to other countries. One species 
 of the slate is rather peculiar, and is called by die inha- 
 Hitants "^ironstone.” It has a crystalline structure, is 
 veiy sonorous, compact, and heavy. This rock, and 
 the slate in general, contains much iron j sometimes thin 
 
PRIMARV DISTRICT. 13 
 
 layers are covered with the carbonate of timt iiietaJ. TJic 
 sulplturet of iron, ip cubic crystals of a brass yellow co- 
 lour, sometimes occupy the slate to considerable distance. 
 The transition rocks here, as in many places, when Uiey 
 approach the granite, appear to have been exposed to 
 intense heat, from tlieir vitreous appearance, and the 
 quantity of sublimed sulphur still adhering to their layers. 
 The clay slate also, contains at numerous places the sul- 
 phuret ofalumine, and potash, or common alum. This 
 frequently forms an efflorescence, or mould, in the cavi- 
 ties and fissures of the rocks. Sometimes die alum and 
 sulphuret of iron are united. Hence this species of the 
 argillite is identical with tlie alaun cluefcr, of ^Verner, 
 the alum slate of Jamieson, and the aluminous slate of 
 other auUtors. There can be no doubt tliat largo quanti- 
 ties of good alum, might be manufactured near the Capi- 
 tal of the Province, and at as cheap a rate as it is now 
 imported from Great Britain. King James I., assumed 
 the monopoly of the manufacture of alum to himself, and 
 prohibited its imjiorlation. In 1625, its importation was 
 again prohibited, by a proclamation of Charles I. In the 
 mean time, llte manufacture of the salt became profitable 
 in England. A short distance soutliward of Flinn’s quar- 
 ries, there is a large granitic boulder, resting upon one of 
 its smallest sides, on the highest pinnacle of a barren hill, 
 and ready to roll down a precipice into the valley beneatli. 
 G^;eat numbers of these detached masses, may be seen 
 along the soutlt coast of the Province, appearing at a dis- 
 tance like small cottages. The rocking stones already 
 mentioned, are curious specimens of tiiese isolated blocks. 
 Some have strangely supjiosed that these rocks have been 
 
PRIMAHV DISTRICT. 
 
 15 
 
 DARTMOUTH. 
 
 At Dartmouth, the slate appears above the surface, 
 ft composes most of the walls in that Town, and enters 
 largely into the lost labour of the Shubenacadie Canal ; 
 the granite having been used only in such places as requir- 
 ed strength and durability. From Dartmouth to Schultz’s 
 Inn, the argillite and quartz rock alternate with, and fre- 
 quently pass into each other. Those rocks abound along 
 the road, which passes on the lower grounds and sides of 
 the lakes ; but the granite was found composing the higher 
 hills eastward and westward of the Grand Lake. The 
 quartz rock is often regularly stratified, and is easily 
 broken into rhomboidal blocks. Extensive fires a few 
 years since, destroyed the forests to a great distance upon 
 the Truro road, and have rendered the appearance of the 
 surface more barren than it was before that event ; and a 
 small undergrowth of grey birch, scattered among the 
 withered hemlocks, produces a singular, but not an agree- 
 able landscaite. Wo had been informed, that copper ore 
 had been found on the west side of the Grand Lake, but 
 were unable to discover any traces of that metal near its 
 confines. The micaceous oxide of iron, seen in several 
 places, might have been ntistaken for the ore of copper. 
 On the north side of the Grand Lake, the slate is met 
 by the red sandstone, containing beds of gypsum, and 
 compact limestone. From the high lands eastward of 
 Schultz’s Inn, the granite extends through the Musquo- 
 doboit settlement, to Guysboro. Slate quartz rock, and 
 greywacke, accompany the Primary formation, which 
 often raises its mountains, far above the level of the sur- 
 
16 
 
 primary district. 
 
 rounding country. It has been remarked by Messrs. 
 Jackson and Alger, that it is singular Messrs. Smith and 
 Brown, should have called the quartz rock, trap. With 
 trap it can hardly be confounded. Its connexion with 
 the slate is intimate, and the rock itself, in all its charac- 
 ters, are quite sufficient to fix its proper name. 
 
 SAMBRO AND PROSPECT. 
 
 At Sambro and Prospect, the granite abounds, 
 forming sharp ridges, and separating extensive valleys. 
 The quartz rock appears occasionally, and the slate in 
 many places is altogether excluded. Over a large por- 
 tion of the surface, the naked rocks are exposed, with 
 scarcely a lichen sticking to the sides of their misshapen 
 masses, which are scattered upon the more solid founda- 
 tion in great confusion. A stunted spruce occasionally 
 appears, drawing its support, like many of the animal 
 creation, from the death and decay of its predecessors. 
 At Sambro and Prospect Harbours, small collections of 
 pebbles and sand, have afforded a resting place for soil ; 
 but a toilsome day’s journey into the interior, will only 
 present to the eye, a dreary and barren wilderness. 
 
 MARGARET’S BAY. 
 
 At Margaret’s Bay, the Primary rocks recede from 
 the coast, and some members of the grey wacke group are 
 exhibited. Thin beds of clay, and angular fragments of 
 the neighbouring rocks, succeed ; and upon them a soil 
 capable of cultivation, extends some distance from the 
 
18 
 
 primary district. 
 
 seen, outcropping beneath the beds of clay, sand, and 
 pebbles placed above it. The scattered fragments over 
 the soil increase the labour of cultivation ; although from 
 the heat they retain from the rays of the sun during the 
 day, they assist the growth of vegetables during the night. 
 
 Mahoiie Bay presents one of the most delightful 
 prospects in Nova Scotia. A deep, navigable basin, in 
 which numerous islands exhibit their evergreen summits, 
 almost surrounded by a closely populated, and neatly cul- 
 tivated country, are not often seen in that natural and de- 
 lightful order which is exhibited here. In the neighbour- 
 hood of tlie Town of Lunenburg, and at La Have River, 
 the beds of clay, pebbles, and sand, covered at many 
 points with good soil, afford those rich supplies, that 
 Nature is pleased to award the industrious and honest 
 farmer. 
 
 The old red sandstone in this part of the country, 
 has contributed much to the production of soil, by its easy 
 decomposition and gradual decay. But these remarks 
 are applied to the margins of the bays, and rivers ; for 
 upon penetrating the almost unbroken forests to the north- 
 ward, the granite again assumes its dominion, and fre- 
 (|uently barrenness prevails. 
 
 Two singular excavations have been made by the 
 sea, in the rocks a few miles from the Town of Lunen- 
 burg. Cavities have been worn out, called the “ Ovens.” 
 Into these the waves often rush with great violence, and 
 the air being confined, bursts out, carrying before it the 
 spray, like that made by the spouting of some enormous 
 whale. We were informed by a very loquacious Ameri- ^ 
 can, that these Ovens are the nests of the “ sea ser- 
 
PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 19 
 
 penis,” so often seen near Boston. Such as are inter- 
 ested in the natural history of these singular animals, and 
 believe in their existence, will perhaps be rewai dcd by 
 paying the “ Ovens” a visit. 
 
 LIVERPOOL. 
 
 The coast extending from Lunenburg to Liverpool, 
 is similar in its appearance to the shore between Sambro 
 and Margaret’s Bay, being broken and irregular. Near 
 the Town of Liverpool, and north of Mill Village, die 
 • Priraaiy rocks advance towards the shore, and die whole 
 face of the country is covered with white granitic masses. 
 Some of these are of large and regular dimensions, re- 
 sembling at a distance huts, and other rude buildings. 
 In some places the imitation is so perfect, dial what is 
 here called a clear field, might be mistaken for a deserted 
 village. The granite is more liable to decay than in the 
 neighbourhood of Halifax, and from its decomposition 
 produces a soil, that although scanty, is good and produc- 
 tive, afibrding the inhabitants of die Town, fine meadow 
 and arable grounds. 
 
 The rapid river of Liverpool, rolling over shapeless 
 masses of die Primary rocks, is destitute of that alluvium, 
 which in other parts of the country, has been lodged upon 
 the banks of fertile streams, so common in King’s and 
 Cumberland counties. This circumstance arises from 
 die unyielding nature of the materials over which the wa- 
 ter passes, and is common to all those streams taking 
 their rise in, and flowing over Primaiy formations. 
 
 Tliere arc however in the interior of this County, 
 
20 
 
 PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 numerous beds of clay, sand, and pebbles, resliug be- 
 tween mountains of the unyielding rock; some of these 
 were evidently at some former period, covered by lakes. 
 They are now however, capable of being cultivated, and 
 have excited the ambition of a number of sturdy countiy- 
 men, before whom the forest bows in humble submission, 
 and falls “ to rise no more.” A few inferior crystals of 
 smoky quartz or cairn gorm, were observed among the 
 broken granite, near Mill Village. But few specimens, 
 however, have been discovered in this County, to rewaid 
 the labour of the Mineralogist ; and the rocks only seem 
 interesting, on account of the imitative forms they present. 
 
 * SHELBURNE: 
 
 The high lands forming the interior of Halifax, Lu- 
 nenburg, and Queen’s Counties, extend nearly tluougb 
 the County of Shelburne, to its western shore. This 
 mountainous chain has not yet been explored ; but from 
 the general appearance of the country, and its elevations, 
 the Primary District becomes narrow, and finally termi- 
 nates by dipping beneath the sea, and giving place to sec- 
 ondary strata. In a few instances the old red sandstone 
 makes its appearance, although the clay slate, greynacke, 
 and greywacke slate, are always predominant. From the 
 detritus of these rocks, the Marshes of Argyle and Yar- 
 mouth have been collected, with all those smaller deposits 
 of alluvium, upon the rivers and creeks penetrating the 
 
 coast. 
 
 A large part of this County is covered with fens, bogs, 
 and barren wastes, interspersed over a surface of many 
 
PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 9 
 
 nulcs ill extent. These litiv'e drisen in consecjucnce of 
 the indiuated and unyielding nature of tlie rocks ; and it 
 was observed here, tliat the slate is much harder, and less 
 liable to decomposition, than that of the south mountains 
 of Horton, which yield a fruitful soil. Those laige col- 
 lections of mixed j^ebbles, sand, and heterogeneous sub- 
 stances, which have in otlier situations filled up deep 
 depressions in the sub-strata of rocks, are in many places 
 wanting in Shelburne. From this circumstance the soil 
 cannot be retained, and sterility forms a melancholy fea- 
 lure of a laige portion of the County. 
 
 Upon the shore extending from Cape Sable to Cape 
 Forchu, the granite appears only to a limited extent, and 
 the clay slate alternated with quartz rock, form the great- 
 est portion of the western extremity of the Province ; and 
 notwithstanding the unfavourable character we have been 
 compelled to give of Shelburne, as a farming country, it 
 contains many fertile, tracts, and upon its estuaries, col- 
 lections of good alluvial soil. 
 
 Remarks on the Primary District, or South 
 SIDE OF Nova Scotia. 
 
 In the examination of the rocks on the South side of 
 the Province, and those elevated peaks and ridges, that 
 run nearly parallel with the coast, it must not be sup- 
 posed by the reader, that the granite aj)pcais so often and 
 so abiuidant, as the foregoing account might seem to 
 imply. 
 
 In many situations, that rock is so much covered 
 with diluvial detritus, and the dense forests, that great 
 
22 primary district. 
 
 labour would be required to discover, even a small por- 
 tion of its surface ; and in general it can only be discov- 
 ered by the appearance of the hills viewed at a distance ; 
 for cultivation has not extended fax- from tlie margin of die 
 sea, the interior of the coimtiy still remaining a di-eary 
 and pathless forest. 
 
 It has been observed, diat the slate succeeds die 
 granite, and lies directly upon it ; diis is always the case 
 when gneiss and mica slate are not interposed. Wherever 
 the argillite is absent, the granite is in contact with quaitz 
 rock, greywacke, or die old red sandstone, and there 
 are extensive portions of country, where these rocks al- 
 ternate with each other, without the appearance of any 
 other kind of strata. The hills of granite may be distin- 
 guished by their rugged, sharp and prominent summits. 
 Those elevations where the quartz rock is predominant, 
 ai'C round and conical, while the ridges of clay slate, give 
 the country a furrowed appearance. 
 
 If there be any peculiarity in the granite, so often 
 mentioned, it is the generally dark colour of the mica it 
 contains ; much of it however, corresponds with speci- 
 mens from the Haitz Forest, in Germany, and St. Mi- 
 chael’s Mount, in Cornwall. The quartz rock is similai- 
 to that occurring in some of die Islands of Scotland. The 
 argillite occasionally contains beds of granular limestone, 
 chlorite slate, and talc. 
 
 Perhaps in some instances, the slate should be con- 
 sidered Primaiy, pai-ticularly when it seems to pass into 
 gneiss, and mica slate. At such localities the argillite is 
 more compact, vitreous, and altogether destitute of or- 
 ganic remains. In every instance it inclines to the granite. 
 
PRIMARY DISTRICT. 
 
 23 
 
 in ilie same manner that it was observed at Dartmoor 
 in Devonshire, and Land’s End in Cornwall. When the 
 vertical and broken position of the clay slate in this gran- 
 itic district, is considered ; the veins which penetrate the 
 distorted superincumbent strata, and appear in many in- 
 stances to have been ejected from beneath, by ridges and 
 shapeless hdls of the more ancient formation ; and all those 
 circumstances and facts manifested in other countries, in 
 regard to tlie once fused state of the granite, are viewed, 
 little doubt can be entertained, that tlie modern tlieory of 
 Geology is, in this respect at least, more than probably 
 true. 
 
 Some notice will be tnken of the foregoing factSj 
 when the Clay Slate District is considered, and those 
 places described which were visited for the purpose of 
 obtaining correct information of their structure. The 
 pipe clay beds which occur near Chester, would afford 
 the purest supply for the potter’s wheel, and might be 
 converted to useful purposes. The granite affords the 
 most durable materials for public edifices, although its 
 extreme hardness is used as an argument against its em- 
 ployment. It is nevertheless, not only one of the most 
 ancient, but one of tlie most interesting of Nature’s pro- 
 ductions, and forms an important feature in the Geology 
 of tlie country. 
 
 That portion of the Province, which has been thus 
 briefly described, is excavated by deep hollows and ra- 
 vines, which give passage to the waters of numerous 
 rivers and creeks. Large basins of table land are formed, 
 being partially covered with fragments of rocks, beds of 
 clay, sand and pebbles, where the agriculturist may de- 
 
24 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 rive an honest support from the labours of the field. 
 Deep depressions of the strata are filled with water ; 
 hence numerous lakes occur, and in many instances form 
 chains, greatly adding to the facilities of conveyance, and 
 the beauty of the country. 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 IN entering upon a description of this extensive 
 Formation in Nova Scotia, it may again be necessary to 
 remark, tliat this division of rocks, lies on the north side 
 of the Primary formation, extending like a zone from 
 Yarmouth to the most eastern part of the Province. It 
 occupies a large extent of country, but is often overlaid, 
 interrupted, or alternated by other strata. In many places 
 it rises to the surface, which it occupies extensively.— 
 At some points it is in contact with the granite already 
 described ; at other places it is in juxtaposition with 
 gneiss, and mica slate. In these instances it may be 
 considered primary. At several localities it is associated 
 with greywacke, and die old mountain limestone, and 
 contains numerous remains of marine plants, and animals. 
 The primary slate of Nova , Scotia is similar in all its 
 characters and properties, with that found in Great Bri- 
 tain, and has the same Geological relations. Specimens 
 from Gaspereau River, in Horton, cannot be distinguish- 
 ed from others brought from Bangor, in Wales ; and 
 there can be no doubt, that Nova Scotia will produce 
 
25 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 eveiy kind that has been used, for the various purposes 
 to which it is applied. Clay Slate is easily recognised. 
 It has a simple, homogeneous appearance ; and tlie com- 
 mon drawing slate used in schools, furnishes a good spe- 
 cimen of this valuable rock. The primary varieties have 
 a more shining and vitreous appearance than the secondary 
 In describing the Clay Slate District, the same order 
 will be observed, in which different localities were visi- 
 ted, beginning at larmoiith, and proceeding in an east- 
 erly direction along the chain of South Mountains that 
 lorins the rear, and uninhabited parts of several Counties. 
 
 X 
 
 CLARE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 After leaving the Town of Yarmouth, and passing 
 along the shore towards St. Mary’s Bay, the slate assumes 
 Its dominion, although it is occasionally alternated with 
 greywacke, quartz rock, and the old mountain limestone. 
 TJie strata of slate are variously inclined, and in some 
 instances much twisted, and broken ; but generally they 
 are so placed, as to support the opinion, that the primary 
 rocks under their southern side, have been uplifted by 
 some violent and sudden movement, which has thrown 
 the neighbouring slate in its present leaning, and often 
 perpendicular position. 
 
 The quartz rock is elevated above its companions, 
 foiming ridges, and mounds. These produce the idea 
 of huge battlements, thrown up to resist the fury of an 
 invading enemy. In some places the slate and quartz 
 rock are intermixed, in others, feldspar makes up a part 
 of the aggregate ; and they form a singular compound. 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 27 
 
 would be difficult to determine the dimensions of this ele- 
 vated mass of porphyry, but there can be no doubt it is 
 very extensive. The interruption of the ore is known by 
 its occurrence on the west side of the dyke, several miles 
 from the Joggins.” 
 
 This dyke is feldspar porphyry ; its base is compact 
 hornblende, in which arc imbedded white concretions of 
 feldspar. The ancients considered this kind of rock very 
 valuable, and no doubt blocks may be obtained in Nova 
 Scotia, which will vie in beauty with those employed by 
 them in their splendid edifices, pieces of which still re- 
 mind us of the art of their sculptors. 
 
 Following the Slate District in an easterly direction 
 from the dyke of porphyry, nothing very interesting oc- 
 curs until the Bear River is seen, rushing through the 
 different windings in its channel, produced by the more 
 easy reduction of the rocks in some places than in others. 
 The slate forming the banks of this river, contains near 
 its exit into Annapolis Basin, beds of the sulphuret of iron. 
 This iron pyrites is generally amorphous, and compact, 
 although a few crystals, presenting the cube its primitive 
 form, and some with the cube truncated on all its angles, 
 were observed. In consequence of the sulphuret being 
 exposed to the atmosphere, it is decomposed spontane- 
 ously, and the sulphate of iron (copperas) is produced, 
 and forms an incrustation upon the rock, in many places 
 of considerable thickness. The sulphate thus produced, 
 is however very impure, as might naturally be expected. 
 The sulphuret of iron occurring at Bear River, is very 
 well adapted for the manufacture of copperas, as it de- 
 composes raj)Idly when exposed to the air and moisture ; 
 
claV slate district. 
 
 and perhaps at some future period, when this article may 
 be required in the manufactories of the Province, the 
 rocks already mentioned will supply copperas, equally 
 pure as that now imported from Great Britain and the 
 United States. 
 
 It may not be improper to remark here, that the 
 sul])huret of iron during its decomposition, produces a 
 great degree of heat, and has thus been, in several in- 
 stances, the cause of the spontaneous combustion of coal 
 mines. The temperature of certain warm springs, is also 
 supposed to arise from the same cause. We have a spe- 
 cimen of this mineral now upon the table, that is daily 
 suffering from the oxygen it absorbs from the atmosphere. 
 
 The next locality of interest appears at Clements, 
 about three miles from the mouth of Moose River. Here 
 the great bed of iron ore has been penetrated to consid- 
 erable extent, to supply a smelting furnace, erected a few 
 years ago, within a few miles of Annapolis Town ; but 
 which has now discontinued its operations, from causes 
 not generally known. 
 
 The bed of ore is about nine feet wide, and its con- 
 tents of a good quality ; but as the ore is intimately blended 
 with the slate, which forms its walls to a considerable 
 distance, no distinct line of separation is seen, and its 
 measurement becomes arbitrary. The ore is the magnetic 
 oxide of iron, — of a steel grey colour, it affects the mag- 
 netic needle, and some specimens attract iron filings. It 
 yields in the smelting furnace about fifty per cent, of good 
 cast iron. Although iron ore is very abundant in Nova 
 Scotia, it does not always occur in such quantities, nor in 
 such situations, as will offer the hopes of profit to the 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 Miner ; but this remark will not apply to the immense 
 bed at Clements, for being elevated to the surface of the 
 earth, and situated in a part of the country which at pre- 
 sent abounds m fuel to supply furnaces, its thickness and 
 quality also considered, it would for ages supply all the 
 inhabitants of America, with an article more useful than 
 any other ever discovered. 
 
 It is certainly remarkable, that imbedded in the ore, 
 and the slate with which it is in contact and intermixed, 
 the remains and impressions of marine animals are abun- 
 dant. Some of them belong to classes the most interest- 
 ing to the naturalist. They are the trilobite, tellinite, 
 terebratulite, encrinite, ammonite, and other small crusta- 
 ceous animals, appearing as perfectly as if they formed a 
 part of those animals when they were alive. Each of 
 those fossils will be noticed in another place, and although 
 no attempt will be made to solve the theory of their 
 former existence, and present extraordinary situation, yet 
 such facts as will have any bearing upon the subject, 
 should be accurately detailed. Upon examination it will 
 be discovered, tliat the internal surfaces of these fossils, 
 profusely scattered through the ore and slate, are crusted 
 with phosphate of iron, sometimes in crystals. These 
 crystals have been produced by the chemical union of the 
 phosphoric acid in the shells, with the iron. In other 
 instances the carbonate of iron is seen, occupying the 
 situation of the original shell. Also the sulphate of lime, 
 produced by an affinity existing between the lime con- 
 tained in the shells, and the sulphur mixed with the ore. 
 The decomposition of the animals, and their crustaceous 
 coverings, must have been produced by some agent more 
 
 

 
 
 W 
 
 li- I' 
 
 30 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 powerful dran water; and all the phenomena connected 
 with them, can perhaps only be accounted for by allowing 
 that agent to have been heat, the operation of which will 
 now under certain circumstances produce similar effects ; 
 and would also unite the carbonic acid gas, contained m 
 the before mentioned animals, with the lime of then- 
 shelly coverings, thus producing the salt so easily discov- 
 ered in this metallic vein. 
 
 To support the arguments in favour of the aqueous 
 origin of the iron ore of the South Mountains, it will be 
 immediately observed, that the marine fossil shells con- 
 tained in it, are almost sufficient to demonstrate the fact. 
 
 From whence came these shells ; and by what mighty 
 convulsions and changes in this globe, have their inmates 
 been deprived of life, and incarcerated in hard, compact, 
 and unyielding rocks By what momentous and violent 
 catastrophe, have they been forced from the bottom o 
 die ocean, (where they were evidendy at some former 
 period placed,) to the height of several hundred feet above 
 die level of the present sea, and even to the tops of the 
 highest mountains } It is not an uncommon circumstance 
 in"’Nova Scotia, to see the honest farmer ploughing up 
 the ground once inhabited by myriads of living marine 
 animals, although he may not consider that he is deriving 
 his support from the wreck of a former world. But the 
 laborious researches of the Geologist, have explained the 
 causes of these phenomena, which in this Province are so 
 abundantly presented to our notice. 
 
 It is evident that the slate and ore containing the 
 shells already mentioned, were once at the bottom of an 
 ancient sea, occupied with numerous species of radiated. 
 
4?LAY SLATE DISTRICT. 31 
 
 moluscoiis, and crustaceous animals, which then enjoyed 
 a perfect animal existence, upon a surface placed in a 
 horizontal position. By some mighty revolution, the 
 ground occupied by them has been uplifted, and their 
 native submarine possessions converted into slate, and 
 even iron ore. It has been already observed, that the 
 strata of slate are highly inclined, and in many situations 
 almost vertical. Hence it is impossible that those ani- 
 mals could have been deposited one upon another, or 
 thrown confusedly into an open and perpendicular chasm 
 left void in the earth ; this would have been contrary to 
 known laws, and is immediately disproved by the facts 
 observed. If it be true that the primary rocks have been 
 thrown upwards by the expansive force of he^, (a fact 
 which modern Geologists consider fully established,) is 
 it not probable, that the bottom of the sea, witli all its 
 corals and shells, then resting upon the melted granite, 
 was also thrown upwards, having its strata broken, dis- 
 torted, and fixed edgewise, in the manner it is now found. 
 We would not enter upon the arguments by which such 
 opinions are established, they are however, such as ex- 
 plain almost all the phenomena of the slate, and its fossil 
 remains. 
 
 But again it may be observed, that the iron ore of 
 Clements is magnetic. It is difficult to suppose that tlie 
 heat, which rendered the bed of iron ore capable of this 
 singular influence, was derived from that attending the 
 formation of the trap rocks of the North Mountains ; an 
 opinion which Messrs. Jackson and Alger consider un- 
 deniable.” Had it been received from that source, all 
 the rocks betw^een those mountains and the ore, would 
 
liave exhibited the marks of caloric. But such is cer- 
 tainly not the fact ; and the trap rocks are placed in a 
 situation indicating a date much later, than even the new 
 red sandstone upon which they rest. If it be true that 
 the primary rocks have been formed, and elevated by 
 heat, there will be no difficulty in accounting for the 
 magnetic properties of the ore, as that rock is not far 
 distant from the metallic bed. 
 
 ANNAPOLIS. 
 
 Huge masses of granite, are scattered upon the sur- 
 face between Clements and Annapolis ; they are detached 
 pieces from the Primary District, and often of large di- 
 mensions. These masses have not been transported far 
 from their original places of abode, as the granite alter- 
 nating with the clay slate, form the high and broken hills, 
 appearing on the south side of tlie beautiful sheet of 
 water, at the head of which the Town of Annapolis is 
 built. The granite of this place contains a large shaie of 
 shining black mica, and sometimes the component parts 
 of that rock are collected in such large crystals, as to 
 give it the appearance of breccia. The feldspar entering 
 into its composition is easily decomposed ; hence the 
 rock decays, crumbles down, and enriches the soil. How 
 far the granite predominates in a south direction from An- 
 napolis, is not known, but from the appearance of tlie high 
 lands, it probably occupies the surface to a considerable 
 distance ; it is certainly inferior to the slate, placed at 
 the base of those peaks, which compared with the argil- 
 lite in its channeled appearance, affords a singular and 
 pleasing contrast. 
 
CLAV SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 33 
 
 At Annapolis it is interesting to observe the approx- 
 imation of the North and South Mountains, diverging 
 from this place like rays from a common central point. 
 They expand gradually, until they reach the Basin of 
 Mines, where the former terminates in a bold and lofty 
 promontory, and forms the side of a very extensive and 
 fertile valley, to be noticed when the Sandstone and Trap 
 Districts of the Country, are considered. Among the 
 misshapen masses and blocks of granite, appearing above 
 the soil in the neighbourhood of Annapolis Town, we 
 obtained two magnesian garnets, one of which is regularly 
 crystallized, under twenty-four trapezoidal faces. The 
 earthy chlorite of Jameson, also occurs in many of the 
 detached pieces of Primary rock ; but from their brittle- 
 ness, few specimens were found worth preserving. The 
 soil in the vicinity of the granite and slate, of this part of 
 the County, is in general luxuriant, although in many 
 places along the side of the Mountain, it is very scanty. 
 
 Between Annapolis and Bridgetown, the granite ap- 
 pears in its proper situation, and forms the abrupt and 
 barren hills seen on the south side of the beautiful river, 
 which winds its way through the fertile marshes of the 
 County, tiling its waters forward to an opening in the 
 trap rocks near Digby, where they are mingled with those 
 of the Bay of Fundy. 
 
 Let such as doubt the existence of Primary rocks in 
 ^ova Scotia, travel the road from Clements to Bridge- 
 town, where the granite not only appears in broken and 
 unconnected masses, but presents a chain of mountains, 
 which almost defies fertility, and marks the horizon with 
 lofty and iiTegular mounds. The slate which accoinpa- 
 
 5 
 
.34 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 iiies the granite, sometimes contains chlorite, and it was 
 expected that greywacke would also appear upon some 
 of these mountains ; we did not however observe any of 
 that rock, so common in other parts of the country. 
 
 Near Paradise River, and in the neighbourhood of 
 Bridgetown, and at a Village called Lawrence Town, 
 immense crystals of smoky quartz have been found from 
 time to time, scattered among the soil. Sometimes from 
 the decomposition of the granite, the summits of beautiful 
 crystals of this mineral, are seen imbedded on their sur- 
 faces, and may be easily extracted. These crystals are 
 identical with those found at Cairn Gorm, in Scotland, 
 and hence their name has been derived. In some instan- 
 ces the crystals appear under the primary form, and pre- 
 sent a rhomb slightly obtuse ; but in general they are six 
 sided prisms, terminated by six-sided pyramids, variously 
 bevelled and truncated. Some are almost as transparent 
 as glass, some are of a rich yellow colour, while others 
 have that dark smoky shade, which has given rise to the 
 appellation of smoky quartz. 
 
 Frequently the Farmers in this part of the country, 
 when ploughing their fields, uncover these beautiful gems ; 
 therefore it is obvious, that the rock in which tliey were 
 once secured, has been broken down, and decomposed, 
 while the crystals from their more compact texture, have 
 resisted the action of the elements, and remain isolated, 
 among the common pebbles of the field. This kind of 
 quartz is employed in jewellery, and adds much to the 
 beauty of the cabinet. 
 
 From Mr. Longley, near Paradise Bridge, we ob- 
 tained parts of two large crystals. One of these is a j)er- 
 
CLA7 SLATE DISTRICT. 35 
 
 feet six-sided pnsm, having a part of its liexaedral summit 
 still preserved. Each of the sides measures two inches 
 crosswise, and the length to the top of the prism is seven 
 inches. A part of the other crystal measures six inches 
 in diameter, and is beautifully transparent, reflecting in a 
 certain position all the colours of the rainbow. Upon the 
 surface of a large piece of the smoky variety, prismatic 
 crystals of schorl, run in different directions, and when 
 viewed through the transparent mass, render its appear- 
 ance singular and pleasing. These specimens are becom- 
 ing scarce; their beauty has increased the demand for 
 them of late, and few pieces can now be obtained, with- 
 out paying down their full value ; notwithstanding a few 
 years ago they were piled up among the common stones 
 of the field, from whence many have been taken and trans- 
 ported to the United States. From Paradise River, on 
 the south side of the Annapolis River, the road passes 
 through a flourishing settlement. The granite alternating 
 with the clay slate, often appears on the side of the South 
 Mountain, forming bold and barren prominences, frown- 
 ing over the fertile valley beneath. 
 
 The above described crystals of quartz, in some 
 degree support the opinion, that granite is of igneous ori- 
 gin. They are well marked by 'their regular forms, and 
 could not be produced by any means we are acquainted 
 with, but by the agency of heat. In searching for these 
 splendid specimens, the mineralogist will do well to ex- 
 amine carefully, for very often fine crystals from their 
 smoky appearance, and the soil that clings to them, may 
 be passed by unnoticed. 
 
36 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 NICTAU. 
 
 Pursuing the Slate District in an easterly direction 
 from Bridgetown, the thick forests prevent the Geologist 
 from following the direct course of the Iron Ore, which 
 doubtless occupies its place among tlie strata of slate, 
 until it reaches Nictau, where it is again exposed on the 
 surface, affording an extensive and rich supply ; and pos- 
 sessing most of the distinctive characters of the ore at 
 Clements. The continuance of the ore is known, from 
 pieces being found at different points between those pla- 
 ces ; and the ferruginous soil covering its bed, may be 
 traced a distance of several miles. Boulders of granite 
 may also be observed on the post road, but they gradually 
 become less frequent at Wilmot, and Aylesford. The 
 bed of iron ore at Nictau is about six feet and a half wide. 
 It will afford an immense quantity of metal, at less ex- 
 pense than it can be procm^ed at many other places, on 
 account of its being divided into cubical masses, and 
 therefore easily broken up. It has but a shallow covering 
 of soil, a large proportion of which is the carbonate of 
 iron. The walls of slate are distinctly separated from the 
 metallic compound, and are not so much intermixed with 
 the iron, as tliose forming tlie sides of the bed at Clements. 
 This ore is very sinailar to that already described. It is 
 the magnetic oxide of iron, possessed of metallic lustre, 
 is of a superior quality, and offers every inducement for 
 working. Several years ago, a smelting fmnace was 
 erected near the spot, and excellent iron is now in use in 
 Cornwallis, which was manufactured at that foundry. It 
 has since been deserted, in consequence of an influence 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 37 
 
 said to have been used by iron mercliants in London. 
 This ore like that at Clements j abounds in marine organic 
 remains, and die impressions they have made in die ore 
 and slate, are extremely beautiful and distinct. They 
 cannot fail to give every enquiring mind some idea of the 
 wonderful changes which have taken place upon our Planet 
 since its original creation. Millions of shell-fish, of the 
 moluscous and crustaceous tribes, which once enjoyed a 
 perfect animal existence, have been swallowed up by this 
 ore, where their remains and perfect likenesses are yet 
 seen, in die same natural and symmetrical beauty they 
 possessed when alive. They are almost all bivalves of 
 the genus anomia^ although some were obtained resem- 
 bling the nautilus disenSy and planorbis cequalis. 
 
 The shells at Nictau, aie as abimdant in the iron ore 
 as in die slate. That compound, which yields fifty per 
 cent, of pure metal, also contains those ancient relics. 
 Many Geologists have supposed, that metallic veins were 
 filled by injecdons of melted matter from beneath ; others^ 
 that they have received their contents from above ; but 
 without entering into the arguments of either side, the 
 facts as they occur in the great western iron ore bed of 
 the Province, are such as will in some degree disprove 
 both of those opinions. Had the ore bed at Nictau, been 
 filled from beneath upwards, it seems almost impossible 
 diat the shells now contained in it, would enter into its 
 contents, and be scattered promiscuously throughout its 
 whole extent. The same observation may apply to its 
 having been filled from above. In either instance the 
 shells which occupy the walls on both sides of the ore, 
 would leave their impressions, or offer basso relievo's 
 
38 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 upon it, but could not be mixed among its masses. 
 Wherefore considering those circumstances, and the ad- 
 mixture of the ore with the surrounding slate, it must be 
 believed that they are of contemporaneous origin. 
 
 The Clay Slate of Nova Scotia, in general belongs 
 to that class, called by the older Geologists, transition 
 rocks ; as they supposed that those strata were formed at 
 that period, when the earth was passing from a chaotic to 
 an habitable state. But however just such opinions may 
 be, it is evident that the strata and ore at Nictau, were 
 formed posterior to the creation of the primary rocks. 
 This fact is not only proved by the shells contained in 
 the Slate District, but also by the occuiTence of pieces 
 of granite embraced in its strata, shewing at once its later 
 origin ; for it is plain tliat any substance which encloses 
 another, must have been in action, subsequent to the 
 origin of the thing enclosed. 
 
 The strata of slate, and the bed of iron ore, are 
 nearly in a perpendicular direction, extending from south 
 west to north east. It is singular that the stratum of ore 
 makes a gentle curve to the southward, and represents 
 a segment of an immense circle. This fact is obvious on 
 the farm of Mr. Banks, where a channel has been formed 
 eight feet deep, by removing tlie ore to supply the Anna- 
 polis foundry during its operations. 
 
 It is somewhat difficult to account for this circular 
 \ 
 
 direction of the ore, although it is not impossible that the 
 eruption of a dyke of porphyry near it, may have produ- 
 ced this peculiar circumstance. 
 
 About a mile and a half north west from the spot 
 where the iron ore has been exposed, the Nictau Falls 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 39 
 
 come foaming down a narrow and tortuous channel, worn 
 out of the strata of slate. Several Mills have been erect- 
 ed at this romantic locality, a part of the river has been 
 turned from its original bed, and compelled to perform 
 the labour of sawing wood, and grinding corn. The 
 snug farms and cottages on each side of this picturesque 
 and rapid stream, render it a pleasant and interesting spot. 
 
 Were an iron foundry erected at Nictau Falls, it is 
 impossible that it would be unprofitable. Only a mile 
 and a half from the ore, the rapid river would supply a 
 power, more than sufficient to carry machinery that might 
 be required under most extensive operations ; and the 
 mountains to the southward, would supply fuel for many 
 ages. In many countries this valuable bed of iron would 
 not only become a source of private wealth and specula- 
 tion, but also would be considered of vital importance to 
 the Colony, wherever it should be discovered. Near the 
 ore of the County of Annapolis, and in a situation where 
 fuel is abundant, a large sum of money has been expend- 
 ed in erecting furnaces, and all tliose necessary buildings 
 connected with the manufacture of iron. Workmen were 
 employed, the ore smelted, and found rich, and tlie whole 
 establishment commenced with that energy, which seemed 
 so desirable to a country sending abroad for ploughshares, 
 harrow teeth, and sickles. But almost in an instant, the 
 demon of the land spreads out his wings over the treasures 
 of the Province— the foundry is deserted and sold, at a 
 price too low to be named. 
 
 It will perhaps be said, that the high price of labour 
 retards the progress of manufactories in this Province ; 
 but this cannot be the real difficulty in the present case. 
 
40 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 for labour is equally high in the United States > where 
 manufactories are extremely profitable. All tlie circum- 
 stances were doubtless considered beforehand) in regard 
 to the Annapolis foundiy, for they were nicely calculated 
 by Americans themselves. And we hesitate not to declare 
 that tlie mining) and smelting of the iron ore at Clements, 
 and Nictau, may be as profitably conducted as it can be 
 in any other part of the world. When we lifted the ore 
 from the bed at Nictau, with a spade imported from Eng- 
 land, and broke some of its masses with a hammer of 
 Swedish iron and German steel, we could not refrain 
 from giving utterance to some unpleasant feelings, and 
 lament over a country whose resources seem blighted and 
 forgotten. 
 
 Upon the road which extends from Nictau to Liver- 
 pool, and crosses both the Primary and Clay Slate Dis- 
 tricts of the Province, we observed a kind of Porphyry 
 similar to that rock at Clements. This Porphyry forms 
 an extensive dyke, that crosses the strata of Clay Slate, 
 and the iron ore rather obliquely. The direction of this 
 dyke is distinctly marked by its being a little more eleva- 
 ted tlian tlie neighbouring rocks, and apparently covered 
 with a different kind of timber. This rock is of a pale 
 blue color, its base is hornblende, containing crystals of 
 white feldspar, and the aggregate resembles porphyry 
 brought from Ben Nevis, one of the highest mountains 
 of Scotland. The great growth of timber, and tliick 
 underbrush on the road, are obstacles not easily over- 
 come, and their entangled branches prevent any exten- 
 sive examinations of the rocks over which they are tliick- 
 ly spread. Although the hare and fox may pass along in 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 41 
 
 safety, the hands and face of man can scarcely escape 
 unhurt. Advancing upon the road to Liverpool, the slate 
 ^ will again be seen, alternating with the granite, in the 
 same manner that it does at Croghan Kinshela, in Ireland, 
 n one instance Gneiss was observed, and in another 
 place mica slate appeared in large tabular masses, leaning 
 against the sides of an abrupt mass of primary rock. 
 
 The clay slate is superior to the mica slate ; the 
 granite supports extensive tracts, that only afford pasture 
 for the moose and carriboo which have escaped the hun- 
 ter’s vigilance, and are often seen playing their antic 
 pranks upon them. 
 
 Between Nictau and Liverpool, and among the de- 
 tached pieces of argillite, we discovered a substance hav- 
 ing a feeble metallic lustre, of a lead grey color, with a 
 tarnished surface. Its streak is metallic fracture foliated, 
 and it corresponds with the foliated copper glance of Jam- 
 eson. Before the blowpipe it gives the fumes of sulphur, 
 and yields a small globule of copper, mixed with iron, 
 hence it may be denominated the sulphuret of copper. In 
 what quantity it exists, is unknown, for a toilsome day’s 
 journey had produced some fatigue, and we, although 
 reluctantly, plodded homeward from a place, which the 
 numerous duties of life, have prevented us from visiting 
 since. The appearance of the sulphuret of copper, was 
 indeed unexpected, and produced at the time much in- 
 terest, particularly as it is like the beautiful specimens of 
 that mineral found in the mines of Cornwall, among the 
 slate called by the miners Killas. 
 
 The relation the slate in Nova Scotia, holds to the 
 granite, its similar direction, and the indications of cop- 
 
42 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 per already mentioned, compared with those circumstan- 
 ces, as they exist in Derbyshire, and other parts of Great 
 Britain, will support the opinion, that the Slate District 
 of this Province contains copper, and probably in abun- 
 dance. And as tin frequently occurs in the neighbourhood 
 of copper, it is far from being improbable, that our unin- 
 habited mountains, and hills of slate, will at some future 
 period, supply that quantity an increasing demand re- 
 quires. But as the situations where those valuable mine- 
 rals are deposited, are now covered by thick, unfre- 
 quented forests, soil, and decayed vegetable matter, and 
 more especially as all stimulus is taken from the inhabi- 
 tants to pursue useful enquiries of this kind all the pro- 
 fits arising therefrom, would only fill the coffers of a few 
 individuals who do not reside in the country, and Nova 
 Scotia as a Colony, does not enjoy a share of the advan- 
 tages to be gained y no investigation is made farther than 
 to advance the cause of science, while those articles which 
 might be raised from beneath our native soil, are now 
 imported at a great expence. In searching for copper 
 among the slate rocks, much valuable information may be 
 gained, by immersing clean plates of steel or old iron, in 
 the springs, wherever they are discovered ; the air will 
 decompose the sulphate of copper, sulphuric acid will be 
 produced, and a new combination formed. The acid 
 possesses a stronger affinity for iron than copper, will 
 unite with the former, and leave the metal upon the plates. 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 43 
 
 AYLESFORD. ' 
 
 In passing thiough WiJmot and Aylesford, in an 
 easterly direction, the immense valley situated between 
 the Nortli aiid South Mountains, will have expanded a 
 considerable distance. The slate formation, accompanied 
 by the bed of iron ore, occupies the high lands southward 
 of tliose Townships ; and occasionally an elevation of 
 granite lifts its head above the oilier hills, maiking the 
 boundary of the primaiy rock. From the country seat 
 of His Lordship the Bishop of Nova Scotia, a line view 
 is afforded of the high lands on each side of the great 
 valley, and the parallel ridges of slate may be contrasted 
 with the more bold and majestic scenery of the trap rocks 
 to the northward. Near Harris’s Inn," and at numerous 
 places in this Township, there are extensive deposits of 
 the argillaceous oxide of iron. It occupies bogs, ponds, 
 and swamps, varying from one to six feet in depth ; and 
 as in some situations it rests upon the shallow basins of 
 the slate, it will now be noticed, although its considera- 
 tion might have been deferred until a view is taken of tlic 
 great valley of King’s and Annapolis Counties. 
 
 The argillaceous oxide of iron, has by some been 
 called ‘‘ shot ore,” or ‘‘bog ore.” In Aylesford, its 
 colour is a brownish yellow ; it lias a cellulai* sU'ucture, 
 and is perforated as if it had been eaten by worms, or re- 
 sembles the cinders of the blacksmitli’s forge. It is easily 
 broken, and the recent fracture has a resinous lustre. 
 The surface is friable, soils tlie fingers, and is ochreous — 
 specific gravity 3.25, and according to Bergman, con- 
 tains the cold short qualities of the metal. In some spe- 
 
44 * CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 cimens lime, and in others the black oxide of manganese 
 has been detected. Like this kind of ore in general, it 
 occurs in low swampy grounds, where it is collecting 
 daily from the stagnant water holding the oxide of iion in 
 solution. This kind of iron ore is common in England, 
 France, and the United States. The ore ofAylesfoid 
 would probably be advantageously mixed witli the ore of 
 Nictaii, and although the former yields only about thirty 
 five per cent, of pure iron, the quality of the metal con- 
 tained in each would be improved by mixing. 
 
 It is evident that die water from which the iron ore 
 at this place, is derived, is impregnated with the oxide of 
 iron, existing extensively in the sands of the Township, 
 through which numerous streams are ever passing, and 
 carrying along with them the decomposed iron sand, and 
 finally lodging it in the lower grounds. The soil near the 
 mai’gin of the ponds, and swamps, is ferruginous, and not 
 remarkable for its fertility. The argillaceous oxide might 
 be advantageously worked ; but as a richer land of ore 
 can be obtained in a more eligible situation, it is not 
 probable that it will ever be required for smelting, sepa- 
 rately from other ores of iron. 
 
 The unbroken forests crowning the summits of the 
 South Mountains from Aylesford to Horton, prevent any 
 inspection of their rocks for a considerable distance ; 
 but from the scenery they exhibit, and their occurrence 
 in a direct course farther eastward from that place, their 
 continuity cannot be doubted. A visit was made to 
 English’s Mountain, tliree miles south of the Annapolis 
 road, where the slate was again observed, and found to 
 alternate with the granite. Still farther southward the 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 45 
 
 primary rock forms several abrupt and elevated ridges, 
 terminated by steep and naked cliffs, which add much to 
 the grandeur of the gloomy scenery of a new country. 
 The granite of these liills is very compact and heavy, its 
 ingredients are mixed in regular proportions, affording the 
 kind commonly used for millstones. 
 
 A large valley occupying the space between two 
 rounded liills of slate, wliicb rise to the souUiward and 
 westward of English’s Mountain, is covered with large 
 irregular masses of granite, piled upon each like eggs in a 
 basket., Occasionally a sturdy spruce, and a few creep- 
 ing evergreens, are seen making an effort to live in the 
 interstices of these boulders, and the haie finds a safe 
 reueat in the crevices produced by tlieir disordered po- 
 sition. .'These masses have evidendy been exiled from 
 dieir native situations, by some sudden and violent erup- 
 tion, by which also rocks of the same kind have been 
 conveyed to those places, where they now appear in 
 isolated blocks upon the surface. i 
 
 .y Decomposed slate and granite mixed with sand, and 
 rounded pebbles, cover the rocks in many places, and 
 sometimes to a great depth in this part of tlie County of 
 King’s ; and the hopes of successful cultivation seemed 
 to increase, as we proceeded in an easterly direction. 
 
 u 
 
 HORTON. 
 
 At Beech Hill, a floui'ishing settlement about three 
 miles southward of Kentville, the industrious inhabitants 
 of the South Mountains, liave removed some of those 
 obstacles from the surface of tlie eaith, which prevent 
 
Ui 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 many extensive examinations from being made in situa- 
 tions farther westward. At that place all the varieties of 
 clay slate (argillite) may be seen. The strata are highly 
 inclined, and in some instances almost vertical ; they run 
 north east and south west, and display all the colours of 
 this kind of rock. Brick red, pale red, brown, grey and 
 several intermediate shades, are here observable in the 
 slate. Its fracture is sometimes undulated and conchoidal, 
 but more frequently it separates into thin plates of equal 
 thickness throughout. Some layers aie very brittle, and 
 even friable, others are compact and will hardly yield be- 
 fore the knife ; again, others produce soft tables that can 
 be easily sawed, and cut into any shape. Roof slate 
 {shiste ardoise of Brongniart,) is abundant throughout the 
 whole slate district of the Province ; but at the place just 
 mentioned it is not only plentiful, but can be quarried at 
 a moderate expense, and will equal in quality any obtain- 
 ed at Bangor in Wales. Near Kentville a slate quarry 
 has been recently opened, and the quality of the article 
 taken from it, appears favourable to a more extensive spe- 
 culation than has yet been entered into by its proprietors. 
 
 In opening a quarry of slate, great care should be 
 taken to avoid a situation where the sulphuret of iron ap- 
 peal's, for that salt will hasten its destruction, and render 
 it unfit for covering roofs. Also that kind which will ab- 
 sorb much water, should not be chosen, as the action oi 
 rains, and frost, will soon destroy it or render it useless 
 for any purpose. 
 
 Beautiful specimens of marine fossil plants, have been 
 discovered in the slate at the above quarry. One of 
 these fossils was first discovered by AVilliam B. Webster, 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 47 
 
 M. D., of Kentville ; it belongs to the zooph3'te family, 
 and is considered to be a submarine plant of the oldest 
 formations. It originally consisted of many delicate, 
 divided, and jointed branches, bearing a close resemblance 
 to some species of moss. By some unknown agency, 
 its calcareous coat has been converted into iron pyrites, 
 and a perfect form composed of that mineral still remains 
 in the slate, where it resembles a light bronze painting. 
 This fossil is a species of articulated coraline, and it 
 nearly resembles a kind common on the shores of Nova 
 Scotia. 
 
 Besides the coraline, sponges and other aqueous 
 plants, are abundant in the argillite of Beech Hill. We 
 obtained here large plates of slate, covered with the re- 
 mains and prints of these marine productions, which now 
 resemble paintings of the branches of trees, beautifully 
 displayed in the colours of the carbonate and sulphuret 
 of iron. 
 
 It is certainly remarkable, that in these the oldest of 
 the secondary strata, in Nova Scotia, the organic remains 
 belong altogether to the sea, and none of Uie animals 
 and plants of the present earth can be found among them. 
 It may also be observed by some, that tliese fossil plants 
 and animals are very simple in their structure, and appa- 
 rently very inferior in regard to organization, to tliose now 
 living upon the earth. From these circumstances, some 
 have sup{K)sed that there has been a gradual develope- 
 ment of animals and plants upon the globe, from the low- 
 est up to the highest grades — from the zoophyte upon the 
 rock, up to the Lord of Creation. But such reasoning 
 must be refuted by the consideration, that the little snail 
 
4S 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 clinging to the blade of grass, or crawling about with 
 tardy pace, carries with him a machine equally as com- 
 plicated as that of the human system ; and his creation 
 would require as great an exertion of Almighty Power, as 
 that by which man, with all his intellectual faculties, was 
 called into existence. 
 
 Near the Gaspereau Lake, greywacke appears, form- 
 ing a part of one of those elevations by which the pictur- 
 esque scenery of this hew settlement, is in many places so 
 beautifully diversified. The greywacke alternates with 
 the slate, and at some spots contains small quantities of 
 transition limestone. About a mile from the Village of 
 Kentville, and upon the banks of “ Mill Brook,” the old 
 red sandstone crops out, and forms broad and sloping 
 precipices, upon which, and in the neighbourhood of the 
 Village, there are extensive deposits of diluvial detritus, 
 consisting of beds of clay, sand, and water worn pebbles. 
 
 Near the banks of the rapid brook, and among the 
 slate, a species of anthracite was observed. The ochrey 
 red oxide of iron, (red ochre,) and the ochrey brown 
 oxide of iron, (yellow ochre,) also occur in considerable 
 veins among the slate. Each of these substances receiv- 
 ed considerable attention in King’s County not long since, 
 and a very industrious individual erected a paint mill, at 
 considerable expense, in order to convert them into pig- 
 ments. Several buildings in that portion of the country, 
 are painted with those materials manufactured at Kent- 
 ville : notwithstanding, the enterprise of the ingenious 
 manufacturer has proved unsuccessful. 
 
 Before the visitor descends from the South Mountains 
 near Kentville, let him take a view of the extensive valley 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 49 
 
 before him. On its north side rise those mountains of 
 basaltic columns, which with proud elevation line the 
 coast of the Bay of Fundy, protecting the beautiful and 
 fertile Township of Cornwallis, and all the settlements 
 situated at their base, from the bleak north-wester, so 
 well known, and so little admired in Nova Scotia. Let 
 him turn his eyes towards the western horizon, and as far 
 as vision extends, the red sandstone supports the soil of 
 tlie almost level country before him, while rocks of dif- 
 ferent classes are thrown up like walls on each of its sides, 
 aflbrding shelter both from southern and northern gales ; 
 and lastly, let a glance be taken at the bustling little Vil- 
 lage beneath his feet, and he will admire not only the 
 grand and beautiful spectacle before him, but also the in- 
 fant town below, prepared to afford him those refresh- 
 ments his stroll will have rendered necessary. In the 
 neighbourhood of Kentville, the new red sandstone is in 
 contact with the old red sandstone, the members of the 
 mountain limestone, and coal groups, being deficient. 
 The great bed of iron, represented as occupying a place 
 tliroughout the whole South Mountain range, has not yet 
 been discovered south of that Village ; but from the oc- 
 currence of detached pieces of the ore, iron pyrites, and 
 the carbonate of iron at Beech Hill, no doubt can be 
 entertained of its uninterrupted existence, even farther 
 eastward than that place. 
 
 -- Upon the road extending from Kentville to Sher- 
 brooke, after passing across the slate formation, and a 
 ridp of greywacke, the granite of the Primary District 
 again appears. At some places that rock alternates with 
 
 the slate ; but in general it occupies large tracts, foimine 
 
 7 
 
50 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 a part of that elevated chain of hills, extending almost 
 through the country, in the direction of the slate, its 
 companion. 
 
 Upon the New Canaan road, and before the hill is 
 ascended to that beautiful settlement, the clay slate was 
 discovered to be in contact with the new red sandstone. 
 This sandstone of the marly group, is the margin of that 
 rock which underlies the soil of the beautiful and exten- 
 sive valley previously noticed, and again to be consider- 
 ed when that formation is described. The slate conti- 
 nues on the road about three miles. Its strata are nearly 
 vertical, and display all the varieties of texture and color 
 seen at Beech Hill. About midway in New Canaan set- 
 tlement, the slate is met by greywacke^ and greywacke 
 slate. 
 
 In the greywacke and greywacke slate of New 
 Canaan, we were rather surprised to discover the remains 
 of the encrinite, and trilobate, identical with those 
 found in the limestone of Germany. It has been assert- 
 ed by a celebrated Geologist, that this species of the 
 encrinite only occurs in the old mountain limestone ; 
 but he would be surprised to find it in the greywacke of 
 this country, and also in the iron ore. It is a strong ar- 
 gument in favour of the contemporaneous origin of slate, 
 greywacke, and iron ore of the Province, that they con- 
 tain similar organic remains tliroughout. Extending from 
 one extremity of the country to the other, a certain num- 
 ber of strata contain the relics of animals belonging to 
 the same epoch, and exhibiting the same characters 
 wherever they are found. 
 
 One of the fossils mentioned is called the lilly en- 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 51 
 
 crinite, from its resemblance to the lilly resting upon its 
 stalk. It is supposed that the animal resided in the base 
 of the flower, and those portions of it which were move- 
 able, stood stretched out like arms to seize its prey. In 
 the greywacke at New Canaan this fossil animal appears 
 like the lilly with its capsule and petals closed. That 
 j)art resembling tlie flower, is beautifully figiu^ed and in- 
 dented on the surface, and throughout the whole of its 
 body. From the base of the flower proceeds the stalk, 
 which sometimes penetrates the rock to considerable dis- 
 tance. This stalk is composed of circular rings placed 
 one upon another, like the windpipe of some fowls. In 
 one specimen those rings are perfect and regular ; in 
 another every fourth circle is enlarged in its circumfer- 
 ence. When a section of this singular fossil is polished, 
 it has the appearance of the sun-fish. The serrated edges 
 of the petals meet each other, forming a zigzag line. — 
 After a section of tlie stalk has been made, it exhibits a 
 cellular structure, and in some instances, dark rays pro- 
 ceed from a central circle to the circumference. The 
 circular rings forming the stalk, give it the appearance of 
 a necklace ; hence the fossil has been called encrinilis 
 noniliformis, or necklace encrinite. The remains of 
 this animal at New Canaan, will be distinguished by its 
 white appearance, and the imitative figures it presents. 
 
 It is often of large dimensions ; some were procured dur- 
 ing our last visit to their stony graves, as large as water- 
 melons, although in general they are much compressed, 
 and have been flattened by tlie weight of the rock resting 
 upon them when in a soft state. 
 
 This species of radiated animals is now altogether 
 
52 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 extinct, and many ages have passed by since a living 
 specimen could be produced. It has never been disco- 
 vered in any of the stiata placed above the new red 
 sandstone, and as it does not appear but in few of the 
 older strata, the whole race must have enjoyed but a 
 short existence, when every individual belonging to the 
 family was deprived of life, and cemented in a solid 
 mass of the grey wacke ; or in other instances so perfect- 
 ly desU’oyed, as to leave no record of their existence 
 and history. 
 
 In the same rock which embraces the encrinite, a 
 species of the trilobate appears. This fossil most fre- 
 quently exhibits an hexangular cell, once occupied by 
 the living animal ; each lobe has left two sides impressed 
 in the rock. From tlie peltings of the rain, and other 
 causes, the internal parts of the fossil have been worn, 
 and scooped out, leaving its crustaceous covering a faith- 
 ful witness of its former existence. They are not numer- 
 ous, and vary in size from one to two inches in lengtli. 
 When a new fracture of the rock is made, two or more 
 of their lobes are sometimes uncovered, each having a 
 furrowed appearance. Like the encrinite, the remains of 
 this singular animal have not been discovered in any strata 
 newer than the old mountain limestone, therefore number- 
 less ages must have passed away, since it became altoge- 
 ther extinct. The trilobate has been called the Dudley 
 Fossil, and is found near Binningham, and other parts of 
 'Great Britain ; Germany and Sweden have also an abun- 
 dance of these fossil creatures. 
 
 In some situations, myriads of these animals once 
 * enjoyed life, so that it has been presumed that their pow- 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 53 
 
 ers of multiplication have been prodigious. But few en- 
 quiries respecting the character and habits of these ancient 
 animals, have been made, and an accurate account of 
 them can scarcely be expected. At what period in the 
 histoty of this globe were they created ? What tremen- 
 dous revolution placed them in tlieir present situation ? 
 And by what means were they converted into compact, 
 
 , ponderous rock ? are questions few can answer with satis- 
 faction to themselves, or with safety for the reputation of 
 their common sense, to others. 
 
 The scenery in the settlement of New Canaan, is 
 extensive and pleasing. Besides a view of the great 
 valley seen from Beech Hill, we have here to the soutli 
 west, deep ravines witli steep banks, beneath which 
 winding cliannels are formed, giving passage to torrents 
 of rain, after they have descended, and washed the oval 
 summits of the liills. It is true there are no elevations of 
 great height m this neighbourhood, but the earth is deeply 
 furrowed by the upturned ridges of slate, and offers a 
 landscape, singularly diversified when contrasted with the 
 level appearance of tlie Sandstone District, over which 
 the lofty peak of the frowning Blomidon, may be seen 
 ready to fall into the beautiful Basin curling at its base. 
 By turning the eye southward, a long low depression will 
 be perceived ; here the Gaspereau River, having taken 
 its rise from a large lake, rolls on from cataract to cata- 
 ract, or murmurs among the strata of slate, where it is 
 compelled to pass. 
 
 From Kentville to the Church atWolfville, the new 
 red sandstone is probably m contact witli the slate ; 
 altliough the large collections of rounded pebbles mixed 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 55 
 
 very limited inspection, to gratify our wishes. The ore 
 is evidently discontinued at that spot where the slate is 
 succeeded by the grey sandstone, on that part of the 
 mountains where the road passes from Horton to Wind- 
 sor, as the sandstone is of much more recent formation 
 than the slate containing its bed. The ridge of granite 
 at Wolfville, may perhaps be on the same line which 
 separates the slate from the sandstone. The whole con- 
 figuration of tlie country in tliis District, running with 
 the eye along the granitic ridge, and the supposed junc- 
 tion of it and the sandstone, presents the idea of an 
 ancient shore, from which the waters have retreated. 
 Grey sandstone of different shades, occupies that part of 
 Horton eastward of the Windsor road. Several pieces 
 of fossil plants have been found near “ Lyman’s Hill.” 
 They are of the fern tribe, and similar to those of the 
 coal fields of Cumberland. 
 
 A sudden and extensive interruption is made in the 
 Slate District of Nova Scotia, where the Avon, with all 
 its tributary streams, issue from tlie country, and pour 
 their waters into the Basin of Mines. At Horton Bluff, 
 Falmouth, and on the road to Chester, including in the 
 whole a distance of twenty-five miles in a southerly 
 direction, no slate appears, so that a deep notch or ter- 
 mination in its strata, is occupied by a more recent for- 
 mation. 
 
 From Falmouth Bridge the Avon will be seen, ex- 
 tending its branches with many curves and windings, into 
 the mountains of slate, appearing again in connection 
 with the granite in a south west direction. From what 
 has been already observed, it must appear probable, tliat 
 
56 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 the bed of iron ore, accompanying the slate formation, 
 from Clements to Nictau, and from thence to some part 
 of the liigh lands of Horton, is finally cut off somewhere 
 in that Township. For admitting that it follows a direct 
 course, which is evident as far as our discoveries have 
 extended, that course is nearly north east : wherefore, 
 the ore must necessarily terminate somewhere in the 
 Horton Mountains, where the slate itself ceases to con- 
 tinue its course. 
 
 It is impossible that the ore can occupy a place 
 throughout the whole length of tlie South Mountains, as 
 far as Pictou, and according to the opinions of Jackson 
 and Alger. For as the sandstone succeeds the slate in 
 Lower Horton, Falmouth, and Windsor, and the latter 
 rock is withdrawn many miles farther southw^ard than its 
 former range, the ore to continue its course tvould have 
 to penetrate freestone, limestone, and gypsum, or dip 
 beneath the winters of the Basin of Mines, and again rise 
 in the slate of Pictou. But these are things impossible, 
 although not more so tlian that the ore should make the 
 necessary cur\^e at Windsor River, diverge to the south- 
 ward fifteen miles with tlie slate, and still have its conti- 
 nuance uninterrupted. Indeed the facts already knowm, 
 and thus briefly stated, are almost sufficient to prove the 
 final termination of the great western iron ore bed, some- 
 where in the Mountains of Horton. 
 
 - The sturdy forests covering large portions of the 
 counties of Hants, Lunenburg, and King’s, wdiere the 
 Indian hunter alone travels the bleak and gloomy moun- 
 tains — where the tiacks of the moose and carriboo direct 
 him from ravine to ravine, urging him forward to the 
 
clay slate district. 
 
 57 
 
 conquests of ilie chace— where the hollow sound of the 
 woodsman's axe, and his cheerful whistle, have never 
 echoed— where the bear and wild cat stalk fearlessly, re- 
 gardless of man and his destructive habits, — here the 
 labours of tlie Geologist are almost useless, and from 
 thence the naturalist longs to return to the haunts of men. 
 Even here we discovered fine specimens of lead ore, 
 scattered along the bottom of a rapid brook, where they 
 had been conveyed by tbe violence of the stream. 
 
 ARDOISE HILLS. 
 
 At Ardoisc Hills, an opportunity rs again aflbrded 
 for the examination of the slate. The strata run north, 
 58 ® east, deviating a little from their general direction 
 throughout the Province. The old route of the Windsor 
 Road, is much more interesting than the new, as the 
 latter has been made without consulting the wishes, either 
 of the Geologist, or those who are fond of picturesque 
 scenery. The new road has been made along the lower 
 lands, so that steep hills are avoided, and a more safe, 
 easy and comfortable communication to the Capital, is 
 afforded. The slate of these hills has little variety. 
 Specimens of indurated talc sometimes occur, but not 
 often. About a mile to the westward of the old road, 
 roof slate of a good quality might be quarried to advantage.’ 
 On the most elevated summit of one of these hills, a 
 telegraph was formerly erected ; but a general and pre- 
 vailing peace, and the improved state of the roads through- 
 out the Province, have been the cause of its abandon- 
 ment ; and that lofty pole, which once bore signals of 
 
 8 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 59 
 
 met by the new red sandstone, on its northern side, and 
 that the latter rock forms both sides, and the bottom of 
 the Basin of Mines. 
 
 Greywacke, and greywacke slate, accompany the 
 argillite, cross die Grand Lake, and the road between 
 Halifax and Truro, and continue eastward through the 
 high lands of the Township of Egerton, to the hills of 
 Antigonish, and Cape Breton. Nor does the slate ter- 
 minate at that place ; still farther eastward, and in contact 
 with granite, it lifts its strata among the mountains of 
 Neivfoundland. 
 
 PICTOU. 
 
 In die District of Pictou, and twelve miles south 
 east from the thriving Town of New Glasgow, there is an 
 immense bed of iron ore, at a place called McLellan’s 
 Mountain. Leaving the great coal field of Pictou, and 
 ascending diis mountain, the scenery becomes suddenly 
 changed, where die elevated ridges of slate, and grey- 
 wacke slate are travelled. Instead of the low, and 
 rounded summits of the sandstone hills, the older forma- 
 tions start up before the eye ; lofty ridges of slate, sepa- 
 rated by deep ravines, are seen far south, and towards 
 their termination. 
 
 In approaching the great Eastern Iron Ore bed of 
 Nova Scotia, from the westward, die meagre condition 
 of die soil will indicate a change in the underlieing rocks, 
 and numerous strata of a fine red coloured slate, cross 
 die road a short distance from the ore. The bed of iron 
 is about eighteen feet wide, and is enclosed in walls of 
 
60 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 greywacke slate, with which the ore is not intermixed, 
 in the way it was observed at Clements. The strata of 
 slate, and greywacke slate, as well as the bed of iron ore, 
 are highly inclined, and extend north 65 ® east. This 
 great deposit of tlie iron has been opened, and a quantity 
 of its contents removed to the Albion Mines. Its direc- 
 tion can be traced a considerable distance on the surface, 
 and it may be observed extending across a small farm 
 cleared on the spot. The ore is generally of a reddish 
 brown colour, and when recently taken from the quarry, 
 possesses considerable metallic lusUc. Its stnicturc is 
 slaty, and powder red. W e could not discover that it 
 had any magnetic properties, and therefore it is different 
 in this particular, from tlie ore of the western part of tlie 
 Province. 
 
 This ore is a peroxide of iron, and will yield about 
 fifty-five per cent, of pure metal. Like the ore of 
 Clements and Nictau, it abounds in marine organic re- 
 mains. The ancient shells are white in tlie newly raised 
 ore, and consist principally of the carbonate of lime, 
 occasionally united to a little of the phosphate. Upon 
 exposure to tlie weather the lime becomes gradually de- 
 composed, and beautiful impressions of the shells remain 
 in tlie metallic compound. At the time of our visit, a 
 small field of wheat had been sown directly over tlie bed, 
 and the soil was made up of small pieces of ore, and the 
 red oxide of iron. The numerous fragments of this field 
 abound in the remains and impressions of the inhabitants 
 of the sea, which aie now placed several hundred feet 
 above tlie level of the present ocean, and ai*e yearly 
 exposed to the movements of tlie plough and hoe. 1 hese 
 
CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 61 
 
 leinaiiis are also abundant in the greywacke slate, and 
 may be collected among heaps of stones piled in the 
 field. Numerous fossil shells were observed several 
 miles from this place, and in the greywacke slate, of 
 which an industrious farmer had erected a wall. 
 
 That the ore and greywacke slate were formed under 
 similar circumstances, there can be no doubt, as the 
 organic remains in both arc alike, and i)lainfy prove, that 
 each of those now solid substances were originally be- 
 neath the waters of some ancient ocean, once swarming 
 witli testaceous animals. 
 
 The organic remains at McLellan’s Mountain, agree 
 so perfectly with tliose of Clements, Nictau, and Horton, 
 it is evident they were the inhabitants of the same period,' 
 and were annihilated by the same terrestrial revolution.' 
 Although we are not prepared to admit, that tlic metallic 
 vein of Clements and Nictau extends the whole distance 
 from those places to Pictou, there can be no doubt that 
 the rocks, ore, and shells, at each extremity of the Pro- 
 vince, have had one common origin, and were elevated 
 from the sea at the same lime. 
 
 The shells contained in the ore of Pictou, are tlie 
 terebratulite, pectinite, cardium elongatum, and encrinite. 
 Of tlie latter, several portions of the cylindrical tubes, 
 and the flowering tops were obtained ; the former have 
 the rings perfect, and resemble those from the Horton 
 Mountains. 
 
 We have no desire to enter into nice theories, as it 
 is foreign to our wishes, and the object of this work. 
 Put this enquiry may be made. If the slate district of 
 Nova Scotia were formed at tlie bottom of an ancient 
 
62 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 ocean, (a fact which is plainly proved by its organic re- 
 mains,) is it not possible that the different layers of slate, 
 greywacke, &c., might have been successive deposits of 
 sand and argillaceous particles, which formed the sub- 
 marine surface ? And might not the extensive bed of 
 iron ore have been a deposit of iron sand, of which the 
 Isle of Sable, and Banks of Newfoundland, fmnish now 
 vast quantities ? When we consider the extensive dis- 
 ruptions of the primeval world, even tliese results appear 
 more than probable. 
 
 It has been already stated, that a quantity of iron 
 ore had been removed from McLellan’s Mountain, to the 
 smelting furnace at the Albion Mines j but the reader will 
 perhaps be much surprised, tliat instead of working the 
 ore of the Province, iron in pigs, is now imported from 
 England, and used at tlie Pictou foundry, and in the im- 
 mediate neighbourhood of an inexliaustable store of that 
 metal. An enquiry was made, why the ore of Nova 
 Scotia was not used in preference to the imported metal, 
 and we were informed, that tlie ore of this Province, is 
 too rich for manufacture, and would not “run” when 
 melted. The richness of any ore, is generally the last 
 objection against its use, and complaints are more fre- 
 quently raised against its poverty. Nor can it be possible 
 that tills is the real difficulty in the way. 
 
 It is true tliat the phosphate of lime, and alumine 
 contained in the ore of Pictou, may render the process 
 of smelting somewhat different from tliat of materials 
 containing none of these substances ; but it cannot be sup- 
 posed, tliat the scientific gentlemen of the Mining Asso- 
 ciation, are unacquainted with the chemical properties of 
 the ore, and tlie proper fluxes for its reduction. 
 
G4 
 
 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 agree with the chemical effects it will produce. It is 
 probable that the hematite at the above place, is con- 
 nected with the great bed of iron ore, although we were 
 unable to trace any such connection, as the surface in 
 many places is closely covered with lofty trees, and tliick 
 underbrush. 
 
 Grey wacke and greywacke slate appear on the south 
 side of Antigonish, and on the shores of Chedabucto 
 Bay. The latter occupies the east river of Merigomish, 
 and extends to Arisaig Pier, where it is penetrated by a 
 bed of porphyry. At Guysboro the greywacke contains 
 veins of the specular oxyde of iron. It is also believed, 
 that there are ores of lead on Salmon River. The In- 
 dians, it is said, formerly made their bullets of lead found 
 among the hills of this part of tlie country ; and as they 
 refuse to make their discovery known, we regret that we 
 have been unable to extend our examinations so far as 
 might perhaps disclose the secret. 
 
 As the old mountain limestone succeeding the slate 
 in the District of Pictou, is connected with the great 
 coal basin of that place, it will be considered when a 
 description of the coal fields in general is introduced. 
 
 General Remarks on the Slate District of 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 In reviewing the preceding remaiks made in regard 
 to the Slate Formation of Nova Scotia, we are often 
 reminded of those obstacles which, in many instances, 
 prevented a perfect examination of its rocks, and those 
 associations between different classes, Uiat are not only 
 
I 
 
 f^I.AY Sr.ATR DISTRICT. G5 
 
 necessary to be known, but may be usefully employed 
 by such as may pursue the investigation of tliis subject 
 to a greater extent. 
 
 ^ Often, having been worn down by tiie fatigue of a 
 
 toilsome day, have the expectations of the discoverv of 
 some important fact, kept our spirits alive till the setting 
 sun has given the signal to depart. Nevertheless, from 
 the observations already recorded, and a comparative 
 view of the Slate District of Nova Scotia, with those of 
 England and Wales, and without venturing to reason from 
 analog)', it will be safe to affirm, that that portion of the 
 Province which is occupied by the slate, contains ores 
 of the most useful and important kinds ; although their 
 full discovery may not be made until some future period, 
 when the fetters now binding Mineralogical enquiries in 
 Nova Scotia, shall be taken off, and when other objects 
 than those of a scientific nature, shall stimulate the spirit 
 of Geological enquiry. 
 
 In every instance the slate will be found above the 
 granite. In some situations gneiss and mica slate (which 
 belong to primary formations,) immediately succeed the 
 granite. In other places, greywacke is interposed be- 
 tween these rocks and the slate ; but wherever the gneiss, 
 mica slate, and greywacke, are absent, the argillite and 
 granite are in immediate contact. Hence that beautiful 
 harmony existing in the arrangement of those rocks in 
 other countries, is preserved in the stnicture of this Pro- 
 vince. In the granite, gneiss, and mica slate, not the 
 smallest vestige ol the remains of any organized substance 
 has been discovered, and not the least doubt can remain 
 
 in the mind, that they were formed, or at least their ma- 
 
 9 
 
G6 
 
 CLAY SLATE PISTRICT. 
 
 terials were created, prior to any kind of plant or terres- 
 trial being. Although the granite is one of the oldest 
 rocks with which we are acquainted, it must not be pre- 
 sumed that it is always placed at the lowest level, for 
 facts prove the contrary. In Nova Scotia, it is seen at 
 the tops of the highest mountains ; but wherever it ap- 
 pears under such circumstances, it seems to have been 
 thrown upwards by some great force ; for the secondly 
 rocks found in the valleys formed by the unequal eraption 
 of the granite, are seen sticking by their sides in the 
 greatest possible confusion. It would be absurd to argue 
 that the slate of Nova Scotia, was formed in a manner 
 similar to that of the granite ; the separate and distinct 
 strata, or layers, separated by parallel lines, and the fossil 
 animals contained in them, added to a variety of other 
 circumstances, not necessary to be detailed, will satis- 
 factorily prove, that it was originally a submarine deposit. 
 Wherever the slate and other formations approach the 
 primary rocks, their strata are turned up in an almost 
 perpendicular position y and as we recede fiom the more 
 original structure, so the strata of the slate become more 
 inclined, and approach that level from which they have 
 evidently been tlirown. 
 
 The slate of Nova Scotia in general belongs to that 
 class of rocks called by the older Geologists, transition ; 
 that it is among the most ancient of the secondary strata, 
 is evident from the following facts. It is in many instan- 
 ces, placed directly upon the granite, and encloses de- 
 tached pieces of that rock. Its strata are broken and dis- 
 torted most, in those situations where it meets its plutonic 
 neighbour. In it organic remains fust begin to appear, 
 
67 
 
 CLAV SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 and Its relics belong to species now altogether extinct, or 
 have descendants resembling them only in tropical seas. 
 And lastly, as the fossils it embraces, belong altogether 
 to marine tribes, so far as present discoveries extend, it 
 is not impossible that they may have existed previous to 
 the creation of those super-marine plants and animals con- 
 lained in the overlieing strata. 
 
 It is doubtless among her slate, greywacke, quartz 
 rock, and old mountain limestone, that Nova Scotia pos- 
 sesses her rich and valuable ores ; and although the newer 
 of the secondary strata contain copper, and oxides of 
 other metals, they probably have been derived from the 
 more important deposits of the older rocks, and will never 
 yield that profit which may be received from the older 
 deposits. When the situagon of our lead mines is discov- 
 ered, silver may be expected ; but until that metal is 
 found, and that in considerable quantities, we must re- 
 main satisfied with the discoveries already made, and such 
 as a liberal policy would encourage. 
 
 Before leaving the consideration of the Slate District, 
 another important enquiry arises from the fact, that frag- 
 ments of slate, rolled masses of quartz rock, and even 
 granite, are not only found upon the surface of the new 
 red sandstone, but enter its composition at a great depth. 
 Now the debris of the slate and other rocks, of old 
 classes, must hare been made while the newer sandstone 
 was becoming deposited, and consolidated ; and the shape 
 of the Iragments thus observed, demonstrate that they 
 have been trigisportcd by the efforts of mighty currents. 
 Again, the sandstone itself has also been under a similar 
 influence, which must have been e.xerted long since the 
 
G« CLAY SLATE DISTKICT. 
 
 materials entering its composition had been accumulated. 
 Hence it is equally easy to prove the occurrence of simi- 
 lar causes having operated upon the earth’s surface, at 
 separate and distinct periods of time. One period has 
 produced the ingredients of the newer rocks, which in 
 their turn have been evidently denuded by the rapidity of 
 overwhelming floods. The effects in both cases are si- 
 milar, and appear wherever the eye is turned. Is it 
 possible that the first great catastrophe arose, when the 
 earth emerged from beneath its waters, at its first creation, 
 before which “ darkness was upon the face of the deep”? 
 Is it improbable that another Geological event, may have 
 produced another class of phenomena, at that period when 
 the “ windows of heaven were opened, and the fountains 
 
 of the great deep broken up” ? Or, liave all these 
 changes taken place by the influence of causes now operat- 
 ing upon the surface of the earth ? Perhaps that instead 
 of fixing all the mutations which the earth has undergone, 
 upon one class of causes, the w hole should be taken into 
 consideration ; and the effects now exhibited upon the 
 globe, are quite suflScient to allow each of them a due 
 share of power. It is here natural to enquire, in what 
 direction those currents flow^ed. Some have supposed, 
 that in Nova Scotia they rushed from the southward 
 towards the north, on account of the boulders of granite 
 being found northward of their native beds ; but this 
 jifgument proves nothing, as the trap rocks ol the North 
 Mountains aie often found upon the southern hills, and 
 rocks of almost all classes, are discovered in occasional 
 blocks all over the country. Now it is evident that all 
 currents of water will in some degree be governed by the 
 
 
CLAF SLATE DISTRICT. 69 
 
 surface over which they pass ; hence the direction of hills 
 and mountains, formerly existing, will prevent us at the 
 present day from determining accurately, the course 
 pursued by the waters that produced those efiecis. Again, 
 tliose currents were liable to become changed during the 
 subsidence of any flood, by the alteration constantly going 
 forward in the channels over which they passed. But by 
 no means however, are we to suppose, that the granitic 
 boulders placed upon the summits of the highest hills, 
 and particularly in the neighbourhood of Halifax, were 
 carried thitlier by the above means. A flood would have 
 had a very difierenl effect upon them, and hurled their 
 shapeless masses into the valleys above which they are 
 now lodged. They have doubtless been tlirown upwards, 
 and left cresting the highest ridges, by volcanic explo- 
 sions tliat have taken place since the general inundation 
 of our planet. 
 
 h Besides the disturbance tlie slate has suffered, from 
 tlie eruption of the primary rocks from beneath, as it is 
 supposed, there appear to have been otlier causes in ac- 
 tion, that have had a powerful influence in breaking 
 asunder, and cai-rying away large portions of its already 
 broken strata. Large masses of that rock arc often ob- 
 served far from tlie locality where they belong, and from 
 which tliey have been removed. Sometimes detached 
 pieces of its strata are found upon the surface of the 
 newer rocks, and promiscuously scattered over the soil 
 covering the red marl group. In this respect they are 
 hke the boulders of granite, affording so much specula- 
 tion among Geologists, but can in no way have their 
 transportal ion' so w ell explained, as by admitting fully the 
 
70 CLAY SLATE DISTRICT. 
 
 former occurrence of powerful currents, that carried away 
 not only loose materials, but also tore up even tlie solid 
 strata themselves. In the valleys, ravines, and basins 
 formed by the very unequal elevation of the strata of slate, 
 beds of clay, sand, and water-worn pebbles, were fre- 
 quently observed. The clay consists of different layers, 
 placed horizontally. The parellism of these layers, with 
 the variety of their colours, resemble those produced by 
 dissolving clay in water, the most ponderous and coarse 
 particles will fall first in the solution, the lifter atoms 
 last, so that layer after layer will appear in the bottom of 
 the vessel containing them. Each will be composed of 
 particles similar in their dimensions, the smaller ones 
 succeeding the greater in every instance. Therefore it 
 is reasonable to conclude, from a knowledge of these 
 facts, that those beds of clay have been deposited from a 
 flood in which they were once suspended. 
 
 It is well kriown, that rocks broken by mechanical 
 means, have their edges and angles left sharp and promi- 
 nent. But pieces of rocks having been exposed to the 
 rapid currents of rivers, or the constant motion produced 
 among them by the violence of the waves upon the sea 
 shore, have their angles and edges broken off, and thereby 
 become gradually rounded, bearing the appellation of 
 water-worn pebbles. The pebbles found in the basin- 
 shaped depressions of the slate, are ol this description, 
 and have evidently assumed their oval appearance, from 
 attrition in water. Again, the smaller particles broken 
 from larger fragments, would contribute greatly to the 
 production of sand, of which there are vast accumulations. 
 These remarks do not only apply to the District already 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 71 
 
 described, but to tlie Province generally, where even 
 greater proofs of a genera] deluge may be observed. In 
 regard to the soil resting upon the slate in Nova Scotia, 
 it is generally fertile : wherever the rocks yield easily to 
 frost, rain, and the action of the atmosphere, it is very 
 luxuriant, although not well adapted for roads and bridges, 
 on account of its clayey nature, and easy solution in wa- 
 ter. Like the Primary District, the argillite abounds in 
 lakes, which often form chains to considerable extent, 
 In the deep valleys formed by the upturned strata, the 
 waters descending from the mountains collect, and from 
 them cannot escape, affording a safe retreat for the 
 salmon, gaspereau, and trout, to deposit their ova. 
 
 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 It was before observed, that if a line be drawn from 
 Annapolis to Antigonish, and a curve made in the direc- 
 tion of Windsor River, all the remaining part of the Pro- 
 vince might be called the Red Sandstone District. We 
 shall describe this Formation, following the same course 
 in which its examinations were made. Beginning in the 
 western part of the Province, the sandstone 6rst makes 
 its appearance at the head of St. Mary’s Bay, in the 
 County of Annapolis. At that place it forms an isthmus, 
 uniting Digby Neck with the South Mountains. A beau* 
 tiful and sublime section of the sandstone, will be seen 
 on the west side of that isthmus. The elevation of the 
 
72 
 
 RED j«;anpstone district. 
 
 tides, and violence of the sea, have undermined the rock, 
 \vhich has been broken up, and washed away, leaving an 
 extensive and nearly perpendicular front, averaging from 
 an hundred, to an hundred and thirty feet high. This 
 precipice is called by the inhabitants the ‘‘sea wall,’* a 
 very appropriate name ; for were this barrier removed, 
 the wateTs of Annapolis River and Basin, would make a 
 more ready escape into St. Mary’s Bay, than at the nar- 
 row opening called Digby Gut, through which a narrow 
 passage has been forced, while the sea wall just mentioned 
 remains unbroken. The sandstone is red, grey, and 
 light blue, variously intermixed with those colours. The 
 coloured varieties appear in the upper strata, while the 
 layers beneath are uniformly red. The strata run in a 
 north and south direction, falling away at a low angle. 
 They are of different thicknesses, varying from a few 
 inches to six feet. A few veins of reddle, or red chalk, 
 are interposed between some of the strata, and in one in- 
 stance it might properly be termed red jasper, having 
 been apparently consolidated by heat, and capable of 
 bearing a good polish. 
 
 The red sandstone at this place, is the beginning of 
 an extensive formation, which reaches from Digby through 
 the Counties of Annapolis and King’s, underlieing the 
 trap rocks of the North Mountains, throughout their 
 whole extent ; and cropping out beneath the lofty Blomi- 
 don, it forms the eastern shore of King’s County, upon 
 the Basin of Mines. In this part of the country, it forms 
 a long narrow belt. It rests upon the slate of the South 
 Mountains throughout its whole formation, except in a 
 few places, where the old mountain limestone, and old 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT, TS 
 
 red sandstone are interposed. Upon its nortlieni margin 
 the trap rocks have been placed, forming a resistance 
 which secures the country from the advances of the tide? 
 and turbulent waters of the Bay of Fundy. At Blomi- 
 don, and many places along the north shore.s of those 
 Counties, the sandstone is seen jutting out beneath tlie 
 trap, but at so low a level in general, as to suffer but 
 little from the waves that fall wiili great violence upon the 
 coast. 
 
 The sandstone forms the bottom of a long narrow and 
 beautiful valley, extending from Annapolis Town to the 
 Basin of Mines. The North and South Mountains depart 
 fiom each other at a small angle, as they extend easterly,, 
 and consequenUy the great valley between them, becomes 
 wider in that direction. At Annapolis Town, the North 
 and South Mountains meet each other very nearly, and 
 seem only to be separated at that place, by the river 
 passing between tliem. While at Wolfville, it will be 
 observed how far they have receded from each other, by 
 the breadth of the almost level land, placed between 
 Blomidon and Horton Church. 
 
 The great valley thus produced, resembles a long 
 entrenchment, dug out of King’s and Annapolis, by the 
 work of art, and reminds us of the bottom of some ancient 
 river, whose waters have been withdrawn. The rocks 
 occupying this great valley, belong to the red marl group. 
 
 1 he slate of the southern hills, dips beneath these rocks, 
 wherever they have been discovered to meet, thereby 
 affording the best evidence of its greater antiquity. Ng 
 beds of gypsum, or rock salt, have been discovered in 
 
 the sandstone of those Counties : numerous narrow veins 
 
 10 
 
74 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 of the former, have however, been found in the strata 
 beneath the trap at Blontidon, and several other situations 
 where the rock has been exposed. In these places, 
 snowy and fibrous gypsum frequently occur, with large 
 and beautiful plates of selenite ; but all these varieties 
 decline, and finally disappear, in proportion as the rock 
 in which they are placed, approaches the slate to the 
 southward. The sandstone is composed of siliceous par- 
 ticles, and oxide of iron, united by an argillaceous, and 
 sometimes calcareous cement. It is used by the inhabi- 
 tants for the purpose of building fire places, and under 
 priming ; although no pains have been taken to open those 
 useful quarries, which are abundant, and would supply 
 the best materials for erecting their dwellings. In this 
 formation numerous quarries might be opened, and in 
 situations affording all the facilities for exporting those 
 valuable freestones that might be raised from them. Care 
 should be taken to excavate a rock that would resist the 
 frost and vicissitudes of the weather, and to select an i 
 agreeable or fashionable colour, for a sufficient number of 
 shades can be obtained, from brick red to dark brown, 
 to accommodate such as choose to have a choice in these 
 things. The rock is easily hewed into cubical masses, 
 wiien recently quarried, but gradually becomes harder by 
 lieing exposed to the heat of the sun. Like the stiata 
 at St. Mary’s Bay, those forming the walls on each side 
 of the Basin of Mines, fall away gently to the southward, 
 notwithstanding in many places they are much broken and 
 disturbed. 
 
 Small shining particles of mica, frequently appear m 
 some of the uppermost layers ; these from their brilliant 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 75 
 
 appearance, have led to a supposition among some of the 
 lionest farmers, that silver is at hand. But although that 
 precious metal is certaitdy very scarce in the Province at 
 present, the time may soon arrive, when it can be obtained 
 from other countries in exchange for tliose very rocks, in 
 which some suppose it is now mixed. It is curious to ob- 
 serve the similarity between this formation and that consti- 
 tuting a part of Lancashire, in England ; both apparently 
 repose upon slate, and possess similar Geological relations. 
 The ancient castle of Hawthornden, near Edinburgh, 
 
 . witli all its dungeons and vaults, having resisted the action 
 of the elements, will shew the durability of our freestone, 
 being built of similar rock. In Nova Scotia this group 
 of strata contains few organic remains. Such as have 
 been discovered in Horton, and Cornwallis, resemble 
 reeds, and other plants Oommon in low grounds ; nor are 
 they weU preserved, and Uierefore yield few specimens 
 of interest to the fossil botanist. The soil covering the 
 valley already mentioned, is in general extremely fertile, 
 producing abundantly all the plants common to this, and 
 even warmer climates. As the North Mountains shelter ' 
 It from chilly winds, and also serve as a refractor to the 
 rays of heat emitted by the sun, it offers advantages sel- 
 dom rivalled in any country. On the east, tliis valley is 
 enriched by die Rivers of Horton and Cornwallis, where 
 large collections of alluvium have been made from the ' 
 decomposed sandstone and shale, ever suspended in the 
 waters of the Basin of Mines. The red sandstone affords 
 the dark red marsh, while the blue kind is made of de- 
 cayed vegetable matter and shale, the latter being con- 
 veyed from the northern coast. Both die particles of 
 
li) RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 sandstone and shale, are much affected in their transpor- 
 tation by prevailing winds. A northerly breeze transports 
 tile blue particles from Parrsborough shore, and an east- 
 erly gale urges forward the crumbled sandstone of Horton 
 and Cornwallis. Hence those fertile streams not only 
 convey the surplus waters of the country, but receive 
 treasures of alluvium from the sea, which are always ac- 
 cumulating, to the great advantage of its inhabitants. To 
 the westward the Annapolis River not only performs these 
 common and important operations, but also affords a 
 c.hannel through which the produce of its fertile banks can 
 be readily exported. We have already mentioned the 
 irregular blocks of granite of this section of the country, 
 and the minerals they contain. The boulders of Nova 
 Scotia have also been noticed by Professor Buckland, in 
 vindicating tlie doctrines of the Flood. The plains ol 
 the north of Europe, present the same phenomena. The 
 level lands of the Po, and Danube, also contribute their 
 testimony, that those isolated rocks now lodged upon the 
 soil, have been transported from primary situations, by 
 some propelling force, unknown upon tliis present world ; 
 although it is almost certain tliat they are the effects of 
 an overwhelming deluge, which at a former period pro- 
 duced those results now so manifest upon the earth. Not 
 only has the granite sent its heralds abroad, large blocks 
 of trap are also scattered over die soil of Nova Scotia, 
 far from their original and former stations. 
 
 A large collection of sand in the Township of Ayles- 
 ford, furnishes still furtlier testimony favoiuable to Pro- 
 fessor Buckland’s views. Fine siliceous particles, occa- 
 sionally intermixed with iron sand and scales of mica. 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 cover the rocks of that Township, between the mountains 
 and over a considerable space. In some places this sand 
 IS quite compact, and arranged in layers of different col- 
 ours ; some layers are composed of fine particles, and 
 others of coarse materials, and even small pebbles. In 
 general it is easily broken up, and greatly diminishes the 
 rapidity of travelling. The inhabitants, avvaie of these 
 circumstances, frequently change tlieir route from side to 
 side of the turnpike, as the hardness of the soil dictates, 
 and the long parallel ridges of grass between the patliwavs, 
 testify how numerous those changes have been. The ef- 
 fects produced by currents of water, are very manifest at 
 tlMt place, where many ridges and mounds of sand have 
 been thrown up. In making the roads, advantage has 
 been taken of these circumstances, and the bogs and 
 swamps have been avoided. It is not possible that this 
 sand has been produced without the breaking down of the 
 rocks by the before mentioned causes ; tlie similarity in 
 its particles to those composing granite, and secondary 
 strata, 'offers an argument in favour of that opinion, and 
 the arrangement of its layers shews, that it has been 
 moved by a current of water. In Aylesford there is also 
 an extensive barren waste, called the “ Carriboo Bog,” 
 covered in many places with peat and turf. Some have 
 supposed tins bog was formerly a lake, but the numerous 
 elevations upon its surface do not support that opinion, 
 and it is more probable, that a collection of unproductive 
 sand has been made in a kind of basin, where it refuses 
 to supply sufficient support for the towering pines now 
 flourishing upon its border. 
 
78 
 
 red sandstone district. 
 
 WIlilOT SPRING. 
 
 In the Township of Wilmot, and about three miles 
 from Gibbon’s Inn, there is a mineral spring, possessing 
 medicinal properties of considerable importance. When 
 the discovery was first announced to tlie public, numerous 
 were the persons who being afflicted with different dis- 
 eases, hastened to the waters, then supposed to be the 
 elixar vitcR, and quite sufficient to remove all the ills “ the 
 flesh is heir to.” The languishing and consumptive pa- 
 tient, he that knew the thirst of a burning fever, the 
 gowty, and rheumatic, the scrophulous and bilious, all 
 sought the cure thus cheaply offered to relieve them. 
 Without reference to the nature of their diseases, and at 
 every stage of their complaints, they hoped and vainly 
 hoped to obtain relief. In the midst of the forest, the 
 little Village near tlie pool of this modern Bethesda was 
 all bustle and confusion, while many for the want of ac- 
 commodation, were obliged to depart not healed. Few 
 of those comforts could be procured, which the invalid 
 requires, and those conveniences so necessary at all wa- 
 tering places, could not at the moment be obtained. 
 Many and great were the cures rejiorted to have been 
 made by the spring. Newspapers teemed with its praises, 
 and its virtues were said to be such as would even restore 
 amputated limbs. But experience, that faitliful school- 
 master, soon proved that its powers were not sufficient 
 to remove all the ailments of its visitors ; hence the W il- 
 mot Spring is already abandoned, and its name is seldom 
 spoken. So changeable and unsteady is public opinion, 
 the idol of the clamorous and the goddess of radicalism. 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 70 
 
 Perhaps there are no circumstances in which man is 
 ever placed, that he is more liable to be duped and mis- 
 led, than in those connected with his own bodily health. 
 Of his own disease he supposes he knows more, but re- 
 ally know’s less than of almost any other subject he con- 
 siders. From these causes quackery has hitherto been 
 supported, and will continue its pretending and mysteri- 
 ous arte, to the injury of sound knowledge and disgrace 
 of society. Were the mineral springs of Wilmot sur- 
 rounded by the gay and pleasant scenery, united with the 
 cheerful society of the European watering places, its 
 waters would be found at least equal to many of those 
 celebrated resorts in other countries ; and even now the 
 time is not far distant, when the public mind will react, 
 and many find relief at the deserted pool. 
 
 The waters of the spring have been analysed by Dr. 
 Webster, of Boston, and were found to contain — 
 
 Iodine, 
 
 Lime, 
 
 Sulphuric Acid, 
 
 Magnesia. 
 
 They will doubtless be beneficial in all scrophulous 
 and glandular diseases, and probably in the first stage of 
 tuburcular consumption. They are gently aperient, and 
 cannot fail to be serviceable in dyspepsia, and other 
 diseases of the digestive organs. This might be suppos- 
 ed from their composition, and has been confirmed by 
 experience. 
 
 
80 UED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 HORTON BLUFF. 
 
 .1 Emerging from beneath the lofty precipice at Cape 
 Blomidon, the new red sandstone forms the shores of the 
 eastern side of Cornwallis, and those of Long and Boot 
 Islands. At Horton Bluff it is met by a grey sandstone 
 alternaung with shale. On the west side, and near tlie 
 mouth of Windsor River, there is a stratum of light grey 
 sandstone, well adapted for buildings. In the detached 
 masses of shale and sandstone frequently falling near that ^ 
 place, we discovered the remains and impressions of 
 plants, some of which are like immense rushes ; others 
 have the appearance of the iris or common blue flag. 
 These plants have suflered great compression among the 
 rocks, but still show the most perfect stony casts of their 
 originals. They seem to have flourished in low grounds, 
 and are quite different from those frequently found in 
 other parts of the country. 
 
 In the greywacke slate of the South Mountains, fos- 
 sil animals belonging to the sea, are abundant i but not 
 the least vestige of any plant belonging to the diy land, 
 has yet been discovered there. On the other hand, the 
 sandstone succeeding the slate at Horton Bluff, contains 
 plants belonging to species like those now growing in low 
 and swampy grounds ; hence its later formation seems 
 well proved from this circumstance, without considering 
 its position on the more ancient rock. It is a little sin- 
 gular, that even the grey sandstone between Falmouth 
 and Horton, where it is elevated more tlian three hundred 
 feet above the Bluff, has disclosed pieces of perfect fossil 
 Coniferae, of large size and great beauty. This plant was 
 
•RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 8! 
 
 evidenUy produced upon dry soil, wJiere it miglit have 
 flourished at the same time when the aqueous plants upon 
 the shore, were rustling upon the border of some ancient 
 lake, each possessing the same situation their several 
 habits required. 
 
 WINDSOR. 
 
 The red sandstone occupies the low lands of Fal- 
 mouth and Windsor, extending through Douglas, along 
 the south shore of the Basin of Mines, and borders of 
 the Shubenacadie river. At all those places it contains 
 numerous and important beds of gypsum, (sulphate of 
 lime,) and limestone, the former affording an inexhaust- 
 able source of commerce, and the latter yielding the 
 agriculturalist an abundance of the best manure. The 
 gypsum is largely exported to the United Stales : and 
 although It afibrds but a small profit to the carrier at 
 present, tlie time is advancing when it will become of 
 
 national importance, and open a new source of Provincial 
 wealth. 
 
 In many situations throughout this part of the coun- 
 try , the gypsum appears in prominent masses above the 
 soil, forming conical elevations, which often give the sur- 
 face a very picturesque appearance. In some instances 
 it occupies uneven ridges, passing through the country to 
 considerable extent, or with steep precipices forms the 
 banks of rivers, from whence it is cheaply removed. On 
 the St. Croix River, it constitutes an elevated wall, reach- 
 ing several miles along the northern side of the rapid 
 stream. Wherever it occtirs the surface is irregular, or 
 
S2 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 undulated ; and in those places where it forms the shore 
 of the Basin of Mines, like the sandstone it suffers from 
 the steady dilapidation produced by the waves, and rapid 
 tides. 
 
 The gypsum is evidently contained in the sandstone, 
 which tliroughout its whole formation belongs to the red 
 marl group. Between the projecting masses of plaister, 
 there are frequently cylindrical cavities, called by the 
 miners “kettle holes.” In these the bones of quadru- 
 peds hav'e been found. The skeleton of an Indian, and 
 some of his rude hunting implements, were also taken 
 from one of those pits, into which he had probably fallen, 
 during the rapidity and heedlessness of the chace. These 
 relics are preserved in the museum of King’s College, at 
 Windsor. The chasms and other openings in the rocks, 
 are frequently filled with decomposed gypsum. Its col- 
 ours vary from grey to dark brown ; its appearance is 
 mealy, and when damp it soils the fingers. The soil 
 also, in many places, is mixed with this substance, which 
 does not in the least increase its fertility. In the inter- 
 stices between the gypsum and limestone, the naturalist 
 would doubtless find a reward for his laboiurs. It was 
 from one of tliese singular openings, that we look a large 
 tooth of a graminivorous animal, not belonging to any 
 species now living ; but the expense of clearing away the 
 rubbish would be considerable, and has heretofore been 
 an objection not easily overcome with limited funds. 
 The sulphate of lime thus briefly noticed, contains many 
 varieties of that mineral, some of which are beautifully 
 crystalized. It often encloses broad foliated masses of 
 selenite. This variety yields easily to mechanical divi- 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. S3 
 
 Sion in the direction of its Jatnina ; these wlien broken 
 crosswise have a rhomboidal form. Its lustre is some- 
 times highly splendent and often pearly ; it is generally 
 transparent, and sometimes coloured with delicate tints of 
 red and purple. Snowy gypsum, branchy gypsum, and 
 other varieties, frequently appear ; among them is the 
 
 compact gypsum, generally called alabaster, suitable for 
 buildings. 
 
 The extensive beds of secondary limestone alternat- 
 ing with, and frequently passing into gj’psum, in this 
 part of the Red Sandstone District, extend from Wind- 
 sor to the east side of the Shubenacadie, and from thence 
 in an easterly direction to Antigonish. The limestone is 
 often separated from the gypsum by beds of marl, clay, 
 and the decomposed rocks. It forms hills with oval sum- 
 mits, which are readily distinguished from the broken and 
 irregular ridges of plaister. It contains myriads of fossil 
 shells, which, in many instances, appear to compose the 
 rock altogether ; from tliis circumstance it has been called 
 shell limestone. These remarks not only apply to tlie 
 limestone of Windsor, but also to the whole of those 
 valuable deposits of that rock, in tlie red marl group of 
 this section of Nova Scotia. Without referring to the 
 usefulness of the limestone for building and agricultural 
 purposes, it will appear obvious what an undiminishable 
 source of trade is contained in the country, particularly 
 when the comparative scarcity of gypsum in tlie United 
 States, and the superior quality of that mineral in the 
 Province, are considered. 
 
 Ihe Americans are so well convinced of these facts, 
 that some of their enterprising individuals have purchased 
 
84 RED SANDSTONE D18TUICT. 
 
 an extensive quarry, and are now erecting mills to reduce 
 it to that state in which it is used in tlieir own country. 
 
 The group of rocks to which we have referred, are 
 similar- to tliose forming extensive portions of country in 
 England, where vast collections of rock salt have been 
 discovered. No such collections of that valuable mineral 
 have however been found connected with the sandstone 
 of Hants County, notwithstanding the saline properties of 
 a spring near Windsor, afford some evidence of its exist- 
 ence there. Of all the shells contained in the limestone 
 before mentioned, bivalves are by far the most numerous. 
 Several kinds of coral have been collected, and a species 
 of the mytilus lithophagus. The latter has given the rock 
 the appearance of having been worm eaten. Excellent spe- 
 cimens of some of tliese fossils, are found near the Town 
 of Windsor. In France this kind of limestone has pro- 
 duced some singular phenomena. In Provence, between 
 its layers, and upwards of forty feet below the surface, 
 pieces of columns, and stones partly wrought, w-ere found ; 
 handles of hammers, and wooden tools, a board one inch 
 thick and seven feet long, were also obta'uied, havmg 
 been converted into perfect agate. Indeed, should we 
 ev’er feel disposed to seek tlte bones of tlie fossil elephant, 
 mastedon, or hyena, the chasms and fissures in this lime- 
 stone would receive the earliest attention. 
 
 It has been already observed, that the encrinite of 
 the South Mountains, has long since ceased to exist, and 
 none of the fossils contained in the slate, have living 
 successors in these northern latitudes. Not so w-ith the 
 shells of this limestone, they have yet some representa- 
 tives upon our shores, bearing the distinctive characters 
 of their ancestors. 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 85 
 
 It is certainly interesting, that in this part of the 
 country, each class of rocks as they succeed each other, 
 should contain fossils peculiar to themselves, and of spe* 
 cies admirably adapted to that period of the earth’s his. 
 tory, in which their separate strata seem to have been 
 formed. At Kentville, the ancient articulated coraline 
 IS found compressed in the slate ; in the greywacke slate 
 Uiat succeeds it at New Canaan, the encrinite and trilo- 
 bate are fossilated in the compact rock, but have long 
 smce disappeared in a living state from the earth ; while 
 the beds of limestone at Windsor and Douglas, contain 
 the reUcs of cockles, like those now inhabiting the shores 
 of tlie Basin of Mines. 
 
 Among the limestone in this part of tlie Red Sand- 
 stone District, and especially in the neighbourhood of the 
 Shubenacadie, the sulphuret of lead, and the cobaltic 
 sulphuret of lead, one of its sub-species, are sometimes 
 scattered in small crystals through the rock. The sul- 
 plniret is of a lead grey colour, and ajipears in small 
 laminated masses, having a metallic streak and lustre. 
 Its crystals are curiously disseminated in the limestone, 
 but too small in quantity to offer any profit for working 
 them as an ore of lead, although it is almost certain that 
 an important vein of that mineral, is somewhere concealed 
 near the Shubenacadie. The cobaltic sulphuret of lead 
 resembles the sulphuret, botli in its sitnation and external 
 characters. It is, howev'cr, more rare, and may he dis- 
 tinguished by its decrepitation before the blowpipe, and 
 the blue colour it communicates to borax. 
 
 These ores of lead may be mistaken for the mica- 
 ceous oxide ol iron, which also often appears in beauti- 
 
86 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 ful tabular crystals in the secondary limestone of the Pro- 
 vince. But a little examination will distinguish them 
 from the ores of iron with which they are sometimes 
 mixed. 
 
 MONTAGUE RIVER. 
 
 At Montague River, and not far from where that 
 winding stream is emptied into the St. Croix, there is a 
 very singular hill of breccia and greywacke passing into 
 each other. Irregular fragments of feldspar and quartz, 
 with occasional scales of mica, compose the aggregate, 
 which at a distance resembles a coarse sandstone, or a 
 peculiar kind of granite. The strata run north east and 
 south west, dipping to the northward at a small angle. 
 In its neighbourhood there is some beautiful scenery, well 
 known at Montague House, a pleasant summer retreat. 
 This hill was perhaps formed prior to the red sandstone, 
 and might have raised its head above the sea, forming a 
 small island, during the formation of the surrounding 
 rocks. 
 
 From Montague River, through Rawdon to the 
 Shubenacadie, the meeting of tlie new red sandstone and 
 slate was observed only in a few places, as the tliick 
 forests prevent such examinations as would lead to a dis- 
 covery of their junction to any great distance ; nor were 
 we able to ascertain in the township of Rawdon, whether 
 any of the members of the old red sandstone, mountain 
 limestone, or coal groups, are placed between the granite 
 and the red marl group. 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 87 
 
 SOUTH SIDE OF THE BASIN OF MINES. 
 
 If the south side of the Basin of Mines be exam- 
 ined, it will be found to consist of the members of the 
 new red sandstone, or red marl group, occupied by beds 
 of limestone and gypsum. Between the river Avon and 
 the Shubenacadie, those beds appear at many places. 
 The gypsum is quarried and exported to the United 
 States, and the limestone has been often conveyed from 
 Tony Cape and the Black Rock, at the entrance of the 
 Shubenacadie, across the Basin, for the purpose of mak- 
 ing mortar , but recent examinations have discovered 
 limestone abundant in Economy and Londonderry ; and 
 thus an article formerly procured at a great expense, can 
 now be obtained cheaply by tlie inhabitants along the 
 north side of the Basin. The specular and micaceous 
 oxides of iron are often seen between Cheverie and Noel 
 Bay. They are however unimportant in a Province 
 where iron is abundant. Not so with the sulphuret of 
 iron, which also appears along this shore, and in a suffi- 
 cient quantity to supply manufactories of copperas. 
 
 The several rivers and creeks along this inland coast, 
 afford shelter for vessels, and greatly increase the natural 
 advantages this part of the country possesses, in regard 
 to shipping both its agricultural and mineral productions. 
 Probably the inhabitants of King’s County, would receive 
 their lime at less expense from Tony Cape, than from the 
 Horton Mountains, should it be discovered there ; and it 
 is hoped that they will soon become acquainted with its 
 fertilizing properties when used as a manure ; by its use, 
 many of their meagre and barren fields, might be con- 
 certed into luxuriant meadows, and productive pastures. 
 
S8 EEP SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 SHUBENACADIE RIVER. 
 
 From the entrance of the Shubenacadie, and directly 
 across the country to Halifax Harbour, there is a remark- 
 able channel formed in the sandstone, and the beds of 
 limestone and gypsum that accompany its strata. In this 
 channel the Shubenacadie conveys the waters of the Stew- 
 iack, St. Andrew’s and Gay’s Rivers, into the eastern 
 extremity of the Basin of Mines. On the nortli side of 
 the Grand Lake, the red sandstone is met by the grey- 
 wacke, and slate of the transition series. These rocks 
 also have the continuity of their strata broken, and a chain 
 of lakes reaches along this deep and wide excavation, 
 even to the Harbour of Halifax. Having examined the 
 strata of greywacke, greywacke slate, and quartz rock, 
 both on the east and west side of these lakes, their strata 
 were found to correspond, having the same direction, dip, 
 thickness and composition, on each side of the vaUey 
 where they are placed. The same remarks may be ap- 
 plied to the banks of the Shubenacadie ; and it is evident 
 that no other cause than the action of i-unning water, has 
 worn out the deep fosse through which that rapid river 
 now passes. 
 
 The materials tliat at some former period filled the 
 channel of the Shubenacadie, have been swept out, and 
 now constitute those extensive sand banks and shoals, so 
 troublesome to such as navigate the eastern extremity of 
 the Bay of Fundy. Again, there can be no doubt, that 
 the great opening in the Slate District, corresponding 
 with the bed of that river, has been forced out of the 
 solid strata by a mighty current. Tills seems evident 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 89 
 
 from the masses of broken rocks that may be still seen 
 northward of the slate formation, and exiled from the 
 strata to which they belong. That this deep and expanded 
 hollow in the country, is in reality a great “ valley of 
 denudation,” we have not the least doubt ; although our 
 limits are too much confined, to bring forward all the tes- 
 timony in favour of tliat opinion. 
 
 It was along the lakes and river, of this valley of 
 denudation, that a Canal was proposed, and a vast sum 
 of money expended, to open a communication from the 
 head of the Basin of Mines to Halifax. Notwithstanding 
 Nature had already done so much, and had given a suffi- 
 cient hint to the inhabitants of the country, to complete 
 what had been almost finished without the work of art, 
 the undertaking as yet, has failed, but whether from the 
 want of science or sufficient funds, we do not decide. 
 Canals are much inferior to rail-roads, and as the latter 
 are extended yearly, and their utility knotvn to surpass 
 every other kind of conveyance, it is probable that instead 
 of the tardy process of drawing boats by animal strengtJt, 
 that rail-roads will ere long be seen crossing the Province, 
 under the pressure of the locomotive engine. 
 
 The banks of the Shubenacadie present a superficial 
 section of the rocks belonging to the red sandstone forma- 
 tion, and afford the Mineralogist several rare and beauti- 
 ful specimens. The limestone and gypsum form beds of 
 much importance. The former abounds in marine organic 
 lemains, corals, sponges, and a great variety of mollus> 
 cous shells, of which we have collected upwards of forty 
 different species ; almost all of these are now extinct in 
 this climate. 
 
 12 
 

 
 
 I 1 
 
 90 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT, 
 
 Along the eastern side of the river, several detached 
 pieces of brown hematite, _ (hydrate of iron,) were ob- 
 served. Sometimes this mineral presents beautiful imita- 
 tive forms, particularly the botryoidal, and cotaloidal vari- 
 eties. In one instance we found the hematite associated 
 witli crystals of arragonite ; any considerable (juantity of 
 the ore was not however discovered, although a collection 
 of it may yet be found in the neighbourhood. The red 
 and brown oxides of iron, often appear in veins in the 
 limestone, and would supply a sufficient quantity 4o jus- 
 tify the manufacture of the ochres for paint. But among 
 the numerous productions of the Shubenacadie, the indi- 
 cations of lead are important. At one situation, and about 
 four miles from Fort Ellis, in the bed of the river, we 
 discovered a vein of the sulphuret of lead, an inch wide ; 
 but tlie time and expense necessary for making any exten- 
 sive examination of its quantity and situation, were obsta- 
 cles not easily overcome. In another instance, argenti- 
 ferous galena, in a small quantity, was procured from a 
 fissure in the rock ; this ore contains a small proportion 
 of silver, and almost the first indications of that precious 
 metal we had observed in the country ; but tJie quantity 
 of any of these interesting and valuable ores, and the situ- 
 ations they possess, are at present almost unknown, foi 
 we were compelled to leave the banks of that rapid stream, 
 without being able to make the discovery future enquirers 
 may be fortunate enough to enjoy. Sulphate of baiytes, 
 in laminated crystals, often appears connected with these 
 ores of lead ; this circumstance is very favourable, not- 
 withstanding the appearance of the ore in secondary forma- 
 tions, for the barytes is generally exhibited m rich mines. 
 
 ii ' 
 
 V 
 
KEU SANDSTONE DISTIUCT. 91 
 
 Still pursuing an easterly direction, the red sandstone 
 group continues its course to Antigonisli, where it con- 
 tains numerous beds of limestone, and occasionally 
 gypsum. 
 
 TRUllO HOAD. 
 
 Thk red sandstone formation reaches as far south- 
 ward as tlie north side of the Grand Lake, upon tJie 
 Truro Road. Near the Lake, and at Mr. Tremaines 
 laini, both the gypsum and limestone beds appear similar 
 to those already described at Windsor. Near Nine-mile 
 River, Key’s form. Gay’s River, and Stewiack, we found 
 the limestone and gypsum abundant. At Gay’s River, 
 the plaister is dark coloured, and singularly figured with 
 seams of jet black crystals. It is however, of a good 
 quality, and when calcined equally as white as the paler 
 varieties. Near Sibley’s there are long parallel ridges of 
 slate, of a good quality, and which, as before observed, 
 appear like islands elevated above the sandstone. A large 
 collection of yellow sand crosses the road, and the de- 
 tritus of the deluge is every where manifest. 
 
 Among the limestone at Gay’s River, the suljdiuret 
 of lead also appears in small narrow veins, or is seen scat- 
 tered in brilliant crystals among the layers of the rock ; 
 and it is probable, that a laborious examination of this 
 section of the country, would be rewarded by the discov- 
 eiy of a valuable vein of that useful ore. 
 
 1 he organic remains contained in the limestone at 
 the above places, belong to marine tribes : bivalves, the 
 cornu ammonis, zooj»hyles, of different species, and 
 
92 
 
 red sandstone district. 
 
 sponges, are abundant. From Falmouth to Stewlack, 
 following the course of the red marl group, eastwardly, 
 the calcareous rocks abound in fossil shells belonging to 
 the same families, and clearly proving that they have had 
 one common origin. 
 
 General Remarks on the South Side op the 
 Red Sandstone District. 
 
 Gretwacke, and greyvvacke slate, appear on the 
 South River of Antigonish ; it may also be seen at Guys- 
 boro, and forming both shores of Chedabucto Bay, where 
 it alternates witli the primary rocks. Fai-ther northward 
 the red marl group occupies the surface. The gypsum, 
 limestone, and salt springs of Antigonish, determine the 
 character of its strata, and are equally important as the 
 collections already noticed. We regret that we have 
 been unable to make in this portion of Nova Scotia, any 
 extensive examinations, but doubt not that its mineral 
 resources are great. It is hoped that a Geological survey 
 of the country will soon be made, and a full description 
 given, of every portion of the Province. It is however 
 certain, that at Antigonish, as well as at Pictou, and 
 many otlier places along tlie eastern shore, there aie im* 
 mense beds of rock salt, from which numerous saline 
 springs arise. Doubtless tliese beds might be opened, to 
 supply British America with an article now imported from 
 other countries. The waters from a number of these 
 springs have been examined, and by tlie great quantity of 
 the mui iate of soda (common salt) they contam, we are 
 warranted in the opinion, that the collections impregnating 
 
red sandstone district. 93 
 
 them are at hand, some of which might be opened and 
 worked, as profitably as those of Nantwich and Northwich 
 in England. 
 
 Neither the ores of lead nor the salt, minerals of the 
 greatest importance to tlie country, have been sought for 
 any farther than as objects of natural liistory ; nor is there 
 any hope of reward for such as might be willing to devote 
 their labours to the discovery of those valuable mines 
 contained in the country ; and should any useful discov- 
 eries have been made, what is tlie promised reward for 
 perhaps years of hard labour ? If the Province of Nova 
 Scotia received tlie advantages to be derived fi-om her 
 own mines and minerals, it is hoped there aie few who 
 would not disclose any information which might advance 
 her welfare ; but a palsy rests upon Mineralogical discov- 
 eries, and her resources are sealed up. 
 
 Hitherto we have endeavoured to give a brief des- 
 cription of tlie minerals contained in the southern part of 
 the Sandstone District, — taken some notice of the organic 
 lemains it embraces, and the testimony it bears of hav- 
 ing been buried by a general deluge. Each of these sub- 
 jects teems with useful and interesting matter, and would 
 be pursued by the details connected with them, were tlie 
 limits of the description of their outline more extended. 
 
 The fertility of the soil covering this group of rocks, 
 has been already noticed ; but before we proceed to call 
 any attention to the general resources of the Province, it 
 may not be considered unnecessary to give a hint to such 
 Farmers as are located in the neighbourhood of limestone, 
 and point out some of the advantages they possess to fer- 
 tilize their meadows, and enrich tlieir arable fields. Be- 
 
94 UED SANDSTONE DISTRICT, 
 
 sides referring them to the excellent Letters of John 
 Young, Esquire, who has written scientifically upon the 
 subject, we would endeavour in the most plain and unaf- 
 fected manner, to bring before their notice, a substance 
 seldom used in the Province, and one which is generally 
 abundant, wherever the lime rock appears. We mean 
 marl, which not only fills cavities and hollows in lime 
 strata, but also frequently occupies deep basins on tlie sur- 
 face of the earth. Tlte red sandstone often includes 
 witliin its group, beds of indurated red, blue and white 
 clay, argillaceous and calcareous marl. The most im- 
 portant of these to the agriculturalist, are the marls, oc- 
 curring in many places and in several varieties. Compact 
 limestone passes imperceptibly into marl. In Nova Sco- 
 tia, the limestone enclosed in the superior strata of the 
 red sandstone group, agrees in most of its characters with 
 the lias limestone of Great Britain, altliough some of its 
 organic remains seem to be unlike those of the calcareous 
 formations of the Mother Country. Marl is generally 
 composed of the carbonate of lime and clay, mixed in 
 different proportions, although sand and other foreign in- 
 gredients are often present. Indurated marl is easily cut 
 with a knife, its fracture is earthy, and the colours are 
 white, brown, grey, yellow, &c. Earthy marl differs 
 only from the indurated, by being more loose, soft and 
 friable ; both kinds frequently pass into each other. All 
 the varieties of marl effervesce in the acids, hence it may 
 be easily known by placing a small quantity in contact 
 with nitric, sulphuric or muriatic acid, or mixing it with 
 strong vinegar. 
 
 These varieties of the carbonate of lime, aic ex- 
 
RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT, 95 
 
 iremely useful in the Improvement of soil, the fertility of 
 which depends much upon the proportions of siliceous 
 and argillaceous earth it contains ; therefore to employ 
 marl judiciously, the fai’mer should be made accjuainted 
 with the different chemical agents entering into the com- 
 position of the soil he cultivates. The beds of marl oc- 
 curring, connected with the limestone and gypsum, and 
 extending over a considerable portion of the Province, 
 are of great practical value, and should be employed 
 without delay. From the limited description thus given 
 of that useful substance, it is hoped no difficulty will be 
 found in discovering all its varieties ; but for its particular 
 application, some good work on agriculture should be 
 consulted. 
 
 That part of the red sandstone formation, which lies 
 along the north west side of the Slate District, after be- 
 ginning at St. Mary’s Bay, and following the course of 
 the South Mountains, does not terminate until its layers, 
 like those of the older formations, are buried beneath the 
 waters of the Gulph of St. LawTence. The gypsum and 
 limestone, do not however, accompany the sandstone 
 throughout its whole extent. They are altogether defi- 
 cient in the great valley of Annapolis and King’s Counties. 
 After having been deposited in numerous situations at 
 Windsor, Newport, Rawdon, Douglas, and the banks 
 of the Shubenacadie, they decline in the neighbourhood 
 of Pictou, where coal, a more important article, supplies 
 the seeming deficiency. 
 
 The organic remains contained in the slate, through- 
 out the whole range of its distorted and vertical strata, 
 from Yarmouth on the west, to the Gut of Canso on the 
 
96 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 east, are in some degree uniform in their characters ; and 
 evidently possessed an existence at one and the same 
 time. However different that epoch may have been from 
 those which have succeeded it, tlie same kinds of marine 
 plants and animals appear in tlie slate at both extremities 
 of its layers ; and numerous as they indeed are, they 
 doubtless had an existence coeval with the original strati- 
 fication of the slate, where they are forever rendered in- 
 capable of either multiplication or decay. They were 
 the inhabitants of the same age, enjoyed similar bounties, 
 the same climate, and were companions at a period when 
 the waters of the sea were as warm as those of the present 
 tropical oceans ; a fact easily proved by their organization, 
 and the beauty and delicacy of their shelly coverings. 
 The corals, coraline, sponges, and other vegetable pro- 
 ductions of that period, although bearing a striking resem- 
 blance to those now flourishing in submarine situations, 
 have nevertheless some peculiar characterisfic features, 
 distinguishing them from species of the same classes now 
 inhabiting our shores, although tlieir lineal descendants 
 have long since passed away. Again as we ascend the 
 scale of superposition, the limestone of the sandstone 
 formation, contains numerous relics of productions belong- 
 ing to the shores and bottom of the ocean, with species 
 of shells and zoophytes like those still living and moving 
 upon the coasts of this interesting country. Without 
 seeking further testimony, these circumstances are perhaps 
 sufficient to prove, that the red sandstone of Nova Scotia 
 is a recent deposit, and was formed long since the strata of 
 slate had been die graves of myriads of plants, and animals, 
 belonging to an earlier period in the history of our planet. 
 
97 
 
 RED SANDSTONE DfSTRICT. 
 
 The new red sandstone in Nova Scotia, never attains 
 any considerable elevation, and the slate towering far 
 above it, dips beneath the soft and marly covering of the 
 country ; and also rising from beneath, forms some of 
 our most elevated hills. Is it then impossible, that long 
 after the slate had been thrown upwards by the expansion 
 of the granite, the sandstone might have been formed at 
 the bottom of a sea then covering the numberless marine 
 plants, and animals, now folded up in its strata ? Miglit 
 not the beds of limestone formerly have been coral reefs, 
 which as the sea retreated, became more compact, and 
 now furnish the surest evidence of their former growth ? 
 The relics of plants and animals in each of those classes 
 of rocks, afford tlie characters of an history written by 
 time itself. Here we need not fear the partiality of the 
 historian, nor the secrecy with which human affairs are 
 often conducted. Here great and important events in 
 the history of this globe, have been faithfully recorded, 
 by once living witnesses to the momentous catastrophes 
 tliat have taken place ; and their remains are yet preserved 
 for our use, that we may be able to form higher concep- 
 tions of the sublime works of our Almighty Creator. By 
 these imperishable records the cobweb theories of many 
 ancient \Jcologists are torn asunder, while modern opin- 
 ions, supported by facts alone, not only confirm the faith 
 of their believers, but lead them to enquire into circum- 
 stances hitherto unknown. 
 
 The practical value of the gypsiun must be manifest. 
 
 It already forms an article of commerce, and its demand 
 will increase yearly. Scattered along die whole coast of 
 
 the soldi side of the Basin of Mines, upon the banks of 
 
 13 
 
9S REP SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 navigable rivers and creeks, throughout an extensive por- 
 tion of the country, the gypsum can be quarried and 
 shipped at a low rate ; and from its inexhaustable treasures 
 supply the whole world with an article, which, in manj 
 places, will render the barren sand a fruitful soil, and 
 the parched ground a productive field. Moreover, the 
 best kinds of freestone may be quarried in many parts of 
 the Red Sandstone District, should it ever be required, 
 and the snowy white alabaster, with several variegated 
 kinds of that beautiful rock, may be procured for the 
 designs of the sculptor, among the beds of plaister so 
 common in the country. These at least will serve to 
 ornament the dwellings of those who rise with tlie pro- 
 gress of civilization, and keep pace with the match of 
 refinement. 
 
 Before this part of the subject is given up, the at- 
 tention should be directed to an opinion common in the 
 Province : namely, that gypsum is not beneficial to our 
 soil, while in many parts of the United States it produces 
 abundant crops. We have instigated several experiments 
 and made many observations, to ascertain how far those 
 opinions are correct, and give the following as the result 
 of our enquiries. In those situations where the plaister 
 forms the natural rock of the country, the soil to consi- 
 derable extent in every direction, is deeply impregnated 
 with the gypsum, and often in the immediate neigliboui- 
 hood of the rock, the soil is so completely surcharged 
 with the sulphate of lime, that sterility ensues, in the same 
 manner as if the ground had been manured too highly. In 
 the latter case however, the manure gradually decays, and 
 the earth is finally left fruitful for a definite period. But 
 
red sandstone district. 
 
 99 
 
 in plaister districts, the decomposition of the rock is 
 always going forward, and its influence is exerted from 
 year to year. Let the sulphate of lime be applied to soils 
 more distant from the rock, and where none of its parti- 
 cles enter into tlie mixture upon the surface, and the same 
 effects will be produced in Nova Scotia as in other coun- 
 tries. Hence in many paits of the Province, plaister 
 would be found extremely beneficial as a manure. 
 
 Wheiever beds of gypsum and limestone have ap- 
 peared tliroughout die country, collections of marl of 
 gieater or lesser dimensions, have also been noticed. Our 
 limits will not therefore allow a particular description of 
 each of those collections, and this brief outline has only 
 been given to arouse die attention of the farmer, if pos- 
 sible, and direct him to those valuable deposits of manure, 
 that may perchance be placed on his own lot. 
 
 A deposit of the purest white marl occurs in die Nine 
 Mile settlement, foiu- miles from the Shubenacadie Ri- 
 ver. It was discovered by the Revd. Robert Blackwood, 
 who kindly forwarded specimens containing shells. This 
 marl is of a pure white colour, and when dry falls into a 
 light powder eontaining a large quandty of the carbonate 
 of lime, and will, if skillfully used, greatly enrich the soil 
 to which it may be applied. This marl is mentioned 
 more pardcularly on account of its shells, tvhich are in a 
 good state of preservation, and very interesting ; being 
 similar to species found in die lias limestone, and lower 
 members of the oolite group in England. Among them 
 is a species of ammonite resembling the euomphalus pen- 
 tangulas. 
 
 Wherever the red sandstone is not covered by more 
 
100 RED SANDSTONE DISTRICT. 
 
 superficial deposits, or diluvium, its disintegration is 
 continually advancing, and the superimposed soil partakes 
 of its constituents and colour. Hence tlie reddish hue of 
 the soil is a certain indication of the rock beneath. When 
 the sandstone is contiguous to limestone, it becomes 
 marly, or calcareous, and very muddy after light showers 
 of rain. Beds of clay ai’c often deposited on the mem- 
 bers composing this group ; the soil then becomes ai’gil- 
 lacious or argillo-siliceous. In numerous instances has 
 the decomposed gypsum entered so extensively into the 
 superficial covering of the rocks, as to render it sterile . 
 and not a little skill would be required to preserve such 
 jiroportions of these materials as are necessary to the sup- 
 port of plants. In some parts of Devonshire in England, 
 the soil is so red, that the sheep driven from them are 
 knowTT by the colour of their fleeces. A similar obser- 
 vation may be made of those animals grazing on the red 
 soil of Nova Scotia. 
 
 A few cold and unfruitful patches, do indeed occupy 
 the surface of the rocks under consideration ^ this circum- 
 stance arises from collections of diluvial sand, and meagre 
 clay, of w^hich they are often composed. In such places 
 lime, and marl, are of great value, and would quickly 
 arouse the torpid covering of the earth, into healthy and 
 fruitful action. These observations have been made from 
 a number of situations where their subjects were manifest, 
 and it is evident they may be applied far beyond what has 
 hitherto been brought to our view; for in the inlantile 
 state of the country, it is impossible to mark the bounda- 
 ries, and the soil that covers them. 
 
 The shells ajrpearing in these rocks, certainly difler 
 
COAL FOKMATION. 
 
 101 
 
 in some pai ticulai's, from those of the lias formations of 
 otlier countries, and therefore we l.ave hesitated to ai)ply 
 tlie term has, to the compact carbonate of lime, a])pearing 
 above the red sandstone of Nova Scotia, until more accu- 
 rate information can be obtained, or the character of the 
 rock fully established, by those who arc better qualified 
 to decide upon its relative age. The beds of indurated 
 and earthy marl, clay, &c., seem to agree with the under 
 oolites m Great Britain, and contain the same, or similar 
 relics of the great London and Baris basins. Among 
 these relics we discovered a large molar tooth, belonging 
 to the mammalia tribe, and the jaw-bone of a species of 
 shark. These remains, few and insignificant as they may 
 appear, open a new source of enquiry in this country ; 
 they clearly testily that even here, not only numerous 
 tribes of shell-fish have been inhumed, but fish and land 
 animals have been buried in the common overtlnow. The 
 diluvial deposits on the south side of the Sandstone Dis- 
 trict, are similar to those covering older formations. In 
 some places tliey form collections of great depth, in others 
 they are altogether absent. 
 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 In dividing the Cefuntry into Geological Districts, it 
 was necessary to refer to the rocks of the Province, only 
 as they ajipear at the surface generally ; and not to the 
 strata often covered by more superficial deposits. The 
 
102 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 new red ssndstone in Nova Scotiay covers tiie coal mea- 
 sures to a great extent; notwithstanding the breaking 
 through, or outcropping of the sandstone, limestone, 
 shale, and clay iron-stone, belonging to the Coal Form- 
 ation. Therefore, having examined the new red sand- 
 stone formation, so far as it is unconnected with tlie car- 
 boniferous strata, it is now necessary to examine all the 
 Coal fields of the Province, so far as tliey have yet been 
 discovered ; and at the same time take some notice of the 
 red marl group, so frequently placed above them. Hi- 
 therto this group has been considered where it rests upon 
 the slate, old red sandstone, and mountain limestone ; 
 therefore, when we arrive at that point, where it is sepa- 
 rated from tliose rocks by a most important and valuable 
 class of strata, it is expedient to examine those strata 
 carefully, and point out tlieir situations and extent, as far 
 as possible under our present discoveries. 
 
 At Pictou, and in the County of Cumberland, the 
 coal measures are introduced, separating the newer rocks 
 from tliose of the transition series. Here the order of 
 superposition is perfect and regular, having all its members 
 present, occupying those situations, and producing that 
 harmony, so clearly laid down by Geologists, and beau- 
 tifully demonstrated in other countries. 
 
 The granite, gneiss, and mica slate, of the South 
 Mountains of Nova Scotia, are succeeded by the slate, 
 and other members of the greywacke group, reaching as 
 far northward as the Township of Egerton, in the District 
 of Pictou ; then comes the old red sandstone, succeeded 
 by the old mountain, or carboniferous limestone, upon 
 which the coal measures are placed, and surmounted by 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 10.0 
 
 the new red sandstone. But before a more particular 
 description is given, of these highly interesting, and im- 
 portant parts of the country, it may be necessary to lay 
 before the reader a brief view of the Coal Formation, as 
 it generally appears. This may prevent injudicious spe- 
 culation, in seeking for a mineral, where it can never be 
 found, for coal ever appears in any profitable quantity, 
 only under circumstances that never vary. Here again is 
 another instance where Geological knowledge is invalua- 
 ble. Numerous are the instances in which vast sums of 
 money were expended in sinking shafts, and seeking for 
 mines, where according to fixed laws, and the mandate 
 of Nature, they could never be discovered ; and men of 
 large estates have been ruined by ignorant pretenders. 
 
 Of all the substances ever taken from the earth, coal 
 is certainly the most useful. Its value increases witli the 
 improvements introduced almost yearly, in the power 
 communicated to all kinds of machinery. Besides the 
 numerous purposes to which it is generally applied, it 
 possesses the means of raising itself from the earth, and 
 forwarding its own transportation. Coal is power y it is 
 the foundation of manufacturing industry, the greatest 
 source of national wealth ; and administers largely to the 
 comforts of man. It hurls the car along the rail-road, the 
 boat across the mighty deep ; it lights the city traveller 
 along his midnight way, and warms the shivering peasant, 
 after his daily toil is over. 
 
 All the different kinds of coal commonly used, are 
 found beneath the surface of the earth, alternated wnth 
 strata of sandstone, a slaty clay called shale, sometimes 
 with limestone, and clay iron-stone. These strata vary 
 
104 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 much, both in the size of their granular fragments, hard- 
 ness and thickness. Associated and alternated with each 
 other, they form beds varying from a few acres to several 
 miles in extent, and are known under the name of Coal 
 Measures. Any portion of countiy containing coal, is 
 called a Coal Field. The different strata composing a 
 coal field, are generally very regular throughout the same 
 field ; but different coal fields have diflerent arrangements 
 of their strata, each being peculiar to itself. Between 
 these layers of sandstone, shale, &c., the coal is depo- 
 sited, also varying from an inch to many feet in thickness. 
 The number of seams of coal may be few or many, but 
 in every instance the quantity of carboniferous matter is 
 much less than tliat of the associated rocks. 
 
 The rocks which make up a Coal Formation, are 
 die old red sandstone, the carboniferous limestone, and 
 a coarse sandstone called the millstone grit ; upon the 
 latter rock the coal measures are generally placed. Some- 
 times coal is interstratified with die limestone, and mill- 
 stone grit, but the above is the most usual order of its 
 occurrence. It would be in vain to seek for coal in any 
 of the rocks beneath the old red sandstone, or in any 
 above the new red sandstone ; as all profitable mines of 
 tills kind of coal, are confined to the series, placed between 
 those rocks. 
 
 Coal measures most frequently lie in a great trough, 
 or basin, in the earth, rising upwards from a central point 
 to the surface. Hence, if a section of a coal field be 
 made, by cutting it through the middle, and removing 
 one half, die remaining portion will present a number of 
 coal seams, accompanied by the interstratified rocks form- 
 
COAL FOHMATION. 105 
 
 ing portions of rings, or segments of circles. Tlie ends 
 of tliese rings or ilie sides of the coal basin, often rise to 
 the surface, and are then called the outcropping. If a 
 number of bowls be buried in tlie earth, placed one within 
 the other, and separated by layers of slaty rocks, having 
 one or more of their edges rising to the surface ; then if 
 we suppose each of these bowls to consist of coal, a min- 
 iature coal basin is represented. In this manner most of 
 the coal basins of Europe appear, and those of Nova 
 Scotia are like them. 
 
 Thete is another kind of coal called anthracite, or 
 stone coal, found in primary and transition rocks ; it con- 
 tains no bitumen, and its history is involved in great ob- 
 scurity. This species can never be proCtably worked, 
 and therefore is not an object of statistical interest. 
 
 ORIGIN OF COAL. 
 
 Although there are arguments of some force against 
 the vegetable origin of coal, those arguments vanish when 
 the carboniferous strata are examined. Having entered 
 among layers of rock, where tliat important article is only 
 found in any considerable quantity, the mind is suddenly 
 arrested with the remains of vegetable productions, which 
 increase just in proportion as beds of coal are approached. 
 At least three hundred species of fossil plants have been 
 discovered in coal fields, ferns, equicetacea, araucarian 
 pines, conifera, cacti, lofty palms, and enormous rush- 
 like plants, are crowded together on the very border of 
 the coal. The cortical portion of these plants, is often 
 carbonized ; in some a part of the wood has been changed. 
 
lOG 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 and in other instances a gradual passage from wood to coa? 
 is manifest. All these plants, wherever they are now 
 found among the rocks, are the growth of warm latitudes, 
 so that a great and sudden change must have taken place 
 in all northern climates, since their foliage covered the . 
 country where their relics are now found. Previous to 
 the great Deluge, recorded by Moses in Sacred Histoiy, 
 the Earth had doubtless suffered many and great changes, 
 and perhaps from common causes, lakes, basins, and 
 estuaries, had from time to time received successive lay- 
 ers of vegetable matter, swept into them by overwhelming 
 torrents. Perhaps a layer of woody matter, was suc- 
 eeeded by a layer of sand, or clay, which might have 
 produced those alternations that yet remain. In all this 
 nothing more has taken place, than is still going forwaid 
 upon the earth, and from the recent discoveries of the 
 conversion of peat into coal, may still be advancing. The 
 operations of causes now active upon this planet, may be 
 sufficient to account for the collections of lignite, so com- 
 mon in all countries ; but to our humble judgment, are 
 not sufficient to explain all the changes which have taken 
 place. And why need we seek to prove the formation of 
 coal, from the vast rafts of wood yearly sinking in the 
 embouchures of large rivers ? Was there not a deluge 
 where is the Geologist who has hardihood enough to deny 
 that most certain of all Geological facts ? But we foi- 
 bear ; and without entering into the theoretical deductions 
 relating to the origin of coal, proceed to examine its de- 
 posits in Nova Scotia, which for richness and extent, wdl 
 stand high compared with the collections discovered in 
 any country. 
 
Before we proceed to give a more particular account 
 «f the Nova Scotia coal fields, it may be observed Uiat 
 Uie bituminous mineral is not confined to any particular 
 County or District, but occupies a large area of the 
 country. Not by conclusions arrived at in the closet, 
 should die vegetable origin of coal be maintained, but by 
 carefully examining die facts recorded by the hand of Na- 
 ture, and stamped upon almost every rock within the limits 
 of coal basins. Not by chemical experiments, instituted 
 under liability to accident, and to be disturbed by agents 
 perhaps unknown, even to Sir Humphrey Davy, the fa- 
 ther of cJiemistry. Not by wandering among the inven- 
 tions of men, need diis subject be elucidated ; the appear- 
 ance of whole trees, partially converted into the bituminous 
 compound, and which still exhibit the vegetable fibre, 
 proves more than all the nice reasonings of philosojihers, 
 and IS of itself sufiicient to convince any mind not har- 
 <lened against the truth. 
 
 •General View of the Independe.nt Coal Fields 
 OF Nova Scotia. 
 
 COBEQUID CHAIN. 
 
 From Cape Chignecto, at the entrance of Chignecto 
 Cliannel. and on the northern coast of die Bay of Fundy, 
 there is a chain of Mountains extending eastwardly 
 through Parrsborough, Economy, and Onslow, where its 
 extremity is divided or Ibikcd. One branch of this 
 
lOS 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 chain includes Mount Thom, and continues its course 
 towards Merigomish. Tlie other branch runs towards 
 Tatmagouche, on tlie Gulf of St. Lawrence. Although 
 these mountains attain in many places a considerable 
 elevation, they have not been delineated on any map of 
 the Province. The high lands in that part of tlie country 
 where the road fi'om Truro to Amherst crosses this chain, 
 are called the Cobequid Mountains, and one of the ele- 
 vations on the old road from Truro to Pictou, is denom- 
 inated Mount Thom, although we were unable to disco- 
 ver which of the Mountains neai- the sources of the West 
 River of Pictou had received that appellation. Green 
 Hill, in the District of Pictou, enters into the branch 
 that is stretched out towards Merigomish. Notwithstand- 
 ing those elevations are distinguished by well-known 
 names, they are only links in the extensive chain that 
 separates tlie County of Cumberland from its neighboui- 
 ing Districts, and is sUelched across this section of the 
 l^rovincG. Sonic of these mountains contain piimaiy 
 rocks, but in general they are composed of greywacke, 
 and enormous ridges of porphyry. They form a line of 
 division betiv’cen the coal fields of Pictou, Pomket, 
 Onslow, the north side of the Basin of Mines, and those 
 of the County of Cumberland. Almost all this moun- 
 tainous country is uninhabited, and from many points 
 along its range, one unbroken forest meets the eye. 
 Having crossed these mountains at a number of places, 
 a brief detail of the most important of their features will 
 be given, from which a general idea of their whole struc- 
 ture may be formed. 
 
 Between those ridges, and the primary chain on the 
 
110 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 I 
 
 been scientifically explored ; and the infant state of the 
 Colony presents many difficulties in ascertaining their 
 boundaries. The result of our labours will be given, 
 limited as they are, when compared with the importance 
 of the subject, and the wide field where they have been 
 devoted. The practical value of this portion of Nova 
 Scotia, is incalculable, and the great variety of organic 
 remains contained in it, is worthy the research of a Buck- 
 land or a Cuvier. 
 
 With much labour has the Cobequid Chain of Moun- 
 tains been traced from one side of the Province to the 
 other ; and notwithstanding W’e might claim the original 
 discovety of its continuation, and boundaries, and were 
 the first to mark its outline upon the Map of the Province, 
 no other name than that applied already to one portion of 
 its rugged hills, has been bestowed ; and until a more 
 appropriate shall be given, we choose to preserve the 
 ancient designation of the natives, and therefore have 
 called it the Cobequid Chain. This chain of mountains 
 seems to preserve an uniform width, which seldom ex- 
 ceeds ten miles. In some places even that distance would 
 much more than reach from side to side of its base. Its 
 course is nearly east and west, until it reaches Mount 
 Thom, where the bifurcation may be observed. 
 
 Eastward of the road between Truro and Tatnia- 
 gouche, the mountains appear to consist chiefly of grey- 
 wacke and greywacke slate, which are met by the coal 
 measures of Pictou on one side, and those of Cumber- 
 land on the other. On the Cobequid Mountains, as they 
 are called, granite, in limited masses, makes its appear- 
 ance near Mr. Purdy’s farm, and is seen at several pla- 
 
 I 
 
COAL FORMATION'. 
 
 Ill 
 
 CCS along the road. It also forms the top of the “ Sugar 
 Loaf”, in the neighbourhood of West Chester. West- 
 ward there are immense ridges of porphyry, of several 
 diflerent kinds, some of these are beautiful when cut and 
 polished. Appearing only at the summits of the loftiest 
 mountains, the granite is confined to narrow limits, and 
 is insufficient to render improper the appellation of Pri- 
 mary District to the south side of the country. 
 
 Northward of Economy and Parrsborough, the Co- 
 bequid chain consists chiefly of greywacke, greywacke 
 slate, and porphyry. 
 
 Covered with a thick and pathless forest, the moun- 
 tains defy the labours of the Geologist, and the minerals 
 they contain are so perfectly concealed beneath the rub- 
 bish on the surface, that many years will elapse before 
 the progress of cultivation will admit of their discovery. 
 Often has an attempt been made to examine the rocks at 
 the sources of rivers flowing between the oval crests of 
 the hills, and almost as often has disappointment followed 
 from rafts of trees, and windfalls, which have been 
 plunged from the steep sides of the ravines into the 
 narrow channels below. More than once has the carri- 
 boo been alarmed by our footsteps, and darted away with 
 bounding speed. Not so the lazy and sulky bear— he 
 has either stood his ground, or carelessly stalked among 
 the underbrush upon the approach of a solitary visitor. 
 Notwithstanding the difficulties attending Geological pur- 
 suits in all new countries, the length of the winter season, 
 and the violent freshets common in the spring and autumn, 
 several interesting facts have been discovered in regard 
 to the Cobequid Chain. The granite and other primary 
 
112 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 masses of these mountains appear to have been forced 
 upwards, through tlie strata of secondary rocks. Tliis 
 opinion seems fully established, where the strata on each 
 side of the chain are seen leaning towards and upon the 
 more elevated granite and porphyry. On the Cumber- 
 land side of this chtun the strata lean to the soutliward, 
 and dip nortli. On the south side the layers incline 
 northward, dipping in the contrary direction. The rocks 
 belonging to the coal measures also conform to this ar- 
 rangement. The Cobequid Mountains appear like a long 
 and narrow dyke, tlnust upwards through the coal strata 
 of the country ; and tire disturbance they have produced 
 becomes more obvious as the tops of its highest hills are 
 ascended. Its prominences can be seen at a considerable 
 distance ; one of them, placed a number of miles from 
 the coast of Parrsborough, affords a well know^n landmark 
 to pilots in the Basin of Mines. Several pieces of black 
 oxide of manganese, were picked up from the bottom of 
 the east river, in the Five Island Village. They had 
 evidently been carried down the stream by the rapidity 
 of the water, but widi the spot from whence they came 
 we are yet unacquainted. Sulphate of iron, arsenical 
 pyrites, and specular iron ore, have also been found in 
 the greywacke of Parrsborough, but each of these min- 
 erals appear in inconsiderable quantities. 
 
 The nortli side of Nova Scotia may be compared to 
 a large level plain penetrated by estuaries and rivers, 
 which like large drains convey the melted snow and rain 
 from the higher grounds. Almost through the centre of 
 this valley, the Cobequid chain of mountains extends 
 across the country to the distance of more than a hundi ed 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 113 
 
 and twenty miles, greatly increasing the beauty of the 
 Province, and rendering its atmosphere more healthy. 
 
 PARRSBOROUGH. 
 
 Still pursuing the sume order in our descriptions, 
 that was obseiwed in making the examinations from which 
 they were drawn, the rocks connected with the Coal 
 Formations will be viewed, beginning at Cape Chignecto, 
 and following the north side of the Bay of Fundy, and 
 Basin of Mines, across the country to Pictou. Near tlie 
 extremity of the above Cape, the shale is covered by the 
 trap rocks, and at the place where their junction might be 
 expected, they are so blended togedier, that a compound 
 IS formed, very dilierent from eitlier rock, under ordinary 
 circumstances. 
 
 The shore on the north side of Advocate Harbour, 
 is composed of alternate strata of shale, and sandstone. 
 The strata have suffered great disturbance, being broken 
 and distorted wherever they appear. It nevertheless 
 seems quite certain, that their layers dip northward. Not 
 any of the relics of animals were observed among them ; 
 nor was a specimen found here worth carrying away. 
 Near the house of Mr. Knowlton, the red sandstone will 
 be observed resting upon the shale, and dipping beneath 
 the trap of the lofty Cape D’Or. On the main land, 
 westwaid of Spencer’s Island, there are several strata of 
 grey sandstone, suitable for buildings and grindstones. 
 Near Mr. Fraser’s farm, there is an unimportant bed of 
 gypsum. At Phiney’s Brook a small quantity of limestone 
 appears upon the shore, where it seems only to occupy 
 an isolated spot. i.'s 
 
114 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 Near Ratchford’s River the shale is black, resem- 
 bling that which rests upon the main coal band, at Pictou. 
 Sulphuret of iron in cubic crystals, often appears among 
 the shale and sandstone, succeeding each other in regular 
 layers, along this border of the Bay. Between the above 
 place and Fox River, the strata are covered with a deep 
 bed of diluvial sand and rounded pebbles, forming upon 
 the sea coast a bank often forty feet high. Phis collec- 
 tion of diluvial detritus, is undergoing a constant and rapid 
 destruction from the waves ever dashing upon its founda- 
 tion. It was in a part of this bank, we were surprised 
 upon the discovery of a number of human bones, which 
 had become exposed, and were slipping downwards, to- 
 wards the river. Having carefully returned them to the 
 earth, and in a safer situation, the information of an old 
 inhabitant gave sufficient proof, that they belonged to an 
 unfortunate squaw, who had dressed herself in a bearskin, 
 and during a snow storm was mistaken by her husband 
 for a bear, and shot. This melancholy event look place 
 many years ago, and the poor Indian remained a maniac 
 during the rest of his life. 
 
 A vein of coal only two inches wide, has appeared 
 on lire east side of Fox River ; but no important quantity 
 of that useful combustible, will probably ever be discov- 
 ered where its measures are so much confined. Fine 
 grained sandstone, of a superior quality for buildings, and 
 capable of affording good grindstones, may be readily 
 quarried between Fox Point and Diligence River. It 
 contains numerous remains and impressions of large lan- 
 ceolate leaves, which appear to have been much broken 
 up at the time of their fossilizalion, and show their cat- 
 
bonized reimiants in detached pieces among tlie solid 
 rocks. 
 
 Not far westward of Diligence River there is a col- 
 lection of clay iron-stone, in which we discovered a 
 fossil tree apparently of the coniferae tribe, converted into 
 compact iron ore. This tree was probably about eighteen 
 inches in diameter, and as it was placed between strata 
 of the rocks, has been broken in many pieces, some of 
 which have fallen from the embankment of the shore with 
 other rubbish. The bark and considerable portions of 
 the wood forming the original tree, have been converted 
 into lignite, and jet. The whole of its masses seem to 
 exhibit the harmony of that law, by which all substances 
 during their petrifaction, assume the characters of the 
 substances wherein they are changed from organic into 
 inorganic matter. Thus an Jlrhor Martus, or iron tree, 
 has been formed, and the perishable fibres of wood have 
 been succeeded by more durable kinds of matter. On 
 the east side of the river, the sandstone forms a high 
 cliff, called Bull s Bluff. At this place lignites are numer- 
 ous ; some of them resemble the stalks of Indian corn, 
 others immense reeds. Large trees have apparently be- 
 come flattened between the rocks, and converted into 
 lignite. In some of tliese a small portion of the centre 
 ol the tree has resisted the change produced on the cir- 
 cumference, and has been transmuted into a sandstone, 
 forming a longitudinal pith through the centre of the once 
 flourishing plant. The impressions of leaves are numer- 
 ous ; they appear like large species of the Gladiolus” 
 or common flag of the counlry. The Bluff furnishes 
 specimens ol jet, but little inlcrior to those found in 
 
116 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 Spain. This mineral is black and blackish brown, 
 opaque, compact, and susceptible of a high polish. 
 
 Between Black Rock and Partridge Island, the 
 shale and alternating sandstone exhibit in their strata the 
 effects of a powerful force that has acted from below up- 
 wards. At each extremity of West Bay, the layers are 
 nearly perpendicular, while in the centre they are hori- 
 zontal undulated, or run in zigzag lines along the coast, 
 where they form a bold precipice, almost equalling jn 
 grandeur the sublime scenery of the trap rocks. At 
 Partridge Island the upturned strata are a little retired 
 from the shore. Upon their most prominent ridge stands 
 tlie blockliouse, while between it and the basin a narrow 
 space is sufficiently level to afford an easy communication 
 with the harbour, and to accommodate the inhabitants of 
 the beautiful village standing upon its border. Near this 
 romantic spot tliere is an extraordinary locality. The 
 remains and impressions of large flags, and other aqueous 
 plants, are found in strata of blue shale. Several other 
 small vegetables have been observed imbedded in tliis 
 rock 5 and their appearance indicates that they were the 
 growth of low and moist grounds. Immediately along- 
 side of the strata containing these antediluvian records, 
 and in immediate contact with tlieir branches and leaves, 
 .the rodk is filled with myriads of fossil shells, wliichhave 
 been obtained in great perfection and beauty . 
 
 These shells belong to a species of the mytilus ed- 
 ulis, or common fresh water muscle ; none of their kind 
 ever inliabited tlie saline waters of the ocean, and tlieir 
 home was at the bottom of some lake, pool, or rivulet, 
 whose waters flowed from higher grounds. Here the 
 
COAL FOKMATION. 
 
 117 
 
 productions of tlte soil, and the testaceous inhabitants of 
 tlie water, have been buried side by side. Here the ani- 
 mal and vegetable creations have been laid up together in 
 the vast cabinet of Nature ; here is testimony of the most 
 extraordinary kind, proving the changes which have taken 
 place upon the earth, since it rose from the dark and 
 mighty deep. And great must the overthrow have been, 
 when the inhabitants of the peaceful lake or brook, and 
 the plants which blossomed upon its margin, were doomed 
 to be imprisoned in the solid rock, where their remauis 
 still appear, forming the monuments of their former vital- 
 ity, and the awful shock that hurled them upwards above 
 the level of tiie waters. Had the phenomena which 
 accompanied the events recorded at tliis place, been in- 
 scribed by the hand of man, many would ridicule them 
 as idle phantoms : but as the most faithful Historian has 
 placed the objects of the narrative before our eyes, we 
 should begin to know how limited our knowledge is of 
 what is past. , 
 
 A bed of coarse breccia forms the east side of the 
 mouth of Partridge Island River ; the grey sandstone 
 find black shale, in perpendicular strata, compose the 
 shore as far eastward as Clarke’s Head, where it is suc- 
 ceeded by a bed of diluvium ; and afterwards by the new 
 red sandstone, which is finally overlaid by a mass of 
 trap, to be mentioned hereafter. At this locality all the 
 rocks have been under the influence of heat during the 
 formation of the greenstone in the neighbourhood ; and 
 there are few places in the Province, where so great a 
 variety of minerals has been produfeed. The sulphur 
 has been united with the iron, and lai^e plates of shale 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 US 
 
 are covered with a brilliant efflorescence of the sulphate 
 of that metal, forming very singular specimens. Tho 
 sulphate and carbonate of lime, are mixed, and contain 
 within narrow fissures, groups of crystals, called hog tooth 
 spar. Frequently the mixed rocks have their surfaces 
 studded with delicate crystals of analcime. Sandstone, 
 shale, trap, gypsum, and limestone, seem to have been 
 ihrown together and heated intensely. Hence many 
 masses of rock defy classification, and must be consign- 
 ed to that very convenient term in Mineralogy, called 
 compounds.*^ A few yards in front of a low cliff, a 
 solitary pillar of rock, about seventy feet high, adds much 
 to the beauty of the shore. In this rock several inte- 
 resting specimens may be obtained. They are the tre- 
 molite, augite, micaceous oxide, and sulphuret of iron. 
 The tremolite is distinctly crystalised in prisms : some- 
 times these prisms are oblique and terminated by diedral 
 summits. The augite is of a dark green colour : when 
 the crystals are found regular, they are geneially six- 
 sided prisms, occasionally terminated witli beveled tops. 
 Small cavities in the pillar are often lined with delicate 
 crystals of this mineral, and sometimes contain all the 
 above substances congregated together. The micaceous 
 oxide will be known by its tabular cry-stals and pigeon- 
 blue colour : and the sulphuret of iron exhibits its usual 
 brassy appearance. 
 
 From Swan Creek to Moose River, the red sand- 
 stone crowned with trap, predominates. Tliese rocks 
 will be particularly described when treating of the 1 rap 
 District. Alterna^ layers ol sand-stone, iron-stone, and 
 shale, constitute the shore at the entrance, and lorm walls 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 119 
 
 on the sides of Moose River. Here tlie coal and its se- 
 ries, extends along the coast of Mines Basin some dis- 
 tance, and would lead any miner to suppose that veins of 
 that most useful mineral were cropping out before him. 
 No coal has however been discovered at this river, al- 
 though it is highly probable it will be found when the sur- 
 face becomes cleared of the thick forests now growing 
 upon it. Another indication of coal at this place, is the 
 number of fossil plants, and impressions of leaves con- 
 tained in the strata, wliich dip in a north easterly direc- 
 tion. Near the entrance of the above river, we discov- 
 ered an immense fossil tree, which js not only remarkable 
 on account of its great magnitude, but also for the great 
 perfection of its branches and leaves. The shale and 
 sandstone are gradually broken up, and removed by the 
 operation of the elements upon tlieir brittle and crumbling 
 strata ; hence this enormous tree, now a solid stone, once 
 buried deeply in the earth, became exposed, and large 
 sections of its trunk are now seen projecting from the base 
 of an almost perpendicular cliff. One portion of the trunk, 
 supposed to be its largest part, measures nearly three feet 
 in diameter. Anotlier section, of dimensions gradually 
 becoming less, penetrates the rocks to an ujiknown dis- 
 tance : from the size of those blocks, and the supposed 
 class to which the tree belonged, it must have been a lofty 
 plant. It has not, however, like some others that will 
 be noticed hereafter, maintained its original perpendicu- 
 lar position. Its glory is fallen, and probably during the 
 rush of some fearful torrent, has been uprooted and co- 
 vered by the materials now forming its grave. This fos- 
 sil, in its appearance, has a general agreement with the 
 
120 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 LcjJt do dendron Jlculatum of Sternburg, an arborescent 
 plant) having some analogy to the cocoa-nut tree of the 
 tropics. We have finally succeeded in tracing this tree 
 to its branches and leaveS) which are perfect models of 
 the original. Among the shale and near the trunk of the 
 above fossil, we also discovered numerous impressions of 
 leaves, apparently belonging to different species of 
 grasses ; and the remains of the aquicetacea are abun- 
 dant. Beautiful impressions of the leaves of the Sphen- 
 opteris Trifoliata are seen when opening the slaty rock, 
 appearing as natural as if they were just taken from tlie 
 herbarium of a botanist. But among the numerous vege- 
 table organic remains found at the above locality, none 
 are more interesting than a kind of fruit resembling grapes, 
 which are so naturally preserved among the stony foliage 
 of this singular spot, that no doubt remains of their ori- 
 ginal character. A whole strata of black shale, contain- 
 ing a large quantity of carboniferous matter, is almost 
 wholly composed of grasses, branches, and leaves of trees. 
 
 May we not be allowed to pause for a moment in 
 these enquiries, and reflect upon the phenomena before 
 us.- That the freshwater shells and aqueous plants at 
 Crane’s Point, and tlie majestic tree at Moose River, 
 with all the lesser plants, that were once mantled in green 
 beneath its branches, were the productions of the same 
 age, there can be no doubt. All these relics are enclosed 
 in the same class of rocks, and furnish the best testimo- 
 ny of their coeval existence. But how are they changed ; 
 the muscle has now become a solid stone, and the tower- 
 ing palm an unbending and massive column. Perhaps, 
 in considering the orig’mal habits of the plants just des- 
 
COAL FORRIATlOiy. 
 
 121 
 
 cribed, we must as Count Sternburg observes, “ trans- 
 port our thoughts to an epoch, when the vast tracts now 
 occupied by more recent marine deposits, were still be- 
 neath their parent ocean, from which scattered groups of 
 primitive islands alone emerged, covered by the vegetation 
 of which, these relics are still preserved. The rivers, 
 which in such a condition of things, would have existed 
 only as torrents, would frequently tear up this vegetation, 
 and deposit it along the bottom of the adjacent basins.” 
 But we will shortly have occasion to shew, that a whole 
 forest of fossil plants in Nova Scotia, retains in a great 
 measure the upright position, so necessary to its former 
 existence ; and produce substantial proof that in one in- 
 stance at least, trees now remain in the same position and 
 place they occupied during their growth. 
 
 In the rocks to which we refer, there are no remains 
 of land animals. This indeed is a remarkable circum- 
 stance, and has produced a belief in some, that long be- 
 fore these animals were created, the seas were inhabited, 
 the earth covered with herbage, and prepared to receive 
 those creatures which were destined to feed upon the ten- 
 der plant, and find a shelter beneath the branches of the 
 lofty palm. Might not many of the changes which have 
 taken place upon the earth, have been produced between 
 that period when the globe was first created, and the No- 
 achian deluge ? And might not many of those effects, the 
 causes of which are now almost inexplicable, have been 
 produced at that momentous period, when the “ windows 
 of heaven were opened,” and » the fountains of the great 
 deep broken up ?” From what we have endeavoured to 
 examine, and our feeble penetration into these dark pro- 
 
122 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 blcmSf W 6 316 conip 6 llGd to bcliGVGj tbut in no wsy C 3 H 
 these phenomena he so satisfactorily accounted for and 
 explained, as by admitting the brief account of the crea- 
 tion of the world, in the first Chapter of Genesis ; and 
 that there is no necessity for making the world appear 
 older than its date given by Moses. Fortunately how- 
 ever, diversified as the opinions of modern Geologists 
 may be, there are few who do not add much testimony 
 to corroborate the statements of that inspired historian. 
 
 Before the plants to which we refer, could have be- 
 come petrified or converted into stone, it was necessary 
 that they should have been submersed beneath the waters 
 of a lake or ocean, at the bottom of which layers of sand 
 and argillaceous particles, accumulate in successive de- 
 posits, according to the course of the currents^, and the 
 rocks from which their materials were derived. And is 
 it not probable that the bottom of the sea where these 
 collections of vegetable matter have been made, and 
 covered by successive layers of sand and clay, has been 
 uplifted by some volcanic force ? The sand and clay 
 have been rendered solid, and still preserve their stratifi- 
 cation : the plants have been decomposed, and their 
 places filled up by the surrounding materials, presenting 
 those facts so common in secondary deposits. 
 
 The causes of similar phenomena are now in pro- 
 gress upon the earth. Instances might be quoted where 
 vast rafts of timber finally sink at the mouths of rivers, 
 and in estuaries where there are enormous accumulations 
 of vegetable matter. Such occurrences are common on 
 the Mississippi, and other large rivers, and why should 
 they not have taken place on the antediluvian world ? 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 123 
 
 These effects may be altogether independent of the great 
 general deluge. The detritus of that overwhelming flood 
 is indeed placed above the rocks containing those vegeta- 
 ble remains, and is common in all parts of the world. 
 
 The volcanic fires of the earth are gradually becom- 
 ing extinct. They were evidently far more vehement in 
 former ages than in the present day. Therefore we have 
 sufficient reasons to believe, that from the creation of the 
 world to the deluge, great changes must have taken place 
 upon the earth’s surface. Who can clearly decide, that 
 the flaming sword which forever shut out our first parents 
 from Eden’s delightful garden, was not a livid torrent of 
 flame, issuing from the ground polluted by sin } Near 
 Moose River, there are huge masses of trap rocks, and 
 there is every evidence aftbrded, that in that neighbour- 
 hood at least, the earth’s internal fires have broken forth. 
 
 From Moose River to the settlement at Five Islands, 
 the red sandstone occupies the embankment of the shore, 
 and is covered at some places witli a diluvial deposit from 
 ten to thirty feet deep. A small headland called “ Blue 
 Sac,” is composed of breccia, and seems to be the margin 
 of the trap formation. At the above settlement, the 
 red sandstone, covered by diluvium, composes the low 
 grounds. The mountainous chain already noticed, here 
 begins to recede from the shore. Over its perpendicular 
 strata of greywacke, the North River falls in a splendid 
 cataract, and offers to the eye a waving rainbow, playing 
 in Its beautiful colours over the frothy pool into which the 
 broken torrent descends. The waters of this fall pass 
 over a precipice about fifty feet high. In the spring and 
 autumn, when the contents of the river is increased, it 
 
124 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 produces a hoUow sound, wliich may be heard at the 
 distance of several miles. Were it placed in a more ex- 
 posed and populous part of the country, it would aflTord a 
 celebrated resort for the lovers of romantic scenes. From 
 the bank of Bass River, a small stream running through 
 die settlement, a salt spring rises from the red sandstone 
 beneath. These waters have never been analysed ; but 
 they probably contain only the muriate of soda, (common 
 salt.) It is reported by the inhabitants of the Village, 
 that they possess medicinal virtues but it is probable, 
 that a strong solution of Liverpool salt, in clean water, 
 would be equally efficacious in healing them of Uieir dis- 
 eases. Although a bed of rock salt may be near the spot 
 from which this spring issues, it could not be worked 
 without a great expense, as it is probably situated on a 
 narrow point of land and nearly surrounded by the sea at 
 high water. 
 
 ECONOMY. 
 
 The new red sandstone forms the shore of this 
 Township, and often rises to considerable height. Its 
 layers are nearly horizontal in some places, while at 
 others they dip to the southward, at a small angle. Ex- 
 cellent quarries of freestone might be opened along tliis 
 coast, and durable materials for building be procured at a 
 low rate, although great care should be taken to select 
 strata tliat will resist the weather. Near the principal 
 source of the Economy River, there is another splendid 
 water-fall, and the contents of tlie rapid stream is hurled 
 over the strata forming the south side of the Cobequid 
 
126 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 Other marine inhabitants. Among the former we discov- 
 ered the Js'autilus Truncalus, Productm Scolicus, and 
 belemites. The limestone is one of the largest of the 
 most recent deposits, in the country. It approaches the 
 oolite series, of which there are no extensive formations 
 in Nova Scotia, so far as we have surveyed it. Nor can 
 a pound of chalk be found in British America, belonging 
 to its rocks ; hence those more recent depositions have 
 never been made in this (juarter of the eaith. 
 
 The discovery of the carbonate of lime in the above 
 Township, is very valuable. A few years ago the inhab- 
 itants were obliged to cross the Basin, to obtain the rock 
 that has since been found abundant on several of their 
 farms. Beds of clay of a superior quality, are common 
 between the upper members of the red marl group, and 
 the limestone. Many of these would afford tiie best ma- 
 terials for potteries, and for the manufacture of some kinds 
 of china. These argillaceous beds are often covered with 
 sand and water-worn pebbles to a considerable depth. 
 Notwithstanding they often rise to tlie surface, where they 
 can be readily opened. 
 
 LONDONDERRY. 
 
 A SIMILAR series of formations to that just described, 
 continues its course eastward. We did not observe any 
 gypsum along the shore of this Towmship, and the lime- 
 stone is less common on the margin of the Basin at this 
 place, than it is farther eastward. The mountainous 
 chain northward of the great road, and the rocks belong- 
 longing to coal series, by running farther from the coast 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 127 
 
 than at Parrsborough, have a low and fertile plain at their 
 bases, and the oval prominences so characteristic of the 
 red sandstone, may be observed in every quarter of tliis 
 fertile district. 
 
 At the mouth of Portapique River, and on the farm 
 of Mr. William Davison, two small salt springs break 
 from the bank, which at their site is thickly covered with 
 diluvial gravel. The water of these springs is highly im- 
 pregnated with common salt. Three pounds of good 
 salt were obtained, by evaporating ten gallons of water in 
 the ordinary way. 
 
 On the banks of the Portapique, pieces of coal have 
 been discovered. A small quantity of the micaceous 
 oxide of iron, was however, the only reward for a hard 
 day’s labour among the rocks overhanging its sides. 
 
 Several beds of limestone are exposed on De Burt 
 River. A little to the westward of the bridges crossing 
 that stream, and on the farm of Mr. Morrison, the rock 
 abounds in shells of various kinds. We have been un- 
 able to decide upon all their different species, any farther 
 than that they generally agree witli those of the lias for- 
 mation in England. The rock in which they are now 
 secured, is of a reddish colour, and apparently mixed 
 with the marly sandstone lying beneath it. It affords 
 good lime when calcined, and is easily quarried. A bed 
 of dark coloured slaty limestone occurs in immediate 
 contact with the above rock, on its west side, and was 
 evidently formed under different circumstances. Three 
 species of shells appear in tliis calcareous deposit ; they 
 are all bivalves, and are not found in the red limestone. 
 These bivalves are so different from any of the species we 
 
128 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 have seen figured or described, that it has not been deter- 
 mined to what family they belong. Indeed, if the reader 
 would wish to try his skill in fossil concbology, the rocks 
 near the entrance of DeBurt River, will afford abundant 
 materials for his exercise. A bed of gypsum also appears 
 at the above place ; but as that mineral can be more con- 
 veniently shipped from the other side of the Basin, it is 
 of little value. 
 
 On some of the preceding pages, the fresh water 
 shells, and the fossil plants, incarcerated in the shale of 
 Parrsborough, have been very concisely described, and 
 a few hints given of their probable history. But here, in 
 rocks of later origin — in those which are placed far above 
 that shale in the order of succession,— the testaceous in- 
 habitants of the sea are cemented together, almost defying 
 conjecture itself. But if we enquire into the condition of 
 all the secondary strata, and believe that while one por- 
 tion of the habitable earth has been engulphed in the wa- 
 ters of a primeval ocean, and the bed of the ancient sea 
 uplifted far above the waters that covered it ; If we be- 
 lieve that these changes may have been effected, perhaps 
 several times, upon the same portion of the earth’s sur- 
 face, there will then be no difficulty in finding causes equal 
 to the effects produced. We had been informed by a 
 respectable individual, that some kind of ore was common 
 in the fields near this river, and found upon examination, 
 that pieces of hematite were scattered over the surface, 
 and often became exposed during the ploughing of the soil. 
 This species of iron ore is often beautifully crystalised, 
 and assumes several imitative figures. Its occurrence on 
 the surface of new rocks, and intermixture with the soil, 
 
130 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 are also patches of brown and white sand, produced from 
 the same cause, and are common wherever the eye is 
 turned over the Province. Limestone forms a portion of 
 Dickson’s Hill, four miles north east of the Village of 
 Truro, and the fertile surface of the country extending 
 eastwardly through a number of flourishing settlements, 
 whose inhabitants have been taught by experience to cul- 
 tivate the red soil in preference to any other. 
 
 Ten miles northward of the beautiful Village of Truro, 
 and near the road to Tatmagouch, an outcropping of two 
 veins of coal has been discovered on the banks of a brook 
 that cuts the strata, almost at right angles. The layers of 
 coal cross the brook, and have been worked from twenty 
 to an hundred yards in each direction, on a level with the 
 stream passing across them. They are separated from 
 each other about two furlongs. The largest vein is twenty 
 and the other twelve inches in thickness — dip southward, 
 one foot in three. The coal burns freely, altliough not 
 highly charged with bitumen. We examined these mines 
 accompanied by an intelligent old miner, who had laboured 
 almost night and day during the winters of 1834 and 1835, 
 in a narrow dark opening in the earth, where a necessity 
 for standing in a bent position, has forced a habit upon 
 the poor miner he is unable to overcome. The walls of 
 the small coal seam are altogether composed of fossil trees 
 of enormous growth. In entering the dark chasm on the 
 west side of the brook, it reminded us of creeping into a 
 large raft of timber, having its interstices filled with coal. 
 Such as have any scruples respecting the vegetable origin 
 of coal, should visit this locality, where all the plants found 
 in the rocks, are partially converted into this useful com- 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 131 
 
 busiible. Some large reeds or calamiles, and numerous 
 trees, the growth of this world in a former state, have 
 only their cortical covering carbonized. In other instan- 
 ces the coal surrounds the plant, and is several inches in 
 thickness ; while in the centre of large masses, taken from 
 the workable part of the vein, longitudinal and furrowed 
 pieces of slaty clay stone are collected, representing most 
 perfectly, the pith of the plants to which they belonged. 
 These piths were placed too far from the carbonizing 
 power, and instead of being transformed into coal, were 
 by another process, made to bear the characters of the 
 surrounding shale. A number of solid evidences of the 
 conversion of wood into coal are now upon our shelves, 
 and furnish testimony not easily overcome, by such as 
 would defend opinions opposed to these facts. Whether 
 those plants liave been thus changed, by the medium of 
 water or heat, or whether both of those agents have been 
 in operation during tlieir curious transmutation, it is some- 
 what difficult to decide. Notwithstanding, that hypothe- 
 sis which admits heat to have been the object employed, 
 seems most preferable. 
 
 The practical value of the Onslow coal mine, is at 
 present of but little importance, and perhaps little is com- 
 paratively known of its extent. On the DeBurt and Chi- 
 ganois River, and at the Onslow coal mines, the effects 
 of running water are very plainly exhibited. At those 
 places the coal measures have been denuded from fifty to 
 two hundred feet, and deep channels formed a number of 
 miles in length through the solid rocks. These facts are 
 very manifest : the strata on each side of those rivers, and 
 on the brook of Onslow coal field, correspond exactly in 
 
every particular, and the most imperfect examinations 
 shew, that those deep notches through which the water 
 now passes, have been worn out since the rocks were 
 consolidated and placed in their present situation. They 
 also give an useful hint when a general view of the surface 
 is taken, furnishing indisputable evidence, that deep val- 
 leys in which rivers now pass, have been formed by the 
 steady action of the wateiy element. 
 
 About nine miles eastward of the Village of Truro, 
 and on the road to Pictou, the red sandstone meets and 
 overlies the coal measures. In passing along this road, a 
 change will be observed to take place in the colour and 
 quality of the soil. On tlie marly sandstone the soil is 
 red and light, over tlie coal measures it is grey and stub- 
 born. The situation of the former rock is known by low 
 and rounded eminences, while the latter constitutes nar- 
 row ridges of considerable altitude. From some of these 
 elevations a part of the Cobequid Chain may be seen, 
 covered with thick forests, and reaching towards Tatma- 
 gouch. They produce a gloom upon the mind, and 
 recall it to reflect upon those days when the whole Pro- 
 vince was a thick forest, inhabited only by the native 
 savage. 
 
 On the banks of the Salmon River, at the farm of 
 Mr. Archibald, tliere is an outcropping of carboniferous 
 limestone, and there ai-e indications of coal near his 
 house. A short distance from the limestone there is a 
 salt spring, that although it appears so near the coal se- 
 ries, evidently rises from a collection of salt in the red 
 marl group placed above it. The limestone is black, and 
 as far as we have examined it contains no organic remains. 
 

 COAL FORMATION. |33 
 
 Fiolu Salmon River Bridge towards the West River of 
 Pictou, but a small quantity of diluvium was seen, al- 
 though boulders of granite and blocks of porphyry are 
 common on the road side. From the bridge to Pictou, 
 the road passes over rocks connected with coal measures, 
 and it is curious to observe in rainy weather, how much 
 more muddy the turnpike becomes over the shale and 
 slate clay, than above the strata of coarse grey sandstone. 
 
 Having, during a visit to this part of the Province, 
 passed along the new road, and sides of several proud 
 elevations, an enquiry was made for the celebrated 
 “ Mount Thom” ; and not a little surprise was felt, when 
 it was discovered that this appellation was applied to all 
 the hills in tlie neighbourhood. Knowing that Germans 
 are fond of low and moist situations, we could not fail to 
 observe here the local feelings of the Highlanders, who 
 choose another extreme, and climb the summits of the 
 highest hills^hey can discover, when fixing their residence. 
 
 PICTOU. 
 
 On the north side of the west river of Pictou, and 
 not far from the Kempt Bridge, there is a vein of coal 
 about six inches wide. The rapid stream has worn away 
 the sandstone, and a perfect section of the rocks is pro- 
 duced. This coal is' accompanied with lignites, and im- 
 mense jointed reeds, which appear in great numbers 
 throughout this populous and extensive District. It has 
 been remarked, that at the eastern extremity of Nova 
 Scotia proper, the different classes of rocks succeed each 
 other in regular order, and all the secondary formations 
 
 
134 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 are deposited one upon or against the other, according to 
 the most perfect Geological arrangement. The granite of 
 the southern hills is succeeded by the slate of the Town- 
 ships of Egerton, Maxwelton, and Antigonish. fhen 
 comes the old red sandstone, seen at Fraser’s Brook. 
 The old mountain limestone appears at numerous situa- 
 tions. Upon this rock the coal measures rest, having 
 the new red or saliferous sandstone above them on the 
 surface. Here the regular succession of strata is so per- 
 fect, that the modern arrangement of the secondary 
 rocks is found to be correct by ocular demonstration. 
 
 The old red sandstone is coarse and granular ; its 
 colour varies from a dark red to a light grey. This for- 
 mation does not appear to be extensive, having only been 
 observed at two different localities in the vicinity of the 
 coal. 
 
 The old mountain or carboniferous limestone, out- 
 crops at numerous places, and occupies a considerable 
 space beneath the superficies of the country. It points 
 out most accurately, the margin of the great coal basin of 
 Pictou, so that its extent may be very accurately measured. 
 Beginning at Merigomish, it continues westward, crossing 
 the East, Middle, and West Rivers of Pictou, and fol- 
 lowing a curvilinear course, appears at Carriboo Harbour 
 and at Pictou Island. Thus the limestone underlieing the 
 coal of this District, encircles an area of more than a 
 hundred square miles. 
 
 On the banks of a rapid stream called McLellan’s 
 Brook, the limestone is cavernous, and numerous deep 
 interstices are left void between the amorphous masses of 
 rock. One of these openings forms the entrance to the 
 
COAL FORMATION, 
 
 135 
 
 “ cave.” This cave is about one hundred feel in length, 
 and on an average six feet wide. Its door is at the foot 
 of a hill, where by stooping the visitor may enter “ the 
 dark retreat. ” A small quantity of pure water runs along 
 the floor of the vault, and the rude masonry of the walls 
 is only equalled by the fearful projecting masses, ever 
 ready to fall from the roof above. Even this damp and 
 gloomy cavern had an inhabitant but a few years since. 
 An old gentleman of eccentric habits, tired of the busy 
 scenes above ground, removed downward among the rocks 
 where his friends were ever welcome to his scanty accom- 
 modations. He is now again removed ; not to the eartli, 
 for his residence was in it ; but to a narrower prison, from 
 whence he will not soon return. With the aid of a light, 
 we succeeded in procuring a few stalactites from a remote 
 corner of the “ cave” ; but the frequent visits of the lovers 
 of novelty, had removed most of the acicular masses from 
 its roof and walls. 
 
 The mountain limestone of Merigomish, contains 
 several species of fossil shells ; among them are ammon- 
 ites and terebratulites. Encrinites are common in the 
 calcareous rocks of Pictou Island, and the remains of ex- 
 tinct species of shell flsh, are common in the limestone 
 placed beneath the great coal basin of Pictou. 
 
 The coal measures of this District, consist of a series 
 oflayers or strata, composed of sands tone, clay iron stone, 
 shale, bituminous shale, and coal, alternating frequently 
 and indeflnitely, but not diflerent in any important parti- 
 cular from those strata, as they appear in coal measures 
 in general. Ten strata of coal have been penetrated at 
 the Albion Mines. They arc from one to three yaids m 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 137 
 
 gerou3, until effectual measures were taken to remove or 
 decompose it, and tlie mouth of the dismal pit could be 
 stopped. Here then is an instance of the cracking of 
 the solid earth, on which we walk without appreliension, 
 and scarcely believing the mighty revolutions nature has 
 unfolded to our senses. 
 
 A large dyke cuts off a portion of the coal field, 
 about two mdes nortli-east of the mines. There is also 
 an extensive fault reaching from Fraser’s Mountain, in 
 an east and west direction, to the distance of upwards of 
 twelve miles. The surface of the earth over this fault is 
 broken and uneven, and points out the course and boun- 
 daiy of the disturbance which has taken place beneath. 
 Other marks of the influence of powerful causes are man- 
 liest m this coal field ; but they are of less importance to 
 the ))ractical miner than those above mentioned. 
 
 Calamites, large cactites, the remains and impres- 
 sions of several ancient trees, have been procured in the 
 sandstone and shale of the colliery, and among the rocks 
 of this coal field ; but they are less common than similar 
 plants in the field of Cumberland and Onslow. In Pictou 
 all the antediluvian herbage seems to have been convert- 
 ed into coal, whereas at the above places only a part of 
 them have been thus changed, and therefore have left 
 
 perfect stony casts of their original stems and foliage. 
 
 About a mile northward of the town of Pictou, and on 
 the south bank of a large brook, good specimens of cala- 
 mites, and their leaves, were obtained. The impression 
 of a large cactus was also observed near the “ Mills.” 
 We were accompanied to this place by several scientific 
 
 gentlemen of the town, who kindly presented all the 
 
 18 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 138 
 
 fossils procured by them during the excursion ; nor were 
 we less pleased to observe, that a taste for literary and 
 scientific pursuits, is daily increasing in this valuable sec- 
 tion of the Province. Already the Pictou Academy, 
 under the talented management of Doctor McCulloc i 
 and his sons, has accumulated a number of mteresUng 
 Mineralogical and Geological specimens, and other ob- 
 jects of natural history. * , , i 
 
 The new red sandstone covers the Pictou coal field, 
 
 and skirts the coast towards the Gut of Canso. It is 
 also spread out over a considerable part of the County of 
 Cumberland, forming tlie surface of the lowest and most 
 level lands. At the base of a hill in the neighbourhood 
 of » Mount Thom,” and also a short distance from the 
 Kempt Bridge, it sends forth salt springs. At the latter 
 place salt was manufactured a few years ago by a compa- 
 ny formed in England, but as they were unsuccessful m 
 discovering the bed of salt, from whence the springs 
 flowed, the enterprise was abandoned. Perhaps then 
 object would have been gained, had they selected a spot 
 .here the coal strata were placed at a greater distance 
 from the saliferous sandstone ; for it is evident, tliat tne 
 rock is more superficial in the neighbourhood of coal, 
 than in situations more remote from the carbonifm-ous 
 strata ; and thick beds of clay often direct the water from 
 the mineral by which it may be impregnated. Salt 
 springs are very numerous in the eastern section of the 
 Province ; their number multiplied too rapidly m our 
 travels to allow a description of them all- It was never- 
 theless observed, that wherever they appear the gypsu. 
 declines, and where the gypsum is plenty, there is se - 
 dom any appearance of salt. 
 
'COAL FORMATION. 
 
 130 
 
 About eight miles north of tlie Town of Piclou, 
 and on the banks of the Carriboo River, (here is a bed 
 of copper ore. The strata at this place run in an east 
 and west direction, dipping to the northward at an angle 
 of about fifteen degrees. The copper ore occurs about 
 two miles from the mouth of the river, in strata of sand- 
 stone and conglomerate, which form steep banks on each 
 side of its winding channel. A remarkable circumstance 
 connected with this copper, is the great abundance of 
 lignites with which it is enveloped and intermixed. Large 
 tiees have been converted into coal, but still retain their 
 natural form and external appearance, and in some in- 
 stances the vegetable fibre of the wood, impressions of 
 the leaves, bark, and all those figures so common on the 
 surface of the living plant. Sometimes the whole tree 
 apjKjars to liave been transformed into lignite. In other 
 instances, only a partial change has been efiecled, and 
 the ancient herbage of a productive climate is now half 
 stone, and half coal. It is true that lignite and coal are 
 dissimilar in some particulars, notwithstanding it has 
 never been proved that both of those substances have 
 not been produced by similar causes. Among the lignites 
 good specimens of jet are common ; these are suscepti- 
 ble of a good polish, and equal in beauty to any brought 
 from Wittemburg, in Saxony, or from Whitby, in 
 England. 
 
 In breaking open masses of these once majestic 
 trees, now transmuted into jet and bituminous lignite, the 
 green carbonate of copper often appears, forming a 
 beautiful efflorescence in their delicate crevices. The 
 blue carbonate, and red oxide of coj)per, also appear oc- 
 
COAL - FORMATION. 
 
 140 
 
 casionally, both in the lignite, and sandstone embracing 
 the metal. The copper ore is deposited in narrow veins, 
 from one to four inches in thickness, and alternating with 
 the lignite and sandstone. The ore exhibits a variety of 
 appearances, from its admixture with the rock and car- 
 bonized wood. Compact masses of the specidc gravity 
 5.5, are identical with the fahlerz of the Germans, and 
 may properly be called grey copper ore. Its colour is 
 greyish black — fracture conchoidal — lustre metallic. By 
 exposure to tlie air, the surface becomes tarnished, and 
 renders its appearance unfavourable ; it is nevertheless 
 a rich ore, and very interesting, botli to the Geologist 
 and Miner. The politeness of Messrs. Ross and Prim- 
 rose, afforded us an opportunity of examining a quantity 
 of tliis ore, which had been collected and stored for 
 exportation. Among several varieties procured from this 
 collection, were pieces composed of the green carbonate 
 of copper, almost in a pure state. Copper ore has also 
 been discovered at Toney’s River, and the East and West 
 Rivers of Pictou, but in quantities too small to admit of 
 profitable mining. When the circumstances mider which 
 the above ore appears are considered, its association with 
 vegetable remains, its situation in secondary strata, it 
 can hardly be supposed that any very important quantity 
 of copper will ever be found near this place. It is among 
 the more ancient formations of granite, greywacke, and 
 slate, that more valuable deposits will be discovered. 
 While the small and occasional collections contained in 
 the coal series, are only indications of those rich stores 
 ihe country evidently contains. 
 
 The sandstone of the coal measures often contains 
 
COAL FOUMATION. 
 
 141 
 
 valuable beds of freestone, wliicb in the District of 
 Pictou supply materials for building, millstones and grind- 
 stones ; the latter are however much inferior to the blue 
 grits of Cumberland. 
 
 The red sandstone that has been represented as 
 covering tbe great coal basin of Pictou, is a more shal- 
 low deposit of that rock than that of other Counties. In 
 Pictou it is often associated wiUi beds of conglomerate, 
 which may be seen in almost every section of the eastern 
 division of Nova Scotia, while in King’s and Hants 
 Counties it is comparatively of rare occurrence. 
 
 From a small eminence a short distance eastward of 
 the Town of Pictou, long ridges of slate and grcywacko 
 may be seen rising southward of tlie coal boundary. In 
 a northerly direction, a part of the Cobequid Chain may 
 be observed, and although this district does not possess 
 the sublime scenery of the trap formations, it is never- 
 theless very pleasing from the highland villages spread 
 over the face of the country. 
 
 The shores of the harbour and rivers of Pictou, 
 abound in projecting masses of sandstone and conglome- 
 rate ; these towards the surface seem to pass insensibly 
 into a soft red sandstone, which from its ready disinte- 
 gration, yields a rich and fertile soil. The higher lands 
 slope gradually down to the sea, that 5s yearly extending 
 the limits of its confines, by wearing down the unresist- 
 ing rocks of the shore. Enclosed in long glades of in- 
 terval, the rivers of this district have their more elevated 
 borders ornamented with cultivated fields and rich 
 meadows : and no extraordinary discernment need be 
 exercised in discovering, that Pictou must be considered 
 a most important jiart of Nova Scotia. 
 
\i2 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 Four shafts arc now open into the great coal bed of 
 the Albion Mines, these being worked by steam engines, 
 raise an immense quantity of coal. At none of the mines 
 visited in England, was there seen so great a quantity of 
 that mineral ready for exportation by any comparison, as 
 was observed at those of Pictou. From the mouths of 
 the pits the coal is conveyed on a railroad to New Glas- 
 gow, where vessels of a hundred and fifty tons are load- 
 ed in a few hours. On the river below, an excellent 
 steamboat is constantly plying. On her passage down 
 the river, she is followed by a chain of large lighters, 
 deeply laden with the contents of the mine, to complete 
 the cargoes of the larger ships at the mouth of the East 
 River. On her voyage up the stream and over a distance 
 of four miles, tied to some lofty craft, she paddles her 
 winding course, thus performing a double office, and 
 completing that series of operations by which vessels are 
 now loaded at the port widi every facility. Under the 
 immediate direction of Mr. Smith, a gendemau of sci- 
 ence, and to whose politeness we are indebted for much 
 information, the whole of these operations are conduct- 
 ed, with credit to himself and the Mining Association. 
 
 At Pomket Harbour, a small vein of coal has been 
 discovered. It is only about eight mches wide, and dips 
 to the northward at a small angle. Pieces of coal and 
 the remains of vegetables, have also been found on the 
 North River of Antigonish, but no workable quantity has 
 yet been exposed. 
 
 Leaving the District of Pictou and all its natural 
 advantages, both in regard to soil and important miuerals, 
 the sandstone, clay iron stone, shale, and limestone, in 
 
COAL formation. 
 
 IkJ 
 
 indefinite alternations and qualities, form tlic whole coast 
 to the Bay de Verte. They were examined at Toney’s 
 River, Tatmagouch, Wallace, and Shenemicaq, and 
 were found having the new red or saliferous sandstone 
 superimposed. There are indications of coal at numer- 
 ous places along the coast, which abounds in vast quan- 
 tities of the best building-stone, and grindstone quarries 
 of as good materials as those of the Joggins, on the 
 Coast of Cumberland. Organic remains are also abun- 
 dant m the rocks, the limestone containing those of ma- 
 rine tribes, and the coal series myriads of fossil plants. 
 Among the latter are trees of great dimensions, but simi- 
 lar to those appearing on the Chignecto Bay and Cum- 
 berland Basin. But as all these belong to the same de- 
 posits, it will be unnecessary to enter into any details of 
 their characters, until we arrive at the Joggin shore, 
 where they appear in still greater perfection and beauty.’ 
 Numerous places in this part of the country have been 
 examined, and in'every instance the rocks appear to have 
 been deposited in one vast basin, which was once cover- 
 ed with a most luxuriant tropical herbage. Even the 
 common stones of the field partake of the character of 
 the more substantial strata. The impressions of reeds 
 and ferns, the cylindrical petrifactions of calamites, and 
 other culmiferous plants, which occupy all the rocks on 
 the northern side of the County of Cuipberland, show 
 that this great basin was at some former period covered 
 with primeval plants, under a climate similar to that of 
 the present tropics. 
 
144 . 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 CUMBERLAND. 
 
 Salt Springs are common in the new red sand- 
 stone along the coast of Northumberland Strait. At the 
 River Philip, a large quantity of salt was formerly manu- 
 factured, by evaporating the waters of a briny pool. One 
 of the springs at that place yields a larger quantity o 
 muriate of soda than almost any other in the country, 
 and would supply, under proper management, more salt 
 than would be required by the British North American 
 colonies ; nor can it be possible that the crystaline depo- 
 sit from which these waters flow, is beyond the reach of 
 the Miner’s skill. The infancy of the colony is a trite 
 apology for not entering into useful speculations, but it 
 seems impossible that any country can arrive at manhood, 
 when little pains are taken to develope its growth. 
 
 Leaving the Cohequid Chain, and proceeding to- 
 wards Amherst, in numerous situations the coarse sand- 
 stone of the coal measures is uncovered by the saliferous 
 rock, and conglomerate is seen upon the surface. These 
 circumstances are very obvious at the River Philip, Black 
 River, and on the roads leading to the eastern shore. 
 Collections of fine sand, beds of clay, and marly clay, 
 are common. Freestone of an excellent quality and of 
 various kinds, is abundant : some strata are soft and 
 yielding, and therefore are easily worked, the stone be- 
 coming gradually harder by being exposed to the heat of 
 the sun. The impressions of large reeds and other joint- 
 ed plants, are common in all the sandstones belonging to 
 the coal series of this part of the Province, although 
 they are less distinct and beautiful than at other places 
 where the rock is composed of finer materials. 
 
145 
 
 COAL formation. 
 
 Between Parrsborough and Cumberlany, a deep 
 notch in the Cobequid Chain, affords a passage for the 
 Partridge Island River, emptying southward into the Basin 
 of Mines and the River Hebert, opening into the Cum- 
 erland Basin. These Rivers meet at Half-way River, 
 where a small lake occupies a space between their sources. 
 The greywacke of the mountains, is here met by the 
 sandstones of the Cumberland coal basin, which are oc 
 casionally overlaid by the conglomerate, or new red sand- 
 stone. Near this lake, and at the inn of Alexander Ful- 
 lerton, there is a great collection of clay iron-stone, form- 
 mg a steep bank on the north side of the river. 
 
 From Maccan in an easterly direction towards the 
 iver Philip, a long belt of country is occupied by mem- 
 bers of the red marl group. In this group, and about six 
 miles from Furlong’s Bridge, another salt spring has been 
 discovered upon the same tract where that of the River 
 Philip breaks out. These springs are certain evidences 
 of immense quantities of salt, deposited beneath the rocks 
 of this part of Cumberland. No less than four springs, 
 highly impregnated, have been already discovered within 
 the circumference of a few miles, and every proof is thus 
 
 afforded, of the vast accumulations of that mineral some- 
 where near them. 
 
 At Spring Hill, an eminence five miles eastward of 
 Maccan River, an outcropping of coal was discovered 
 but a short time since. I„ the bottom of a small brook, 
 running through a wild forest of beech and maple, a poor 
 farmer has been digging coal, one of the greatest treasures 
 of the earth. As the pit he had excavated was full of 
 water during our visit to the^spot, it was impossible to 
 
1 
 
 obtain much information respecting the quantity and posi- 
 tion of the Maccan coal. It appears however, to dip to 
 the northward, and the largest vein is about ten feet wide. 
 The coal Is repcn-ted to be of a good quality, notwithstand- 
 ing the quantity of sand mixed with it, through the care- 
 lessness of the miner. Two other small veins appear, a 
 short distance farther south : these, and the ten feet layer, 
 are enclosed in strata of coarse sandstone, resembling that 
 rock as it appears at Pictou. The impression of a large 
 cactus, was the only relic of ancient vegetation observed, 
 and the rocks are so deeply covered with the rubbish of 
 the surface, that the visitor will return from the wilder- 
 ness disappointed »» the collection of fossils, and faUgued 
 by a journey over an uneven surface. 
 
 The distance between the Maccan coal at its out- 
 cropping, and the navigable part of the river, is a diffi- 
 culty few in tlie present day will be wiUing to contend 
 with, notwithstanding tlie country is very level, and a rail 
 road might be laid at a moderate expense, to meet the 
 river at a point from which either steamboats or small 
 craft might depart in safety. There are indications of 
 coal near Pugsley’s Inn, on the Maccan River ; and per- 
 haps this article of commerce may be obtained in a situa- 
 tion more favourable to its exportation. Quarries of sand- 
 stone are numerous between Maccan and Nepan. At the 
 latter place the coal measures are covered by the red marl 
 group, including limestone and gypsum. Collections of 
 red, yellow, and white sand, beds of plastic clay, an 
 small pebbles, often repose upon the rocks in this part of 
 Cumberland ; they are unfavourable to the production o 
 good soil, and frequently render the surface sterile. Turf 
 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 147 
 
 and peat bogs are common in such situations, and will sup- 
 ply that peculiar kind of fuel used by the lower classes in 
 Ireland. 
 
 NEPAN RIVER. 
 
 On the south side of Nepan River, there is an ex- 
 tensive formation of limestone, running in an east and 
 west direction. It crosses the Maccan and Hebert Riv- 
 ers, and extends eastwardly, to an unknown distance. 
 Several species of fossil shells, and other marine organic 
 remains, were discovered in the quarries a short distance 
 from Nepan Bridge. They belong to classes contained 
 in the magnesian limestone of Great Britain, and therefore 
 clearly shew, that this limestone is not the carboniferous 
 or old mountain, as has been supposed by Messrs. Smith 
 and Brown. The connection this limestone formation 
 holds with the new red sandstone and gypsum, at the above 
 place, is another circumstance not to be overlooked in 
 determining its relative age. It is curious to observe here 
 the number of pits and hollows, which contrasted with the 
 accompanying mounds, form a peculiar feature in calcar- 
 eous districts. Some of the shells, although imprisoned 
 and forming a part of the solid rock, where for many cen- 
 turies their inhabitants have ceased to exist, still appeal' 
 beautifully marked with the delicate stria of the bivalves. 
 Species of the encrinite, trilobate, &c., are the principal 
 inhabitants of the carboniferous limestone of the Province ; 
 but not one of these extinct animals are found in the lime- 
 stone referred to, and a more modern race of testaceous 
 animals have been its inhabitants. The shells contained 
 
148 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 in the limestone of Nepan, are far above the rocks of the 
 coal measures. They lie upon strata in which a great 
 vaiiety of plants have been buried. The layers of sand- 
 stone, occupying the fossil valley of the Joggins, are be- 
 neath the calcareous deposit ; a fact that none can deny 
 who will take the pains to examine. It is then evident, 
 that a large portion of this County, has been engulphed in 
 the ocean of a former state of the globe. It is also obvious 
 that It was covered by the sea after the growth of a luxu- 
 riant herbage, for perfect stony casts of the original trees 
 still remain, and even leaves are preserved. Wherefore, 
 although these phenomena may confound tlie tyro in Ge- 
 ology, it is plain tliat the fossil valley has been submersed, 
 and during its submarine visit tlie limestone and shells were 
 deposited upon its surface, where they still remain. But 
 the great valley of fossil trees has returned from beneath 
 the waters of tlie sea, and Is now dry earth. The raolus- 
 cous animals of the limestone, have in their turn been ex- 
 iled from their native element. These are facts requiring 
 no ingenious arguments to establish their belief ; but of 
 the nature of the revolutions which produced these re- 
 markable changes, we are compelled to acknowledge oui 
 ignorance. On the surface of the limestone, the detritus 
 of the deluge forms a distinct covering ; and according to 
 the opinion of some Geologists, should not be considered 
 in any way connected with the changes which have taken 
 place in the strata beneatli. But we would remark, that 
 although the beds of rounded pebbles and sand, clearly 
 demonstrate the effects of a flood, they can have no re- 
 ference to the great Geological catastrophe which ushered 
 in that awful event. The depression ot whole continents. 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 149 
 
 tile raising of the ocean’s level bed, the distortion of strata 
 previously horizontal, the elevation of mountains, and all 
 those violent operations, whereby the whole surface of 
 this planet has been rent asunder, might have been the 
 prelude to tliat overwhelming deluge, while the diluvial 
 debris resulted from tlie action of torrents, after die crust 
 of die globe had been thus broken up. , 
 
 On the north side of Nepan River, gypsum is 
 abundant. It also appears in other parts of the county, 
 but in the same manner, and of the same quality of the 
 plaister in other parts of the country. The sandstones 6f 
 the coal measures, with their red marly coverings, con- 
 tinue into the Province of New Brunswick, where they 
 are met by the high lands of Shepody Mountains. The 
 great collection of alluvium on the rivers of Cumberland, 
 has enriched its industrious inhabitants. A number of 
 beaudful and extensive views are presented to the eye, 
 from spots where the neat villages of the sister Province 
 are seen in the distance, and the cultivated fields and 
 green marshes of Amherst are spread out over the pleasing 
 landscape. But the visitor longs for a hill in this low and 
 level district ^for some proud eminence where the eye 
 can wander over this interesting pordon of the country. 
 
 The extensive alluvial deposits, forming wide bor- 
 ders on the rivers of Cumberland, have been principally 
 derived from die broken down sandstone and shale of the 
 coal measures. Every succeeding tide brings iu treasures 
 of fine particles, until creeks are filled up, and the rivers 
 confined to narrow limits. So rapid and great has this 
 collection been, that even miles from the sea trees have 
 been dug uji, having been covered a number of feet by 
 
150 
 
 COAL FOUMATION. 
 
 the detritus from Cumberland Basiu. This diluvium 
 yields a soil inferior to that formed at Windsor, Horton, 
 and Cornwallis. This circumstance arises from the more 
 fertile qualities of the debris made from the red marly 
 sandstone in the Basin of Mines, than can be derived from 
 the decomposed sandstone, or blue grits of Cumberland. 
 
 RIVER HEBERT. 
 
 At Minudie, near the entrance of the River Hebert, 
 and a short distance from the store of Mr. Simmonds, a 
 small vein of copper ore, half an inch wide, appears in 
 the red sandstone, on the margin of the river. Several 
 pits were dug by a Mr. Backwell, a gentleman employed 
 by the Mining Association some years ago, in order to 
 discover a profitable quantity of this metal. It is almost 
 unnecessary to state, that his digging was unsuccessful, as 
 it always will be, when conducted without some know- 
 ledge of the strata excavated ; for it is almost impossible 
 that any considerable quantity of copper should be found 
 in the marly covering of the Cumberland coal field, not- 
 withstanding several veins in the sandstone, at the locality 
 referred to, are coloured green by the carbonate of that 
 metal mixed in them. 
 
 The sandstones of the Joggins coal basin, cross the 
 river in an easterly direction, and are identical in thick- 
 ness and quality, to those appearing westward on the coast 
 of Chignecto Bay. Several valuable grindstone quarries 
 have been opened on the banks of the river, and yield 
 their proprietors most liberal profits. One of the veins 
 of coal of this basin has been discovered where it crosses 
 
COAL formation. 
 
 151 
 
 the Hebert near the bridge.' At this place it has been 
 opened, and a small quantity mined to supply blacksmiths 
 in the neighbourhood, and the inhabitants of the Village 
 of Amherst. 
 
 SOUTH JOGGINS. 
 
 The coal basin of the Joggins not only extends 
 eastward from the shore of Chignecto, to a distance al- 
 most unknown, but also being placed beneath the Bay, 
 reaches into tlie Province of New Brunswick, including 
 in its dimensions Cape Mereguin, Grindstone Island, 
 North Joggins, and the lower lands at the base of Shep- 
 ody Mountains. The strata of sandstone and shale, on 
 each side of Chignecto Bay, are perfectly alike, containing 
 the same fossils, having the same dip, direction, &c., 
 and so perfectly correspond, that no doubt can remain in 
 the mind that they belong to one and the same formation, 
 were produced by the same causes, and have undergone 
 the same changes and revolutions, alike singular and ex- 
 traordinary. 
 
 The broad and deep opening of Cumberland Bay, 
 the estuary called Cumberland Basin, and the channels of 
 the several rivers emptying into them, and which are widely 
 blocked up with collections of alluvium, have .been worn 
 out, excavated and formed, long since the Joggins coal 
 basin was constructed and filled. 
 
 There must have been a period when this basin was 
 perfect, when the site now occupied by Chignecto Bay, 
 Cumberland Basin and its rivers, was far above the level 
 of the present ocean, when the dry land was spread out 
 
152 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 from Apple River to Cape Carnage. But how is the 
 landscape changed ; the site of the Bay, once covered 
 with lofty trees, is now often studded with the white sails 
 of coasters, its waters are inhabited with numerous kinds 
 of fish, and dash upon the shores they have formed for 
 themselves, with unremitting violence. The action of 
 running water has here produced two veiy contrary ef- 
 fects : first, it has worn down^ and carried away by its 
 erosive force, the materials which formerly filled the bays, 
 basins, and estuaries of the country ; and as those chan- 
 nels became widened and more expanded, as tlie waters 
 tliemselves obtained a more easy exit, so they have 
 brought back the debris they had produced, and deposited 
 it along the sides of broad channels, required at some 
 former period to allow their escape. The fragments car- 
 ried downward by the torrents of rivers, have again been 
 restored by the influx of the sea, which still continues 
 yearly to increase alluvial collections, by bringing up the 
 rocks disintegrated by its steady influence. Such are some 
 of the changes produced by water in motion, and such are 
 the efiects obvious in many parts of Nova Scotia. These 
 effects are by no means to be confounded with those pro- 
 duced at an earlier period in the earth’s history ; they be- 
 long to the present period, and may be viewed wherever 
 the eye is directed. 
 
 The coal measures having thus been most extensively 
 denuded, have their strata almost yearly broken up by the 
 turbulent sea and the frost, and now present a beautiful 
 section of their several layers, extending from Minudie 
 to Cape Chignecto, a distance of nearly thirty miles. 
 These effects are greatly augmented by the rapidity and 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 153 
 
 height of tlie tide, which rises about fifty feet at its ordi- 
 nary influx. The coast from the South Joggins to Apple 
 River, is generally low, meeting the sea with a perpen- 
 dicular cliff, averaging from fifty to an hundred feet high, 
 and skirted at low water with a beach composed of broken 
 sandstone and fossil trees, tlirough which the inclining 
 strata often project in dangerous reefs and shoals. 
 
 From the South Joggins to the above river, this 
 shore is almost uninhabited ; notwithstanding, a great num- 
 ber of men are employed in quarrying grindstones at Rag- 
 ged Reef during the summer season. They retreat on the 
 approach of winter, as the soil offers few inducements for 
 the clearing of fai-ms. 
 
 Between the Bank Quarry at the South Joggins, and 
 Ragged Reef, there are eight veins of coal, included in 
 a distance of about six furlongs, and averaging from six 
 inches to three feet and a half in thickness. The strata 
 of sandstone, shale, and coal, dip to the southward, at an 
 angle of thirty-five degrees, and are perfectly exposed, 
 from the top of the cliff until they disappear beneath the 
 sea. The strata are extremely regular, parallel and equal, 
 affording a section of a coal basin, not surpassed by any 
 in the world, while the sloping layers of the rock, and ser- 
 pentine waving of the cliff, render the scenery extremely 
 interesting. Several of these veins of coal could be pro- 
 fitably worked, and will produce good bituminous fuel. 
 At tlie ‘‘ King’s Vein,” (so called from having been ex- 
 cavated by some soldiers formerly stationed at Fort Cum- 
 berland,) we found three Cornish miners, who had made an 
 opening in the side of the precipice, and were supporting 
 
 themselves and their families by their original occupation. 
 
 20 
 
COAL FOnMATION. 
 
 164 
 
 When the quality of the Cumberland coal is considered, and 
 its geographical situation properly viewed, it is remarkable 
 that those who claim an extraordinary right to the Mines 
 and Minerals of Nova Scotia, should neglect a situation 
 offering so many advantages. Almost all tlie coal raised 
 from the mines at Pictou and Sydney, is transported to 
 the United States, where its demand is steadily increasing. 
 But vessels loading at those places, must almost circum- 
 navigate the Province, before they can obtain their car- 
 goes. On the other hand, if they were supplied at Cum- 
 berland, the length of the voyage would be greatly dim- 
 inished, and consequently the coal would command a 
 higher price at the pit’s mouth. It is however very pro^ 
 bable, that the Mining Association having expended large 
 sums of money at the coal mines of the eastern parts of 
 the Province, would rather discourage the coal trade from 
 Cumberland, than abandon their former labours. And 
 while competition is prevented, and the inhabitants of 
 Nova Scotia are only permitted to gaze upon the treasures 
 of their country, without being permitted even, to dig a 
 bushel of coals from beneath the soil, so long in all pro - 
 bability will the mines of Cumberland remain closed, al- 
 though steamboats propelled by fuel brought from England, 
 shall almost daily pass over their strata. 
 
 Having briefly adverted to the coal of Cumberland, 
 we proceed to the consideration of strata yielding great 
 profits to their proprietors, and of the greatest importance 
 to the country. Among the various kinds of sandstone 
 belonging to the carboniferous deposit, there are numer- 
 ous strata of that peculiar kind used for grindstones, and 
 of a quality superior to any other ever discovered. These 
 
COA I 
 
 sandstones are composed of minute grains of quartz, some- 
 times transparent and colourless, but more frequently 
 stained red, green, blue and brown, united by an argilla- 
 c^us cement. These grains of quartz, sometimes mixed 
 with particles of mica, and feldspar, form a compact rock, 
 capable of being split into tabular masses of large dimen- 
 sions. Sometimes by the presence of a little of the ox- 
 ide of iron, the rock has a tinge of a blue colour ; from 
 strata of this kind the ‘‘blue grits” are derived. From 
 the most compact and finer kinds of these varieties, the 
 grindstones are made, and already form an article of com- 
 merce, of much greater importance than is generally con- 
 sidered. At the Bank Quarry, owned by Mr. Simmonds, 
 a very industrious individual, the gravel and upper stratum 
 is first removed, then the rock beneath is broken into 
 large masses by blasts of gunpowder. After having been 
 split into pieces of smaller dimensions, with iron wedges, 
 it is conveyed to the stonecutters, who with a pair of 
 compasses describe the circle, and with amazing facility 
 cut the eye, and complete the whole process in a shorter 
 space of time than would be required to form a piece of 
 wood of similar size into the figure of a grindstone. One 
 man will cut fifteen and even twenty of the common grind- 
 stones in a day, after the rock has been quarried properly 
 and placed at his hand. The smaller grindstones are most 
 valuable, and those of the quarry just mentioned, are pre- 
 ferred by purchasers in the United States to any other. 
 The value of a finished stone at the quarry, is from two 
 shillings and sixpence to three shillings ; hence it is easy 
 to perceive the great profit arising from this source, as 
 they are often sold in that country as high as ten shilling! 
 
156 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 per stone. Much larger grindstones are quarried and 
 floated between large boats, from the reefs covered by the 
 tide at high water ; some of these are six feet in diameter, 
 and twelve inches thick. They are used by the Ameri- 
 cans in grinding and polishing the metals. 
 
 Grindstones are also quarried at Ragged Reef, and 
 other places along the coast. On the opposite shore there 
 are several excellent quarries, so that New Brunswick 
 also, can supply a most useful article in almost all manu- 
 factories. So raie and valuable are these rocks, that they 
 are now largely exported to Boston and other American 
 ports, and from thence have been reshipped to different 
 nations in Europe. It is to be regretted that any of these 
 quarries should ever become the subjects of monopoly. 
 His Excellency Sir Colin Campbell, with his usual inte- 
 rest in the welfare of the Province, is however, endea- 
 vouring to secure to the country such as are yet ungranted, 
 and those rights the Crown has reserved in former gifts. 
 Some idea of the value of Nova Scotia as a Mining Dis- 
 trict, might be formed from a knowledge of the fact, that 
 the inhabitants of the Northern States find it advantageous 
 to procure coal from this Province ; and as steam naviga- 
 tion and rail-road enterprise increase, so must the demand 
 for our fuel be raised. Also in proportion as their popu- 
 lation, trade and manufactories multiply, so will the de- 
 mand for our coal, grindstones and gypsum, expand. Ne- 
 vertheless, if the monopolizing influence of our fellow 
 subjects, be allowed the power it has so long enjoyed, the 
 inhabitants of this country may weep over the folly or av- 
 arice of other men, but can never enjoy the coniinon 
 bounties granted to them by an impartial Providence. 
 
COAL FOnMATlON. 157 
 
 FOSSILS OF CUMBERLAND COAL BASIN. 
 
 Having thus briefly detailed circumstances intimately 
 linked with the practical importance of the County of 
 Cumberland, so far as they relate to Provincial and indi- 
 vidual wealth, we proceed to lay before the reader such 
 interesting facts as have been collected, and such as will 
 delight the Natural Philosopher, however elevated his at- 
 tainments may be in Uiese scientific enquiries. Often have 
 we gazed in astonishment upon the precipices of the Jog- 
 gins shore, and beheld the beach on which the broken 
 trunks and limbs of ancient trees are scattered in great 
 profusion — the place where the delicate herbage of a for- 
 mer world is now transmuted into stone. 
 
 The Cumberland coal field may justly be called a 
 vast fossil valley, where plants from the lowly iris, up to 
 tlie majestic palm, have been buried by some great and 
 sudden change on tlie surface of our planet. The area 
 included within the limits of this singular event, is by no 
 means narrow or confined to the petrifaction of a few lig- 
 nites : it reaches at least fifteen miles along die shore, and 
 more than twenty into the inteiior of the country. The 
 banks of rivers and creeks, the sides of ravines and cliffs, 
 have been examined, and the same fossils are every where 
 exposed, over several miles on the surface : and even 
 among the common rocks of the field, the remains and 
 impressions of antediluvian plants are yearly overturned 
 by the movements of the plough and hoe. These facts 
 should be remembered, as they plaiidy shew that no com- 
 mon causes could have produced effects so wide in their 
 operations, and powerful in their results. 
 
158 
 
 COAl- FORMATION. 
 
 Beuveen the Bank Quarry and the coal veins, there 
 are sections of two large fossil trees, standing perpendic- 
 ular by the side of the cliff, and penetrating the strata m 
 their way upwards : but as the precipice is constantly 
 yielding before the action of the elements, its strata have 
 fallen, and in their descent carried downwards large por 
 tions of these trees, which may now be seen among tie 
 
 r nf tVip shore The roots of the largest 
 numerous relics of the shore. x* 
 
 tree may be observed as they enter the rocks, and a sud 
 den swell is spread out at the base, reminding the visi or 
 !n.,”coeo,.nu. uee of ,1. Wes. Irfes. M,. B.ews.e,, 
 in the Edinburgh Phil. Trans, for 1821, has figured a stem 
 with roots, found at Niteshill. Count Sternburg has also 
 figured a magnificent specimen of this species o tree, 
 which is called Lepiododendron Jculatum : neither o 
 those specimens however, equal these of the South Jog- 
 gins in their size, for the tree to which we now refer, is 
 upwards of three feet and a half in diameter ; and although 
 only about fifteen feet of its stem remains, it must have 
 been more than a hundred feet high. Trunks and 
 branches of other plants, are abundant ; their stems are 
 frequently perpendicular in the rocks, except near the 
 coal veins, where they lie parallel to the strata, a fact of 
 considerable importance. 
 
 A few miles soutliward of the » King’s Vein,” we 
 discovered an immense fossil Lepiododendron .iculatum ; 
 the violence of the sea had removed the adjacent shale, 
 and sandstone, and the majestic plant remains erect, by 
 the side of a vertical cliff. This tree stands perpendicular, 
 passing through and crossing the strata, according to the 
 andc of their dip. Its roots are seen branching out, and 
 
COAL FORMATION, 
 
 159 
 
 penetrating Uie rock beneath. At the base it measures 
 two feet eleven inches, and forty feet of its trunk were 
 exposed at the time of our last visit to tlie spot. Sections 
 of a still larger growth may be seen along this unfrequented 
 shore, and pieces of smaller dimensions may be observed, 
 from fifty to an hundred feet up the embankment. 
 
 Frequently the bark of these trees is converted into 
 coal, constituting the true lignite ; in other instances the 
 bark, with the tree itself, is changed into compact sand- 
 stone. Great care should be taken in removing pieces of 
 the former, as sometimes a whole tree, having its cortical 
 portion carbonized, will slip through the bark, and come 
 headlong to the beach. In this way we were in danger 
 of being killed from the unexpected launch of a huge 
 fossil. 
 
 Since a recent visit to the Joggins, our agent in fos- 
 sil affairs, a sturdy miner, has informed us that a portion 
 of the cliff has lately fallen, and exposed another tree of 
 great size. But few days have elapsed since we found a 
 gigantic plant imbedded in the sandstone at low water 
 mark, opposite the Bank Quarry : it had been exposed 
 by blasting the rock for grindstones, and the miners suf- 
 fered some loss and disappointment, in consequence of 
 its passage through a profitable layer of stone. At this 
 place, a cactus^ beautifully figured on the surface, and 
 measuring fifteen feet in length, had been broken by the 
 workmen, and rolled off the reef. Such are some of the 
 ponderous fossils of this valley, to which months might be 
 devoted in collecting and describing the remains of a for- 
 mer world, and where more fossils of large dimensions, 
 more perfect in their preservation, and interesting in their 
 
IGO 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 ,»s.ur..s, occur pcchnps, .l«n in any oO.or part of the 
 world, so far as they have been discovered. 
 
 Some of the trees of this valley, seem to belong to 
 the palmaceous order, and to anomalous species, con- 
 necting the palm to coniferous tribes. Arundmaceous 
 plants are abundant ; among them are calamites, a generic 
 term used by Sternburg and Sclotheim. These are 
 minted stems, longitudinally striated : in some of these 
 fossils the joints are long, in others short ; frequently they 
 resemble bamboo very closely, and hence have been cal- 
 led bambusites, although Count Sternburg observes,— 
 
 “ elles se distinguent des bambousiers en ce que les divi- 
 sions n’ en sont point marquees par des noeuds saillans, 
 mais par des contures ; elles sont en outre rayees plus 
 distinctment.” 
 
 The variolanaof Sternburg are common ; they have 
 the depressed areola, with a rising in the middle having a 
 central speck; these are called variolate, from the sur- 
 face appearing as if covered with pits of the small pox. 
 Different species of tliis plant are easily procured. 1 he 
 variolana are almost always found between the layers o 
 sandstone and shale, considerably Hattened, and with a 
 longitudinal groove along their under side. Stemhauer 
 considered that tiiis groove represented the pith, which 
 was not so easily decomposed as the otlier woody parts of 
 the plant. With him we are unable to agree in this par- 
 ticular, for besides the longitudinal groove, so well des- 
 cribed by him, and appearing in numerous specimens, the 
 pith or heart of the plant is beautifully preserved, enclosed 
 in a tube running tlirough the fossil so clearly and natma y, 
 as to leave no doubt of its original nature. We placed a 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 161 
 
 specimen of ibis kind in the Mechanics’ Institute, at 
 Halifax, an establishment of much importance to tlie coun- 
 iry, and many large specimens with the pith entire, arc 
 now upon our shelves. 
 
 Another class of fossils common on this shore, is 
 easily recognised by their fluted appearance. The flutings 
 are farther apart than those of the calamites, and the plant 
 has no joints. This class is called Syringodendra, by 
 Sternburg. Several species have been found in the strata 
 of Cumberland ; among them is that called Palmilus Sul- 
 calus by Schlotheim. 
 
 Trunks and branches transversely striated — the Pky- 
 tolothus transversus of Steinhauer — sometimes appear \ 
 although they are more rare than the preceding plants. 
 Enormous cactites may be picked up among the broken 
 strata, near tlie coal veins. Large oval masses, resem- 
 bling the tliick fleshy stems of the tropical cactites, are 
 abundant , but it is diilicult to decide how far tliey are 
 represented by species now inhabiting the earth. 
 
 But besides the foregoing classes and their several 
 species, we have here a lofty and majestic fossil, lifting 
 its head far above the humbler plants. This giant of the 
 petrified forest, nearly resembles the palm tree of the tro- 
 pics ; it consists of a large straight trunk, without limbs, 
 except at its summit, where the leaf and branch were 
 united. The leaves resemble those of the living palm, 
 and must have been of great length, as some of them can 
 be traced continuously through the shaly rock, to the dis- 
 tance of forty feet. The cortical covering of these trees 
 has been converted into coal, which readily separates from 
 
 the trunk, leaving a smocuh surface. Several kinds of 
 
 21 
 
W2 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 leaves have been found, but in the present state of our 
 knowledge, and being unable to obtain the most recent 
 works on fossil flora, we find it difficult to decide to what 
 species they belonged. Conybeare and Philips have ob- 
 served, that one class of these impressions has been com- 
 pared by different authors to Hippuris equisetum, Asper- 
 ula, Galium, Rubia, Moluga, and Casnarina ; a list quite 
 sufficient to shew their entire uncertainty of the subject. 
 
 From what we have examined, more than one half 
 of the plants petrified in this great fossil valley , belong to 
 species resembling filices, (ferns.) One kind belongs to 
 the equisetacea, (horsetail.) There are reeds, canes, 
 conifera, (fir tribe,) Araucarian pines, tree ferns, cactites, 
 palms, and rush-like plants, twenty feet high. There 
 are leaves of the Sphenopteris trifoliata ; others are pec- 
 tinate, flabilliform, bissinate, and ensiform. The inten- 
 tion of this work will not allow an elaborate description of 
 the above fossil plants ; but from the foregoing facts some 
 general idea may be formed, how great the vegetative 
 power must have been during that peiiod, when then 
 branches and leaves overshadowed the antediluvian soil. 
 
 Doubtless there was a period in the history of this 
 terrestrial planet, when all these plants spread forth their 
 vigorous leaves ; when the lofty palm with its umbrageous 
 foliage, hovered over the leafy cactus ; when the jointed 
 and bending calamite, waved in the primoidal breeze, 
 casting its moving shadow upon the waters of some an 
 cient lake or basin. In the examination of these relics, 
 belonging to one of the kingdoms of living nature, the 
 mind is transported hack to an era for ever gone, and the 
 soul is aroused in its deepest recesses, by a faint ray o 
 
COAL FORMATIO.N. 
 
 163 
 
 light, seeming to issue from the primeval world. But iu 
 vain will that world have perished ; in vain will its ponder- 
 ous relics, thus preserved for our ijistruction and admon- 
 ition, be unfolded to our senses, if tliey fail to awaken 
 their ociilate witnesses to a view of the beginning and end 
 of all sublunary things, and lead them to admire the great 
 Author of all terrestrial beings. 
 
 All the plants thus concisely noticed, and now con- 
 verted into solid stone, flourished in a climate as warm as 
 that of the present tropics ; every fact connected with 
 their classes, structure, foliage and size, demonstrates 
 that they are natives of a moist soil and heated atmos- 
 phere. Descending among these enormous fossil vege- 
 tables, the mind is immediately arrested with their simi- 
 larity to living plants now growing in South America and 
 the West India Islands. The botanist may search in vain 
 for their successors in these northern latitudes : none of 
 their analogies are now growing in this frigid region. 
 Since their mighty vegetation cov ered the earth, since 
 their delicate leaves and blossoms had been expanded, 
 their vast sources of multiplication unlocked, and their 
 odoriferous exhalations emitted in a benign atmosphere, 
 the climate has been changed, and they have been sealed 
 up in tlie dark cemeteries of the dead. And although our 
 name may perchance be enrolled among those who are 
 called catastrophists, and do not allow enough latitude for 
 the operations now going forward upon the earth ; we 
 know that some vast change has taken place in the cli- 
 mate, some mighty revolution in the rocks has been ef- 
 fected ; and moreover we are compelled to believe, that 
 tlie change has been as sudden as great, the disruption as 
 
164 . 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 powerful as it appears extraordinary. Let him who doubts 
 the correctness of these opinions, examine the herbage 
 upon the Joggins cliff; here the birch, maple ancT spruce, 
 in dwarfish thickets, with small creeping evergreens, man- 
 tle the earth. But if he descend among the strata beneath, 
 the majestic palm tree, the gigantic cactus, and several 
 species of succulent vegetables, are placed before him, 
 and the stony foliage of another climate, more mild, humid 
 and salubrious, lies buried in the earth beneath his feet. 
 
 In order to account for the great collection of tropmal 
 plants now found in northern latitudes, some Geologists 
 have informed us, that they drifted tliere during the Noa- 
 chian deluge. But is it possible that delicate branches 
 and leaves, should suffer a transportation of two thousand 
 miles, and even much more, be exposed to a powerful 
 current, the agitations of the ocean, the chemical action 
 of the saline fluid, and stiU be preserved in all their orig- 
 inal beauty ? Could the fossil flora and tender pericarps, 
 endure a voyage so hazardous to their structure ? Most 
 certainly not. Others have supposed that the poles of 
 the earth have been changed, whereby the ancient tropics 
 have been conveyed to the present poles, and the ancient 
 poles to the present tropics. These opinions must also 
 fall, and the idle theories they have introduced, be aban- 
 doned ; for the plants belonging to the coal fields are all 
 tropical, whether they be found in Greenland, or directly 
 under the Line. Therefore a warm climate must have 
 pervaded the whole universe during the coal period. But 
 without bringing before the reader all the evidence refuting 
 such opinions, let the matter be referred to the testimony 
 afl’orded on the coast of Chignecto Bay. Here immense 
 
 .1 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 105 
 
 fossil trees arc seen standing perpendicular, penetrating 
 the strata in their way upwards, and unafiected by the in- 
 clination of the several layers through which they pass. 
 Here also the roots of the plants are seen branching out- 
 wards, and entering the rocks beneath in the most natural 
 order. Therefore the best evidence is afforded, that they 
 flourished upon the spot where they arc now located, and 
 stand in the same situations as when their spreading boughs 
 afforded a cool retreat from the scorching rays of the sun. 
 
 We have already observed, that the great fossil val- 
 ley has been submersed beneath the waters of the ocean. 
 This is evident from the calcareous deposit placed above 
 it at River Hebert, Nepan, &c. This calcareous depo- 
 sit contains an abundance of marine shells, therefore all 
 doubt on the subject is removed. That the Cumberland 
 coal basin has been beneath the waters of a primeval 
 ocean, there can be no doubt ; round masses of quartz, 
 sandstone, and even porphyry, frequently appear in the 
 middle of its strata. Sometimes these bolls are trouble- 
 some to grindstone-cutters, who call them bull’s eyes.” 
 They are frequently as large as a four i)ound cannon shot, 
 and render the slabs where they are deposited, unfit for 
 use. 
 
 From the facts already described, perhaps the fol- 
 lowing theorem may be derived ; — that the Cumberland 
 coal field was at some very remote period covered with a 
 very luxuriant tropical herbage ; during the growth of 
 enormous plants upon its bosom, it was by some Geolo- 
 gical catastrophe buried beneath the waters of the ocean. 
 In this state of things, the sea would naturally convey and 
 deposit ujion it, layers ol sand and clay, uhimatcly form- 
 
 « 
 
1(3G 
 
 COAL FORMATION. 
 
 i„g strata of sandstone and shale. In those situations 
 where there was a hollow or a hill, those inatenals would 
 be carried over the summit of the latter, forming reguar 
 sloiiing strata down its side, leaving the trees m then 
 original upright position. In this way on X 
 count for their frequent upright posture ; for had the 
 strata containing the trees, been formed horizontally, the 
 fossils would cross them at right angles, however much 
 they might have been elevated by some^eruptive force 
 from beneath. This opinion seems to be supported by 
 the fact, that it is only in a few situations, -here the up- 
 right position of these enormous fossils is preserved , o 
 they he at different angles with the strata, and moie 
 fremiently between them. After the elapse of an unknown 
 period, after the basin was filled, the inhabitants o the sea 
 took up their residence upon its surface, the calcareous 
 rocks of Nepan were laid, and finally, through some vol- 
 canic agency, the limestone was elevated from the deep, 
 and the shore of the Joggins raised above the level o tie 
 present sea. The “ beds of coal were produced by vast 
 quantities of plants, carried down from the lane , an ac 
 cumulated at the bottom of the sea ; the numerous altey 
 nations, amounting to many hundreds sometimes, of san - 
 stone, shale, and beds of coal, proving a long period o 
 the process of deposition.” Admitting these opinions to 
 be correct, it is easy to account for the coa and fossi^, 
 now lying beneath the present sea, and the shells appear- 
 ins; so far above them. 
 
 Perhaps many would enquire at what time since t le 
 creation of this earth, did these mighty revokUioiis and 
 changes occur But although the science ol Geology is 
 
COAh FORMATION. 
 
 107 
 
 supplied wlih llie best evidence of certain events having 
 occurred, and of distant periods when by the fiat of the 
 Almighty, numerous classes of animals and plants were 
 called into existence, or were annihilated by His supreme 
 mandate, he is lost in his account of time, and cannot 
 discover the periods which have elapsed between one of 
 those epochs and another. And why need the human 
 mind revel in chaos, a thing incomprehensible, a^i inven- 
 tion of the Persian Magi ? Why endeavour to grasp mil- 
 lions of ages, while there is “ a sure word of prophecy^ 
 in which fools shall not err” ? ‘‘ Why should we claim 
 
 in behalf of our globe, a more ancient origin than that as- 
 signed by the inspired chronologist ? Will its rank, dig- 
 nity and importance, be enhanced by a remote geneology ? 
 Is this not a taint of the pride of ancestry, common to 
 the whole family of man ? But how can it be gratified ? 
 even lynx-eyed science can pierce no farther into the dark 
 veil of creation, than common vision ; her telescopic 
 glasses, which penetrate farthest into space, have no time 
 keeping power whatsoever.” Might not the Cumberland 
 coal field have been submersed during the time which 
 elapsed between the creation of the world and the deluge } 
 And might it not have been restored at that awful crisis, 
 when Noah and his family were floating in the ark ? We 
 think it might, and that tliere is enough contained in the 
 Scriptures to warrant this conclusion, however humbling 
 it may seem to the expanded views of some modern the- 
 orists. 
 
 From the vast collection of facts recorded, and ob- 
 servations made by the most distinguished philosophers of 
 the present day, it appears that the events which accom- 
 
COAL FORMATION. 
 
 1G8 
 
 panied the deluge, produced a great and sudden change 
 in the temperature of the terraqueous globe. The propor- 
 tion of the land to the water, of the antediluvian world, 
 was much greater than that of the present earth, and as 
 evaporation, a very cooling process, is now much in- 
 creased by the greater aqueous surface exposed to the 
 atmosphere, so the temperature of the caith must have 
 been gr«atly lowered, as the situations of primeval conti- 
 nents became occupied by postdiluvian seas. “ The 
 almost incredible number of bones of fossil elephants, 
 found in Northern Siberia, which betray no marks of 
 having been rolled from a distance, attest the existence 
 on its plains, of huge herbife'rous animals, at that distant 
 epoch. These demonstrate, that a vigorous vegetation 
 clothed countries now covered with frost a great part of 
 the year, where even in summer sterilizing cold, and hu- 
 midity perpetually reign, and where at present the rein- 
 deer can hardly pick up from beneath the snow its scanty 
 mouthful of moss.” Dr. Ure, of Glasgow, from whose 
 admirable work we have made the foregoing quotation, 
 has produced much testimony to prove that the changes 
 which accompanied the flood reduced the temperature of 
 the earth ; and the more we behold and consider of the 
 effects produced by that mighty catastrophe, tlie more we 
 are convinced that his reasoning is just. 
 
TRAP 
 
 Trap is a tcrin that has long been used in a very 
 general sense, and therefore much ambiguity and misun- 
 derstanding have arisen among Geologists, from tlie in- 
 definite meaning the word has conveyed. It is derived 
 from the Swedish Trappa, signifying a stair, or number 
 of steps. Hence it has been applied to rocks forming a 
 series of steps, by the gradual retreat of their different 
 layers. By this term we mean the trap rocks of the Wer- 
 nerians, the whinstones of Dr. Hutton, and the fioetz 
 traps of the school of Freyburg. 
 
 Trap Rocks include greenstone, basalt, amygdaloid, 
 and toadstone. Greenstone is composed of hornblende 
 and feldspar, differing extremely in the proportions of 
 those two minerals — sometimes assuming a homogeneous 
 aspect, but often presenting large crystals of hornblende. 
 Basalt is a homogeneous rock, generally containing black 
 oxide of iron. This rock is remarkable for the appearance 
 It often exhibits, of having been crystalized ; hence it 
 often composes lofty columns regular in their dimensions, 
 and bounded by plain sides and angles. Of this rock 
 Great Britain exhibits some of the finest specimens in the 
 world. Upon the coast of Antrim, in Ireland, both tlie 
 massive and columnar varieties are seen in all their native 
 beauty. The Giant’s Causeway is formed of this rock, 
 likewise the panorama of Staffa, and the celebrated Cave 
 of Fingal. The amygdaloid is named from die Latin 
 
 (amygdala,) an almond, and is remarkable for containing 
 
 22 ® 
 
 i' 
 
170 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 rounded vesicles or nodules, resembling that fruit. The 
 loadstone is distinguished by its resemblance to the back 
 of a toad. It is now generally believed, that tliis assem- 
 blage of rocks is of volcanic origin : of this there can be 
 no doubt, although no arguments will be produced to sup- 
 port that opinion, until the facts as they appear in the 
 Traj) rocks of NoVa Scotia, are considered ; when the 
 reader will be qualified to form an opinion, without the 
 bias of any theory previously introduced. Nor is it our 
 object to give a particular description of trap rocks in ge- 
 neral, but faithfully to delineate the situation and chaiacters 
 of those belonging to the Province. Such as wish a more 
 extended account of this remarkable class of solids, will 
 find all its qualities described in Ly ell’s principles of 
 Geology. 
 
 It has already been remarked, that the whole of the 
 North Mountains, extending from Brier Island to Blomi- 
 don, including the Five Islands, Two Islands, Isle Ilant, 
 and all the capes on the north side of the Bay of Fimdy, 
 are composed of trap, and rest upon the new red sand- 
 stone, throughout the whole of their formation. Some 
 might suppose it singular, that the basaltic rocks of N ov a 
 Scotia, which are hard, compact and solid, should be 
 placed upon the new red sandstone, a rock recent in re- 
 gard to its formation, and soft and yielding in its nature : 
 but similar phenomena appear at numerous places in Scot- 
 land ; at Regia, twenty-five miles north east of Mexico, 
 where the prisms of basalt repose on a layer of clay ; and 
 at Totonilca they are found resting upon compact chalk. 
 Some of these groups are elevated with the country around 
 them, six thousand feet above the level of the sea. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 171 
 
 Having made these remarks, we proceed to the ar- 
 duous task of describing the hornblende rocks, and the 
 numerous minerals contained in them. Having during 
 several past years visited different and extensive portions 
 on the coast of the Bay of Fundy, at all seasons of the 
 year, and under a great variety of circumstances, — having 
 always taken notes during each visit, it has appeared most 
 convenient to pursue a plan adopted in regard to the Slate 
 District, and to commence at the most westerly portion 
 of the Trap Formation, and continue our remarks upon 
 the interesting minerals it contains, to its termination upon 
 the shores of the Basin of Mines. 
 
 The Trap Rocks on the south side of the Bay of 
 Fundy, form a strong wall, extending from Digby to the 
 eastern shore of King’s County. This wall varies from 
 four miles to two miles in thickness ; it is narrow in the 
 Township of Granville, but preserves a very uniform 
 thickness in King’s County. It is cut through at the 
 Grand Passage, Petit Passage, and Digby Gut, and is 
 elevated upon an average about four hundred feet above 
 the level of the sea, and on its south side three hundred 
 feet above the sandstone upon which it is placed. 
 
 From whatever cause these rocks have been formed 
 in Nova Scotia, they are a distinct and separate class, 
 having no other connection w ith the secondary formations 
 of the country, than such as arise from their mechanical 
 position upon the sandstone. If the Trap Rocks were all 
 removed, the country now occupied by them would pre- 
 sent a surface quite level and uniform, and therefore they 
 now appear like mountains, superadded after the earlier 
 formations had been completed. 
 
172 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 BRIER ISLAND. 
 
 This Island forms the most westerly extremity of 
 the Trap Formation, and is separated from Long Island 
 by a narrow channel, through which the tides pass with 
 great rapidity. From that cause, and the exposed situa- 
 tion of its rocks to the open sea, it suffers much from the 
 destructive powers of the elements, and more than the 
 Islands in the Basin of Mines, or Mahone Bay, which 
 are somewhat sheltered from the violence of the waves. 
 On the south side of the Island, and near the entrance of 
 the channel from St. Mary’s Bay, the rocks have been 
 worn away, and beautiful cliffs of regular columnar basalt 
 are exposed to the ocean. The columns form long ranges 
 of pillars, like the steps of stairs, reaching from the sea 
 below to the precipice above, against which the waves 
 often dash with fury, breaking down the notched ridges 
 and pedestals forming its base. These pillars are in gen- 
 eral hexagonal, although some are enclosed by seven sides. 
 Their articulations occur at short intervals. This circum- 
 stance renders the rock more liable to be broken down, 
 than it would be were the columns of greater length. On 
 this side of the Island the basalts extend outwards beneath 
 the sea, forming a submarine causeway, called ‘‘ the Bar,” 
 over which the tide and waves rush with great force, foam- 
 ing and breaking over the impediment thus placed in their 
 way ; the sea sends forth hollow sounds like those of dis- 
 tant thunder, and in calm weather may be heard several 
 miles off. On tlie western side of the Island, and near 
 the lighthouse, the rocks attain a greater elevation, altho 
 their columnar arrangement is not so manifest. At low 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 173 
 
 water the red sandstone was seen cropping out beneath 
 the trap, llius confirming an opinion already advanced, 
 and supporting a fact of considerable importance. In 
 comparing specimens of basalt from Brier Island, with 
 those from the Island of Staffa, they were found very sim- 
 ilar, and no important feature was wanting, to identify the 
 rock of Nova Scotia with those of the celebrated Fingal’s 
 Cave. Between the layers of trap we found several nar- 
 row veins of jasper, and thin veins of the magnetic oxide 
 of iron. They are not however important when compared 
 with those minerals occurring at other places. 
 
 From the exposed situation of Brier Island to north- 
 ern gales and tliick fogs, the soil is unproductive ; but 
 what Nature has withheld in vegetation she has supplied 
 in fish, which are excellent in kind and quality, upon the 
 shores. We cannot forget an opportunity afforded for 
 sui'veying this Island in 1821 , although the circumstances 
 connected with our visit at that time w ere not of the most 
 pleasing kind. On the last of December of that year, on 
 our way to the West Indies, the vessel in which our lot 
 was cast, was overtaken by a violent gale of wind : she 
 soon became a perfect wreck — the crew frozen and ex- 
 hausted. Fortunately a change of wind drove the crazy 
 bark into the Grand Passage. There had been a caigo of 
 twenty horses upon the deck, but when we landed only 
 five remained, and they had been dragged ashore in the 
 turns of the cable, which had washed overboard, and so 
 encircled them as to prevent their escape. Nor should 
 the kindness of Charles Jones, Esquire, and his family, 
 be forgotten ; to them we feel greatly indebted, and the 
 marks of frost still remaining upon our low er extremities, 
 will not allow’ the circumstance to flee our meiiiory. 
 
 II 
 
 .4 
 
 
 r 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 r, 
 
174 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 long island. 
 
 On this Island the amygdaloid will be observed, pro- 
 jecting out beneath the almost perpendicular walls of ir- 
 regular greenstone. The cavities in the amygdaloid often 
 contain chlorite ; a few zeolites were observed at one 
 place only. In some situations these cavities are unoc- 
 cupied, and the rock possesses all the characters of the 
 vesicular amygdaloid. Sometimes the cavities present 
 small nodules, which when broken disclose green lamina 
 of chlorite, with delicate fibres proceeding from the cen- 
 tre to the circumference of its crystals. It has been said 
 that several large pieces of pure native copper, have been 
 taken from the rocks on the west side of Long Island ; 
 but none of that metal was discovered, during an ardent 
 examination of almost every crevice where it would be 
 most likely to occur. On the north side of the Island, 
 there are several veins of red jasper penetrating the green- 
 stone ; as these veins descend into the amygdaloid beneath, 
 they lose their compact and solid properties, and pass im- 
 mediately into a kind of clay-stone, of a soft and friable 
 nature. And it appears that this clay-stone has been con- 
 verted into jasper, by the greater heat to which it has been 
 exposed in the uppermost portions of the rock, while be- 
 low it has been insufficient to convert the clay into jasper 
 susceptible of a polish. 
 
 The trap composing this Island does not assume the 
 perfect basaltiform structure, so manifest at other places ; 
 although some beautifid views might be taken, where its 
 projecting cliffs appear ready to fall into the sea be- 
 neath. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 175 
 
 DIG BY NECK. 
 
 Digey Neck is separated from Long Island, by a 
 deep and narrow channel, called Petit Passage ; both 
 the flood and ebbing tide rushes through this opening, with 
 a rapidity almost sufticient to propel water wheels and 
 powerful machinery. Not far eastward of the Passage, 
 on the side of St. Mary’s Bay, a deep notch appears in 
 the solid trap, called Little River. At the cnUance of 
 this river, the rocks again assume a regular and beautiful 
 basaltiform structure. They form a lofty precipice, ap- 
 l)earing like a great number of square piles, driven down 
 to protect the coast from the undermining influence of the 
 sea. These columns are composed under four, five, se- 
 ven and nine sides. They are not strongly secured to 
 each other, and therefore are constantly falling to the base 
 of the precipice, where they resemble the ruins of frame 
 work. “ Sir Joseph Banks observes, that the bending 
 pillars of Staffa, differ considerably from those of the Gi- 
 ant’s Causeway. In Stafta they lie down on tlieir sides, 
 each forming the segment gf a circle, and in one place a 
 small mass of them very much resembles the ribs of a ship. 
 Those of the Giant’s Causeway which he saw, ran along 
 the face of a high cliff, bent strangely in the middle ; as 
 if at their first formation, they were unable while in a soft 
 state to support the mass of incumbent earth.” At seve- 
 ral places along the coast of the Trap District, has this 
 bent form of the basaltic pillars been observed, although 
 it is perhaps uncertain whether they have become crooked 
 from the above cause, or some other disturbance which 
 may have taken place during their cryslalization. 
 
17G 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 Between Little River and Sandy Cove, there are 
 several minerals appearing, both in the amygdaloid at the 
 base of the long precipice, and the superincumbent trap. 
 Among them is jasper, sometimes in veins a foot wide, 
 containing geodes of quartz. The quartz is often in beau- 
 tiful transparent crystals ; amethyst also appears, in vari- 
 ous shades of purple, and like the quartz in six-sided 
 prisms terminated by six-sided pyramids, the most com- 
 mon forms in which those minerals appear in the trap 
 rocks of Nova Scotia. The cavities in these geodes are 
 sometimes occupied by white rhombic crystals of chabasie. 
 In one instance we found crystals of quartz, amethyst, 
 and chabasie, curiously combined. Some very singular 
 specimens were obtained, composed of lamell® of quartz, 
 aiTanged in parallel and oblique plates, with cavities filled 
 with calcareous spar. • They have a peculiar variegated 
 appearance, and furnish a singular imitation of a certain 
 kind of porphyry. Red, yellow, and striped jasper, are 
 frequently seen sticking in the fissures of the rock in some 
 places ; tliese colours are curiously Intermixed, but every 
 variety is inferior, when occurring in the amygdaloid, im- 
 proving as it ascends into the greenstone placed above. 
 Many of these minerals are very beautiful when polished, 
 but in dieir present state they are of small value, only 
 making up a variety in the specimens afTorded by the 
 country. 
 
 SANDY COVE. 
 
 At this place there is a singular opening in the trap, 
 afibrding a safe and convenient little harbour for small craft. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 177 
 
 At its entrance the rocks form steep battlements on each 
 side of a narrow passage, seeming ready to fall upon such 
 as seek shelter between them, when St. Mary’s Bay is 
 disturbed by gales of wind. The trap is in large irregular 
 masses, separated by narrow fissures running in every di- 
 rection, giving its walls the appearance of cuboidal blocks, 
 mechanically piled upon each other. After passing through 
 the opening, the amygdaloid slopes gradually down to the 
 beach, forming an agreeable contrast with the bold scenery 
 in advance. The trap rocks at the entrance of the cove, 
 consist of the greenstone so well described by Jameson. 
 It is generally composed of hornblende and feldspar, in 
 a state of small granular particles, .sometimes in crystals. 
 At this locality the hornblende predominates, giving the 
 rock its peculiar greenish hue. 
 
 The amygdaloid is of a coarse kind, and contains 
 several beautiful and interesting minerals ; among them is 
 the Laumonile, found projecting from the serpentine veins 
 in the rock, and varying from an inch to a foot in width- 
 In order to obtain good specimens of this singular mineral, 
 it should be taken from situations not exposed to the wea- 
 ther, therefore a little previous digging and breaking, are 
 necessary before a selection is made. The veins contain 
 numerous cavities, where beautiful crystals project in clus- 
 ters of oblique-angled four-sided prisms, terminated by 
 slightly rhombic planes. They are transparent and col- 
 ourless, varying from half an inch to an inch in length. 
 Calcareous spar in obtuse rhomboids, is associated with 
 the laumonite, the latter forming the base, and lining the 
 sides of the fissures in which both occur. Upon each of 
 those minerals is often implanted delicate and sjilendent 
 
178 
 
 trap district. 
 
 crystals of specular oxide of iron, rendering the aggregate 
 extremely interesting, and plainly shewing the affinity each 
 atom had, for those similar in their natures, during the 
 process of crystalization. The specular oxide of iron is 
 sometimes collected in veins, which when broken contain 
 cavities where while semi-transparent crystals of chabasie, 
 are safely secured upon one of their rhombic planes. Ag- 
 ates, chalcedony, and crystals of quartz, are also found, 
 either occupying veins and cavities in the rock at this 
 place, or having been disengaged by the disintegration of 
 their beds, are scattered upon the shore. Among those 
 detached pieces a small nodule of semi-opal was discov- 
 ered. In one of the geodes occurring in the amygdaloid, 
 we also found a kind of needlestone, resembling speci- 
 mens from Iceland : this mineral appears however, at 
 other localities, in much greater perfection and beauty. 
 Should the reader be induced to pay this interesting place 
 a visit, for the purpose of obtaining minerals, he will find 
 that a strict examination of the rocks, and a little labour, 
 will be rewarded with specimens curiously associated, and 
 
 well adapted for the cabinet. 
 
 The specular oxide of iron, appears in considerable 
 veins a short distance eastward of Sandy Cove, and vies 
 in beauty with the best specimens brought from Cornwall, 
 or the Island of Elba. Upon the shore of St. Mary’s 
 Bay, it occurs in crystals slightly rhombic, its primitive 
 form ; also in plates and scales, similar to those found m 
 the fissures of lava, in volcanic districts. We could not 
 however discover, that any of these crystals possessed 
 polarity, a property common to those taken from the 
 neighbourhood of a crater. The specular oxide referred 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 179 
 
 to, is connected with the magnetic oxide of iron, seen in 
 narrow veins penetrating the amygdaloid, and often ap- 
 pearing in considerable masses upon the soil. Although 
 the specular and magnetic oxides of iron are valuable ores. 
 
 they do not occur in a sufficient quantity upon Digby 
 Neck, to admit of being profitably worked. The former 
 yields crystals beautifully tarnished with azure blue, re- 
 sembling tempered steel ; sometimes they are of a light 
 bronze colour, and irised. It is doubtless from the pre- 
 sence of these oxides of iron, that surveyors in running 
 lines upon this peninsula, find the magnetic needle so much 
 disturbed, and there can be no doubt that the magnetic 
 influence of these oxides, was received during the heat 
 which accompanied their formation ; nor should w’e omit 
 
 to mention in this place, the great similarity existing be- 
 tween the specular oxide of iron on the shore of St. Ma- 
 ry’s Bay, and that which is now found in the recent lava 
 of volcanic countries. These evidences of the origin of 
 the trap rocks of Nova Scotia, were noticed during the 
 examination of that class of rocks, where important testi- 
 mony is afforded in favour of the modern belief of their 
 igneous origin. It was before observed, that the Trap 
 District at Digby Neck, is much narrower than at Gran- 
 
 ville or Cornwallis ; and it is singular, that opposite to 
 Sandy Cove, and upon the shore of the Bay of Fundy, 
 this Formation should have a like indentation to that 
 already described, with a small lake placed between them, 
 so that another Island, similar to the one placed to the 
 westward, might have been formed with a less remarkable 
 occurrence, than it could be effected at any other place 
 along the coast. The existence of that lake might lead to 
 
 
180 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 some curious enquiries ; and from its situation and ap- 
 pearance, many theoretical propositions might be brought 
 forward. It has however a companion of similar features 
 and dimensions, a few miles farther eastward. Were these 
 openings, in which the fresh water is now collected, at 
 one time craters, giving vent to the melted lava, which 
 now remains in distinct layers upon the shores on each 
 side of their openings ? Did they give exit to the vari- 
 ous substances now found crystalized and filling the va- 
 cancies produced in the rocks by cooling ? It is evident 
 that without the aid of heat those splendid specimens 
 could not have become crystalized. Let such as would 
 answer tliese queries, examine carefully those lakes and 
 the surrounding rocks, and they will find sufficient evi- 
 dence to authorise such interrogatories. At the cove 
 opening into die Bay of Fundy, thick layers of amor- 
 phous trap dip at a low angle beneath the sea ; they are 
 similar to those at the inner Sandy Cove, and like them 
 contain some curious minerals. Large veins of imper- 
 fect jasper are here seen, forming ridges projecting from 
 the rocks. Pieces of hornstone and chalcedony were 
 also observed along the shore, wdiich we were unable to 
 examine to any great distance, on account of the approach- ^ 
 ing tide. 
 
 Along the shore extending from Sandy Cove to the 
 head of St. Mary’s Bay, where the trap and red sandstone 
 formations meet, there are numerous pieces of agate, jas- 
 per, chalcedony, amethyst, quartz, hornstone, calcai-eous 
 spar, and oxide of iron. The agates exhibit several sin- 
 gular varieties : among them is the fortification apte, 
 from its resemblance to the zigzag lines of fortifications. 
 
They are composed of alternate lines of transparent and 
 white chalcedony, jasper and quartz, curiously waved, 
 and often lined crosswise with rays : sometimes jasper, 
 amethyst, and chalcedony, are united in such a manner as 
 to form breccia and dotted agate. Many of these if col- 
 lected and polished, would equal in beauty any found in 
 other countries, where they have been sold at high prices 
 for ornamental purposes. These masses often form geodes 
 containing brilliant crystals of purple amethyst. Messrs. 
 Jackson and Alger, of Boston, found a geode of amethyst 
 on this shore, weighing upwards of forty pounds, and 
 coated externally with fortification agate. The jasper is 
 capable of bearing a good polish, and very compact.— 
 Among the chalcedony, we found that peculiar kind called 
 cat’s eye,” the quartz agathe chatoyant of Hauy ; when 
 polished it exhibits the remarkable appearance of the cat’s 
 eye, hence the French term chatoyant'^ has been applied. 
 The hornstone and calcareous spar present nothing remark- 
 able, and the specular oxide of iron is like dial already 
 noticed. 
 
 Not far to the westward of the junction of the trap 
 rocks and red sandstone, on the north side, and a few 
 miles from the head of St. Mary’s Bay, large irregular 
 blocks of red and yellowish red jasper, lie scattered at the 
 foot of the precipice, which in some places rises to con- 
 siderable height. Some of this jasper is very compact, 
 although many masses appear to have been Imperfectly 
 consolidated during the operation of the process, by which 
 the more perfect kinds have been rendered sufficiently 
 solid to admit of a good polish. Some fragments are cur- 
 iously striped with different colours, in others rounded 
 
182 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 pebbles of chalcedony are united by a siliceous cement, 
 forming a coarse and remarkable kind of agate. Were 
 large pieces of this breccia polished, it would afford an 
 agreeable imitation of mosaic pavement ; and it is quite 
 probable, that as a taste for the curious and refinement ad- 
 vance in the country, so these now misshapen masses, 
 may be removed to ornament the abodes of the wealthy 
 and eccentric. They would excel in beauty many ancient 
 porphyries, and perhaps equal those composing the busts 
 of Apollo and the Twelve Emperors, in the palace of the 
 Thuilleries. 
 
 Clusters of quartz crystals, frequently appear sus- 
 pended in cavities of the jasper, and in a few instances, 
 when the rock is broken, amethystine quartz, in delicate 
 prisms, may be seen lining its crevices. Several of the 
 minerals seem to have been promiscuously thrown toge- 
 ther, and cemented by a process in which heat had evi- 
 dently an extensive influence. Frequently the jasper 
 contains the red oxide of iron, which gives it the appear- 
 ance of wax. Almost all the minerals at some localities, 
 have their colours greatly diversified by the presence of 
 the sulphuret and carbonate of iron, that often form sin- 
 gular combinations with the siliceous and calcareous de- 
 posits. 
 
 From the outer Sandy Cove to Digby Gut, upon 
 the shore of the Bay of Fundy, the red sandstone was 
 seen at low water mark, shelving out beneath the amyg- 
 daloid resting upon it. The amygdaloid frequently 
 abounds in those hollow vesicles which characterize the 
 genuine species of that rock. These cavities are how- 
 ever, often occupied with zeolites, to be noticed here- 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 183 
 
 after. Upon the amygdaloid is placed tlie basaltic trap, 
 wliich in a few places shews its columnar structure, and 
 approximation to a crystaline form. 
 
 Rising from beneath the boundary of the highest 
 tides, the trap forms perpendicular precipices more than 
 two hundred feet high, and presents a majestic front, from 
 whose wavelike summit the waters of the rivulets above 
 fall in glittering spray upon the beach beneath. The 
 wearing effects of tlie sea upon the amygdaloid, has in 
 many places left rude pillars, overhanging the limited path 
 of the traveller, and seeming ready to fall upon him as he 
 climbs the rugged crag, or seeks his way among the mis- 
 shapen blocks upon the shore. Frequently tliousands of 
 tons break off from the cliff, and fall towards the sea, 
 covering the beach with broken masses, and leaving be- 
 tween them frightful arches and darkened chasms. Silent 
 and lonely we trod this unfrequented shore, and amidst 
 its picturesque scenery, the note of the screaming gull 
 and trumpeting loon, echoing from the gloomy cliffs, ad- 
 ded not a little to the wildness of its scenery. 
 
 Near Trout Cove there are agates having a base of 
 semi-transparent chalcedony, studded with irregular frag- 
 ments of jasper and hornstone ; sometimes the jasper is 
 curiously striped with zigzag lines of red carnelian, form- 
 ing a kind of agate not observed in other situations. 
 These agates occur in veins in the basaltic trap, varying 
 from half an inch to two inches wide. 
 
 Milky white chalcedony of a fine quality, and well 
 adapted for seals, rings, &c., also appears in narrow 
 veins along with the agates. A small piece of this chal- 
 cedony having been polished, is much admired, and the 
 
184 
 
 trap district. 
 
 pecdiar reflection of rays of light falling upon its surface, 
 perhaps affords a new variety of that mineral. 
 
 Eastward of Trout Cove there is a singular indenta- 
 tion in the coast, which appears to have been formed by 
 the soft and yielding nature of the trap rocks. Here the 
 affrighted mariner finds a shelter between massive columns 
 of greenstone, when the Bay is agitated by fierce winds ; 
 for Gulliver’s Hole is the only imitation of a harbour 
 along this part of the coast. Stilbite under several dif- 
 ferent modifications, occurs in the vertical fissures of the 
 rocks. On the sides of the fissures, this mineral appears 
 in horizontal leaves ; wherever a sufficient opening has 
 been allowed, the crystalization has been perfect, and 
 several secondary forms are exhibited. Among them is 
 the right rectangular prism, with a pyramidal summit. 
 Sometimes the prisms are compressed, and become six- 
 sided tables with bevelled edges. In other instances the 
 crystalizing process has been so much disturbed, that no 
 regular form has been assumed, and the mass resembles 
 ice. Pieces of each variety are readily obtained, and 
 shew the difference of form that mineral is capable of 
 bearing. On hot coals it exfoliates, and before the blow- 
 pipe it melts into a white enamel. In beauty it is much 
 inferior to specimens discovered at other localities, and 
 to be noticed hereafter. Between Gulliver’s Hole and 
 Digby Gut, considerable veins of the magnetic oxide of 
 iron are inserted in the rocks, but they are similar to 
 those already described ; and as they are unprofitable for 
 mining, will require little attention. Jasper, agate, 
 chalcedony, and other minerals, were also observed 
 being in detached pieces along the shore, as far eastward 
 as the Ingbthouse at the entrance of the Gut. 
 
trap district. 
 
 18.5 
 
 DIGBY GUT. 
 
 1 tt'o distinct interruptions in the continuity of the 
 I’rap Formations, have already been considered, namely, 
 Grand Passage and Petite Passage : another similar in its 
 appearance to those having formed Brier and Long Islands, 
 appears at Digby, and is called Digby Gut. The penin- 
 sula of Digby would also have been an Island, had not a 
 strong barrier or dyke been stretched across from the trap 
 rocks of the North Mountains to the slate of the Southern 
 hills. This barrier cuts off the eiil de sac of St. Mary’s 
 Bay, dividing it into two portions- The smaller portion 
 being terminated by Annapolis River, and the larger com- 
 municating directly with the sea. 
 
 After having considered the outer and inner Sandy 
 Coves, the deep indentation of Gulliver’s Hole, and also 
 the openings upon the surface now forming small lakes, it 
 appears obvious that the Trap District, in this portion of 
 its fixture, originally possessed several weak points. By 
 comparing all those weak points, it can scarcely be doubted 
 that the particular indentation which existed upon the spot 
 where the Digby Gut now enters the Bay of Fundy, was 
 capable of being converted into a channel, from a lesser 
 cause than could produce that effect at other situations 
 along the north side of the Annajjolis Basin. 
 
 Let us suppose that the trap rocks had been contin- 
 uous across the present Digby channel, and a notch or 
 cove, like that of “ Gulliver’s Hole,” formed on the 
 north side of the then united rocks : the Annapolis Basin 
 would then have been a lake, and the constant accumula- 
 tion of water from the surrounding mountains, would over- 
 
 24 
 
186 
 
 trap district. 
 
 flow part of Annapolis, the Township of Granville, W.l- 
 mot and Aylesford, until they formed a way for the.r es- 
 cape into the Basin of Mines. Then also, the pressure 
 of the waters at the narrow barrier of Digby, would have 
 been great, and quite sufTicient to force it and make then- 
 exit through the channel they had formed for themselves, 
 and still continue to occupy Now it is not probable that 
 the Annapolis River had an existence prior to the forma- 
 tion or elevation of the North Mountains, which are evi- 
 dently of later formation than the sandstone upon which 
 they rest. Prior to their elevation, the surplus waters of 
 the country might have been conveyed directly to the site 
 of the present Bay of Fundy, and the ancient channels 
 over which they passed, seem to remain even to this day. 
 After the formation of the North Mountains, a vast accu- 
 mulation of water must have been made over the great 
 valley of King’s and Annapolis Counties ; and the weak- 
 ened columns of the trap at Digby, having ofiered a more 
 feeble resistance to the pressure of the water m the valley 
 above, than the isthmus already mentioned, have been 
 forced, and their pillar-like masses thrown into the deeper 
 bottom of the Bay. Thus a channel has been formed, 
 through which the waters have pursued their course, and 
 continue to escape ever since. These opinions are sup- 
 ported by the rocks now lying at the entrance of the Gut 
 from its north side, where an immense submarine reef of 
 trap yet remains, and is placed in the same situation where 
 it might be expected if these opinions ai-e correct Over 
 this reef the sea continues to break with unremitting fury . 
 the pilot knows its bounds, and the hardy mariner shuns 
 the tide that sets upon it, but may not consider from what 
 source the impediment in his way has been derived. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 1S7 
 
 But it may be enquired at wliat period did these 
 events take place ? Did the collection of water between 
 the North and South Mountains, at the subsidence of the 
 deluge, burst through the passage alluded to ? Or, did 
 the volcanic furnaces, from whence the trap rocks flowed 
 in torrents of burning lava, suddenly block up the avenues 
 through which the waters of the great valley of King’s and 
 Annapolis escaped to the sea ? We know that whole 
 islands and mountains have been raised in a single night, 
 from such causes, but leave the reader to speculate upon 
 these phenomena, while we pursue a farther enquiry into 
 the most interesting class of rocks ever discovered upon 
 our shores. 
 
 From the sea, the strait at Digby, and the perpen- 
 dicular basaltic masses of the adjacent coast, present a 
 grand and striking scene. Crowned with the delightful 
 verdure of spring, we saw it in its best dress, and were 
 reminded of the creeping ivy, decorating the lofty battle- 
 ments of ancient castles. 
 
 NORTH SHORE OF GRANVILLE. 
 
 About six miles eastward of Digby Gut, our exam- 
 inations were again renewed. The whole of the coast is 
 composed of basaltic trap, resting upon amygdaloid. — 
 Here as at other places upon the shore, the red sandstone 
 in broad strata, was seen reaching outwards beneath the 
 amygdaloid, which succeeds it in almost every instance. 
 Not an opening of any kind, nor a projecting cape, offer 
 any shelter for vessels during the northern gale, and for 
 many iniles in extent, the perptmdicular and undermined 
 
188 
 
 TUAP UISTUICT. 
 
 rocks appear ready to dash themselves into the sea be- 
 neath. Every season masses of tottering pyramids make 
 an avalanche, and cover the beach with fragments, whicli 
 are again gradually broken up by the constant attrition of 
 the sea: hence sand is produced lining the shore, and fd- 
 ling the spaces between the angular, prismatic, and yet 
 unbroken stones. On this shore we observed the wreck 
 of a large vessel, partially buried by the falling of the rocks 
 from above. 
 
 Along this unfrequented and romantic shore, where 
 the traces of the Mineralogist are blotted out by each suc- 
 ceeding tide, and where few persons have any desire to 
 land unless to procure objects of science, there are seve- 
 ral minerals that would be carefully collected, were tliey 
 deposited in more eligible situations. Among tliem is a 
 peculiar kind of agate, which has apparently faUen from 
 the cliffs, towering several hundred feet in many places, 
 above the beach. This agate is composed of alternate 
 lines of chalcedony and red carnelian, sometimes separated 
 by narrow veins of cacholong. Sometimes they resemble 
 the figures of fortifications, but more frequently run m 
 waves around geodes of amethyst. J aspery iron ore, and 
 the magnetic oxide of iron, were found in amorphous 
 masses, among the broken and dislocated columns of the 
 trap. The ore of iron appears only in narrow veins, and 
 among the various specimens found, none were of much 
 practical value, being only useful in exhibiting the difier- 
 ent chemical combinations they have entered into, and 
 storing the cabinet with singular species of their com- 
 pounds. At one paiticular spot, the waters of a brook 
 came spouting through a narrow opening worn in the top 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 189 
 
 of the precipice, that still remains a hundred feel high ; 
 and long before tliey reach the platform below, they are 
 divided into drops, that formed a shower twenty yards 
 from the base of the rock they had escaped. This spark- 
 ling torrent, curving its downward way far above the tra- 
 veller’s head, presents fantastic images from the reflection 
 of the rays of light among its pearly atoms. No incon- 
 venience will be suffered beneath its rapid descent, except 
 the collection of the mist ii])on the visiters’ clothes, and 
 the great coolness produced by the steady evaporation of 
 the water. 
 
 CHUTES COVE. 
 
 At Chutes Cove, a shallow excavation in the traj) 
 affords anchorage to small craft, during the prevalence of 
 south winds. Like the places just described, elevated 
 cliffs are suspended over the affrighted mariner seeking a 
 shelter at their base. In the cove the rocks assume tlie 
 basaltic figure : their columns have been removed liy the 
 constant peltings of the waves, and the pebbles by their 
 constant attrition on the remaining blocks, have worn out 
 basin-shaped cavities. This eflbct has been produced by 
 the greater hardness of the sides than the ends of the 
 prisms, and the protection the lateral surfaces have re- 
 ceived from veins of quartz and jasper, insinuated between 
 them. Similar basins appear in the rocks at Partridge 
 Island, and other places in (his district. 
 
 Between Chutes and St. Croix Coves, there is a 
 vast collection of pieces of traj), that have fallen from the 
 clifls, and become rounded by being constantly rubbed 
 
190 
 
 trap district. 
 
 a<rainst each other. The surf often rolls upon them with 
 great force, and during the retreat of each wave or » un- 
 dertow,” the largest of these masses are moved, and a 
 heavy sea produces a peculiar cracking sound, by striking 
 the ponderous fragments one against another. At a dis- 
 tance they appear like a great collection of bomb-shells 
 placed side by side. Upon the surfaces of these giganuc 
 pebbles, there are small nodules of heliotrope ; these as 
 the rocks wear away, fall out, and may be found m the 
 sand beneath. The amygdaloid in some situations, con- 
 tains narrow veins of white chalcedony ; from odiers thin 
 plates of carnelian were extracted. 
 
 ST. CROIX COVE. 
 
 At St. Croix Cove, the majestic walls of trap, in- 
 cumbent on the amygdaloid, rise boldly from the sea. It 
 often affords subjects worthy of the artist’s pencil, an 
 poet’s pen. Large blocks of amorphous trap, he scattered 
 along the shore, giving the clearest demonstration of the 
 destruction ever going forward among the rocks upon t^iis 
 wild and unfrequented coast. The amygdaloid m diis 
 neighbourhood is peculiar, on account of its large caviUes. 
 Some of these are three inches wide, and more than a 
 foot long ; instead of presenting the usual oval opening, 
 they frequently seem as if their sides had been compressed 
 during the consolidation of the rocks where they occur. 
 These cavities are frequently occupied with zeolites, com- 
 posed of fascicular groups of delicate crystals, diverging 
 from a central point to the surface. In one instance per- 
 fect four-sided inisms, terminated by four-sided pyramids. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 191 
 
 were discovered ; these prisms are sometimes truncated 
 on their lateral edges. Some of the irregular shaped 
 cavities contain white delicate fibres, not unlike cotton 
 wool : this variety forms a jelly with the acids, and be- 
 comes electric by heat, like other kinds of zeolite. It 
 therefore only shows the numerous appearances that min- 
 eral exhibits, and the variety its crystals are capable of 
 forming. At another station the cavities are occupied 
 with beautiful crystals of heulandite ; and wherever suffi- 
 cient space has been allowed, the crystals are perfect. 
 The hexaedral prism with dihedral summits, and several 
 other modifications of the right oblique angled prism, its 
 primary form, often appear. Sometimes this mineral fills 
 the cavities in the rock so perfectly, that no indication of 
 a crystaline structure is manifest. 
 
 The occurrence of these cavities in trap rocks, is by 
 no means singular ; they appear in similar formations on 
 the Connecticut River, and have been well described by 
 Professor Hitchcock. They are also seen in the trap of 
 the Ferroe Islands, and at several other places. They 
 have been the subject of considerable enquiry, and various 
 are the opinions entertained respecting the manner of their 
 formation. Averaging from a hundred to two hundred 
 feet high, the basaltic trap reposing on amygdaloid, forms 
 an almost perpendicular wall, extending to the eastward, 
 until it is again excavated by a shallow opening about six 
 miles from St. Croix Cove. 
 
192 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 MARTIAL’S COVE. 
 
 This cove, and the coast penetrated by it, abounds 
 in minerals curiously associated and united. Zeolites of 
 different species fill the cavities in the amygdaloid. The 
 beulandite is found in veins frequently six inches wide, 
 and exhibits both in the form of its crystals and its colour, 
 several interesting specimens. Instead of the iron that so 
 often enters into the chemical composition of the minerals, 
 at other localities along this extensive shore, the green 
 carbonate of copper seems here to take its place, and will 
 be found attached to many of the singular combinations 
 from which the iron is altogether excluded. A narrow 
 vein of the carbonate of copper, was seen entering the 
 rock, but its quantity is too small, as far as it has yet been 
 exposed, to offer any profitable speculation in mining. 
 Small globular and stalactical pieces of pure native cop- 
 per, are sometimes observed attached to crystals of anal- 
 cime. The analcime appears in solids contained under 
 twenty -four trapezoidal faces, resembling one form of the 
 garnet. The carbonate of copper that enters into its com- 
 position, gives it a beautiful green tinge : in some speci- 
 mens however, the carbonate is absent, and its crystals 
 are transparent. The copper is veiy pure, and after hav- 
 ing been cut or scraped with a knife, exhibits a golden 
 metallic lustre. We have been prevented hitherto, from 
 making any extensive enquiries among the rocks whera 
 this metal is found, and remain in some degree ignorant m 
 what quantity it is deposited, and where the best pros- 
 pects are offered at Martial’s Cove, for more expensive 
 investigations : but it is far from being impossible, that a 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 193 
 
 more laborious undertaking might be rewarded with a more 
 important discovery of that mineral. 
 
 At Cape D’Or, on tlie north side of the Bay of 
 Fundy, native copper appears in a much greater quantity 
 than has hitherto been found upon the opposite coast. 
 There can be no doubt therefore, that this metal was 
 formed under similar circumstances at both of those pla- 
 ces : At both it appears in the amygdaloid, and although 
 its hliments are attached to a different gangue near Mar- 
 tial’s Cove, the absence of the analcime at Cape D’Or, 
 IS the only material difference noticed, and even this cir- 
 cumstance is to be considered accidental. Cape D’Or 
 is nearly in a north-east direction from this cove, hence 
 it appears that the same laws observed in regard to the 
 course of the slate and other’formations, have also been 
 in operation during the deposit of those substances, from 
 which the copper has been smelted ; whether that cause 
 was heat, or as some have strangely supposed, the weight 
 of particles falling downward in a solution, from which 
 the earth was supposed to have been formed. 
 
 At Martial’s Cove the copper is often in small glo- 
 bular concretions, the form it would appear in, had it 
 been melted at the time the analcime was passing into a 
 crystaline state. Again, it appears in delicate fibres, as 
 il elastic gases had been passing through the cavities 
 where the fibres are now suspended. In one specimen 
 we have drops of pure copper hanging on the ends of 
 small fibres of the same metal : these drops or shot, and 
 the fibres to which tliey are attached, were evidently once 
 in a melted state, and at the moment the drops of melted 
 copper were about to fall off, they became cooled. 'This 
 
# 
 
 194 . 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 » strong testimony in favour of the igneous origu, of 
 trap, and proves beyond all doubt that the copper con- 
 tained in it, bas been in a Buid condition through the 
 
 nf heat. 
 
 GATES’S PIER. 
 
 Rounded masses of water-worn trap cover the 
 beach at this locality. The inhabitants have found the 
 rough pavement extremely troublesome at the only spot 
 where they can launch their boats in the fishing season. 
 Every spring they are compeUed to tlirow and roll the 
 polished greenstone from the path, across winch pieces 
 of timber are secured, that their boats may be more 
 readily conveyed to the sea. Twice in every twenty 
 four hours this causeway is covered by the tide, whic 
 runs along the shore with great rapidity. A short distance 
 eastward of the common landing place, a mass of trap 
 extends outward towards the Bay. Here to the work of 
 nature is added the work of art, and a wharf or pier has 
 been erected at the expense of the Province. Ihus a 
 kind of shelter for small vessels is afforded during the 
 prevalence of certain winds. The harbour is very limit- 
 ed, and not a little ingenuity is required to bring small 
 craft into its narrow opening. We recollect of entering 
 this singular haven a few years ago, and before the 
 schooner could be “rounded to,” she ran headlong 
 against the perpendicular cliff in front, and drove the 
 bowsprit down the fore cuddy. Our skipper however, 
 soon put things “ to rights,” and treated the whole affair 
 as a common every day occurrence. The pier is never- 
 
ri)eless extremely useful upon a coast altogether deficient 
 of harbours. 
 
 PETER’S POINT. 
 
 An elevated and leaning precipice of basaltic trap, 
 at Peter’s Point, renders its scenery somewhat different 
 from that of the place just mentioned. Undermined by 
 the beating of the waves, the solid rocks hang in fright- 
 ful grandeur over their own ruins, the broken masses of 
 which lie scattered upon the beach beneath in great dis- 
 order. The boisterous bay torn up by the northern gale, 
 sends long and lofty billows thundering upon the rocks 
 trembling before them ; even the hungry raven seems 
 affrighted, and soaring high, his cries are lost among the 
 summits of the tottering basaltic walls. Among the fis- 
 sures of the amygdaloid, beautiful specimens of laumo- 
 nite often occur in regular crystals, wherever sufficient 
 space has been allowed between the walls where they 
 have been lodged. The more perfect crystals appear in 
 slightly oblique-angled four-sided prisms, terminated by 
 rhombic planes, often replaced on the acute solid angles 
 by triangular facets. The primary form is easily detect- 
 ed, as the secondary planes are but small. This mineral 
 is frequently embedded in beautiful rhombic crystals of 
 carbonate of lime, and in one instance, crystals of lau- 
 rnonite, calcareous spar, and quartz, were found united, 
 each having its own peculiar structure preserved. Some- 
 times the laumonite occurs in masses in which the crys- 
 talizing process has been disordered, and appears in la- 
 mina penetrated by small radiating fibres. By being ex- 
 
196 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 posed to tlie air the laumonite disintegrates ; its laniin® 
 separate and fall into small prismatic fragments, and finally 
 into a white powder. To prevent this, it should be im- 
 mersed an hour or two in a solution of gum-arabic, which 
 will defend it from the air and prevent its disintegration. 
 
 Apophylite in laminated masses, is frequently observ- 
 ed along this part of the coast, but in no situation are 
 their crystals more perfect than in the vicinity of Peter s 
 Point. Here its crystals are in right four-sided prisms, 
 with rectangular bases. Several secondary forms were 
 observed, and in some the primary solid is obscured by 
 deep truncations on the solid angles, leaving triangular 
 faces. This mineral has a glistening vitreous lustre, 
 sometimes pearly. Its specimens resemble those brought 
 from the Isle of Skye, where it also occurs in trap rocks. 
 Small pieces of hornstone and jasper, were also observed 
 among the detached fragments at the foot of tlie cliff. 
 
 Great changes are going forward upon this shore, 
 the rocks are almost daily falling, and as they become 
 broken up, and conveyed into the bay, others are drop- 
 ping from the precipice to endure the same process, by 
 which all seem destined to be removed. A remarkable 
 cavity, abounding in fine specimens of laumonite, in 
 1828, was buried during the succeeding season, by the • 
 downfall of the leaning clilF tJiat before stood over it. 
 
 FRENCH CROSS. 
 
 Between Peter’s Point and French Cross, the 
 perpendicular walls of trap often rise three hundred feet 
 above the level of the sea. At' low water, during the 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 197 
 
 highest spring tides, the sandstone was seen in smooUi 
 and level layers beneath the superincumbent amygdaloid. 
 The sandstone is seldom seen above the surface of the 
 sea, even at the lowest ebb, and it was only by taking 
 advantage of a calm day and the greatest retreat of the 
 water, that its situation was discovered. The amygda- 
 loid generally reaches from low to high water mark, al- 
 though sometimes it extends higher up the cliff before it 
 is succeeded by the greenstone. 
 
 Several instances were observed where the sand- 
 stone and amygdaloid are mixed, and pass by insensible 
 shades into each other. From this circumstance the lat- 
 ter is rendered so soft, that the constant washing of the 
 sea often wears out large cavities, and fofms singular 
 arches and chambers of the most grotesque figures. 
 Upon the walls of grottos thus formed, beautiful crystals 
 of calcareous spar, beulandile, and other minerals, are 
 implanted, or make up a splendent incrustation, easily re- 
 moved by the hand alone. Near the French Cross, the 
 amygdaloid is rendered quite red by its admixture with 
 the sandstone, and contains numerous zeolites. The 
 same rock as it approaches the basaltic trap, contains un- 
 occupied hollow vesicles, at once deciding the true 
 character of the amorphous masses where they appear : 
 lastly, the basaltiforra trap, rising in irregular columns, 
 crowns the whole with a vertical and often tottering cliff. 
 The laumonite appears here also, and fine specimens of 
 niesotype may be obtained from fissures in the rock. 
 Veins of jasper, quartz and chalcedony, penetrate the 
 basalt : in many places these veins are lined with crys- 
 tals of pearly heulandilc, not rivalled by any in the Brit- 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 199 
 
 wax negative electricity. Before the blowpipe it melts 
 into a brown scoria. The heulandite is of a flesh red 
 colour, and crystalized in right oblique angled prisms — 
 its primary form is seen in the lining of narrow veins in 
 the rocks. A variety of analcime, called by Thompson 
 sarcolite, was discovered upon the side of a fallen mass 
 of trap. This mineral presents the primary cube, having 
 each solid angle replaced by three planes gradually pass- 
 ing into a solid, under twenty-four trapezoidal faces. It 
 is of a flesh red colour, and in its chemical characters is 
 like the analcime with which it is found. In a narrow 
 opening in the amygdaloidal trap, beautiful specimens of 
 lauraonite were projecting, and ready to fall into the bas- 
 ket of the Mineralogist. Many of these are of a flesh red 
 colour, and therefore add to the variety afforded by that 
 mineral. 
 
 The columnar shape of the trap is manifest in many 
 situations ; in one instance perpendicular prismatic blocks, 
 with articulations several feet apart, rise from the amor- 
 phous variety below, exhibiting in great beauty the crysta- 
 line structure of the rocks themselves. At the season 
 this visit was made, the brooks had lost a part of their 
 contents, from the constant evaporation from their surfa- 
 ces, and therefore instead of pouring from the cliffs in 
 rapid cascades, the water trickled down the precipice, 
 or dashing from side to side of the narrow' gutter it had 
 prepared for itself, finally was lost among the pebbles of 
 the beach. 
 
 Between French Cross and Black Rock, the trap 
 rocks are often arranged in distinct and parallel strata, a 
 circumstance by no means common. The loudest strata. 
 
reposing upon Uie new red sandstone, varies from fifteen 
 to thirty feet in thickness. The layers of amygdaloid 
 succeeding it are different in colour, and often contain 
 zeolites. The superincumbent trap also shews the lines 
 distinctly which divide its masses. These seeming strata 
 dip at a small angle at some localities ; at others they are 
 (juite horizontal. In no way can the occurrence of those 
 strata be so easily accounted for, as by admitting that 
 they have been derived from volcanic sources, in the 
 way that masses of melted lava ejected from the craters 
 of Etna and Vesuvius, have succeeded each other. One 
 burning deluge overwhelms the country and cools, another 
 and another follows, each having a distinct line of sepa- 
 ration between them. The appearance of the hornblende 
 rocks in Nova Scotia, are almost sufficient of themselves 
 to decide the question of their igneous or volcanic origin, 
 in the absence of every other kind of testimony. 
 
 At Black Rock the shore becomes declivious, and 
 instead of lofty mural precipices fronting the Bay, a gen- 
 tle slope affords the inhabitants an easy communication 
 with the sea. At low-water-mark, an amorphous mass of 
 black trap, having supplied the village above it with a 
 name, is seen extending outwards from the shore, form- 
 ing a kind of harbour, until the waves of the rising tide 
 roll over its surface, and give the signal for vessels to 
 depart : and there is no opening along the coast w’here 
 they can take shelter, except such as have been artificially 
 erected. 
 
 Proceeding eastwardly along the shore, the eye is 
 again hailed by rustic battlements and masses of basalt, 
 projecting far above the heads of such as may venture an 
 
TRAP DISTRICT, 
 
 201 
 
 escalade over the rubbish beneath. The lieight of the 
 mountain rising thus abruptly from tlie sea, leaves its bold 
 front to face the north. • Hidden from the light, many 
 chasms and sea worn excavations, receive scarcely a soli- 
 tary ray of light, to be reflected among the crystals lining 
 their walls. Filtered through the rocks above, large 
 diopt, of water, cold as the ice itself, fall pattering on the 
 sparry pavement, searching their way back to the sea from 
 whence they came. 
 
 A few miles eastward of The R-ock^’’ several large 
 veins of calcareous spar separate the layers of amygdaloid. 
 The^ spar in many instances is of a rich straw yellow 
 colour, and crystalized in rhomboids, sometimes measur- 
 ing an inch across their oblique planes. This carbonate 
 of lime is more abundant in the rock as it approaches the 
 sandstone beneath, and declines altogether in the basaltic 
 trap above. Large masses of stilbite having been detached 
 from their native situations by the action of the elements, 
 lie among the debris of the shore. Some of these will 
 weigh more than a hundred pounds. Most frequently 
 these masses are crystalized in fasciculi, resembling fans, 
 or bundles of minute and delicate threads. When broken 
 they present a fibrous appearance, as described by the 
 excellent Mineralogist, Professor Cleveland. Pieces of 
 jasper, of various colours, and milky w’hite chalcedony, 
 are readily obtained. Betw’een two large blocks of amor- 
 phous trap, several beautiful agates were procured, and 
 among them the onyx agate ; but as it is inferior to speci- 
 mens of that mineral occurring at Blomidon, a description 
 of it is deferred, until w^e treat of that interesting locality. 
 
 Besides many of the minerals already noticed on pre- 
 26 
 
202 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 ceding pages, we accidentally discovered one hitherto not 
 found in Nova Scotia, as far as we are acquainted, and 
 its appearance was as unexpected as it was gratifying. 
 This mineral is called Phrenite : it occurs in small botry- 
 oidal masses, of which none were found larger than a hen’s 
 egg. It consists of very delicate crystals, radiating m all 
 directions from the centre to the circumference. A num- 
 ber of these small circular clusters are collected together, 
 each having its fibres proceeding from an adjusted centre 
 to the extremity of the group composed by them : Us 
 colour is pale green, supposed to arise from the green 
 carbonate of copper, also found near it. Before the blow- 
 pipe the phrenite intumesces, and melts into a spongy 
 black enamel. It does not form a jelly with acids, and 
 is therefore distinguished from zeolite. It appeared m 
 the amygdaloid, near the junction of that rock with the 
 super-imposed basaltic trap. This mineral received its 
 name from Governor Phren, who first brought it from the 
 Cape of Good Hope. It has since been discovered m 
 many other places, and finally in this Province. The lo- 
 cality of the phrenite was afterwards visited early m the 
 spring, but none of that interesting mineral could then be 
 obtained, as the rock where it was implanted had become 
 dilapidated, and was removed in our absence. The ice 
 still remained on the shore, and in those places where 
 brooks came pouring over the lofty escarpment of the cliff, 
 majestic columns of ice had accumulated, and the basaltes 
 of the trap were rivalled hy the fluted and contorted pil- 
 lars of water rendered solid, and clinging to the precipice 
 until lengthened days and warmer weather, should com- 
 pel them to relax their grasp and totter down. It is no 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 203 
 
 uncommon thing upon tliis coast in the months of March 
 and April, to see icicles attached to the leaning rocks, 
 lianging downwards a hundred and fifty feet in length ; in 
 one instance a hollow tube had been formed through a per- 
 pendicular mass of ice, through which the torrent poured 
 to the beach with wild unearthly sound.” These na- 
 tural curiosities may be seen at periods w'hen the south 
 side of the mountain is mantled in green, and while the 
 apple and cherry are putting forth their blossoms. Ad- 
 vancing along the shore towards Hall’s Harbour, the 
 pseudo-stratification of the rocks gradually declines, and 
 the trap is divided into prismatic and cuboidal masses. 
 In a few places only, was any thing like a columnar struc- 
 ture manifest, and where the architectural regularity of its 
 blocks could be fairly made out. At Huntington’s Point 
 there is another sloping descent towards the Bay, but it 
 is immediately succeeded on the east by a frightful and 
 lofty clifi'. 
 
 HALL’S HARBOUR. 
 
 This place received its name from a Captain Hall, 
 the commander of a small party of plundering vagabonds, 
 who for some time during the American revolution infested 
 Cornwallis. The fate of this unfortunate gang was truly 
 deplorable ; the active inhabitants of King’s County des- 
 troyed their boats, while the banditti after straggling in 
 the woods, shunning discoveiy, suffered every privation. 
 Many died, and few ever returned to their homes. 
 
 Hall’s Harbour is a small creek entering the rocks, 
 and affording a safe harbour for small craft at high water. 
 
204 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 Lately a pier has been erected at the entrance of the creek, 
 and the little haven is much improved ; therefore, from its 
 situation near a flourishing settlement, it will probable be- 
 come a place of considerable importance. Eastward of 
 this haibour there is a beautiful beach, and the rocks hav- 
 ing attained far less elevation on die adjacent shore than 
 at other situations, they are accessible by teams of horses 
 
 and oxen. About a mile eastward of the landing-place, 
 there is a notch in the trap rocks called Cranberry Cove. 
 It is only remarkable for the height of the precipice, and 
 the beautiful torrent rushing over its crest into the sea. 
 In noticing this place we are reminded of one of those 
 catastrophes common upon the coast. Sealed upon a 
 rock enjoying the remainder of a scanty lunch, and oc- 
 casionally sipping the best and purest beverage from the 
 brook rippling at our feet, suddenly the rocks trembled, 
 and a noise loud as thunder, directed the eye to the west- 
 ward, where a cloud of dust and smoke ascended upwards 
 from the beach, then half covered by the flowing tide. 
 An avalanche had taken place, and an immense mass of 
 trap which had stood a hundred and fifty feet high, had 
 
 r-illpn hfiafllonjr UDon 
 
 flifi honr-li and into the Ba\'. The 
 
 surface of tlie fallen rocks had occupied nearly an acre, 
 which was covered with large trees of birch and majde : 
 some of these were buried in the debris, the remainder 
 formed an immense raft that floated out to sea. Had we 
 been seated a short distance farther westward, the event 
 would never have been recorded by a living witness. 
 The ruins thus produced form a great impediment in tia- 
 veiling along the shore, and several years will elapse be- 
 fo’re tlie sea will have removed the amorphous blocks now 
 leaning against the clifTs. 
 
TUAP DISTRICT. 205 
 
 Tlie foregoing incident should remind the reader of 
 the danger attending sucli as fre<inent the base of preci- 
 pices that are constantly falling. Several instances have 
 occurred during a few past years, when individuals have 
 been instantaneously crushed and buried beneath the ruins 
 of the trap. Nor should the months of June and July be 
 considered jierfectly safe as some have supposed : for 
 although during the earlier part of the season the hazard is 
 increased in consequence of the destruction produced 
 among the exposed rocks, by the escaping frost, never- 
 theless “ launches” are continually taking place from the 
 undermining effects of the waves. More than once in the 
 eagerness of a search for minerals, has the tide in calm 
 weather stolen silently around us, and prevented a retreat ; 
 on one occasion we were compelled to sit perched uiioa 
 a solitary rock beneath a mural j)reci()ice, until the ebbing 
 water opened a way for escape. In this cove the water 
 is very deep. About six miles farther eastward, there is 
 a singular submarine causew'ay, stietching out from the 
 shore into the sea about a mile. Over this causeway the 
 tide passes with great rapidity, in consequence of the ob- 
 struction thus placed in the way. It is called by the in- 
 habitants “ the Race, ’ and affords a resort for codfish 
 and pollock, which frequently remain around the fishing 
 boats so long during the ebbing tide, that the w ater be- 
 comes shallow, and they are seen darting at the bait con- 
 taining the fatal hook. Great numbers of gulls are con- 
 slanlly hovering over “ the Race,” and while the larger 
 fish are devouring the smells and squids below, these and 
 the fishing haw k are carrying on a brisk attack from above. 
 
 1 he smelt in his turn how'ever, devours the ova of the 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 206 
 
 codfish and pollock, thus retaliating upon his powerful 
 foes, by cutting off their infanlile broods. 
 
 CAPE SPLIT. 
 
 Hitherto in describing the rocks on the south side 
 of the Bay ofFundy, several small openings and protu- 
 berances have been considered ; but the trap rocks in ge- 
 neral pursue a very uniform course from north east to 
 south west; and in this respect are like other Formations 
 of the country. From Scots Bay, advancing towards the 
 Basin of Mines, a great change in that course takes place 
 in the rocks at Cape Split, a lofty promontory extending 
 northward directly into the Bay, wliere it has produced 
 great eddies and other disturbance in the course of the 
 tides. This cape advances about two miles directly out- 
 wards inK) the sea, increasing the width of the Trap For- 
 mation from four to six miles. This width however, gra- 
 dually diminishes towards Cape Blomidon, where this 
 iiart of the Formation terminates. Besides the lofty and 
 vertical elevation that is raised far above the surface of 
 the sea, this cape sends out a submarine promontory be- 
 neath the waters of the Bay. Hence the flood tide already 
 urged forward by a powerful impulse, is met by a formi- 
 dable barrier at the super-marine Cape, and its violence 
 turned upon the opposite coast. The submarine cape 
 also offers a partial resistance to the influx of the ocean, 
 notwithstanding the vast column of water that rolls over 
 its embankment. 'Phe flood tide thus thrown upon the 
 northern shore, has swept out large bays in places where 
 the solid trap forming the capes and headlands, have not 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 207 
 
 resisted its influence, and turned the current back to the 
 coast where it had arisen. Hence a boat leaving Cape 
 Split of a calm day, will be carried to Parrsborough on 
 the flood tide, without the aid of rowing. From the be- 
 fore mentioned causes, the bay at Diligence River, and 
 the placid sheet called West Bay, have been formed, as 
 the rocks at those places are of a yielding nature, and 
 not capable of ofiering the resistance afforded by the col- 
 umnar masses of Partridge Island, and Cape Sharp. 
 Again, the ebb tide nearly equalling the flood in violence, 
 is met by the east side of Cape Split, and its submarine 
 causeway ; from thence it is propelled upon the opposite 
 coast near Fox River, where it has worn away the shale, 
 leaving Spencer’s Island exposed to its steady and furious 
 influence. These fads have been clearly ascertained by 
 observation and experiment, and may afford a useful hint 
 to masters of vessels in the coasting trade. About half 
 a mile southward of Cape Split, the basaltic trap forms a 
 small sharp point, at the extremity of which there is an 
 isolated mass detached from the neighbouring cliffs. This 
 eminence at high water becomes an island, and during 
 the egress of the sea adds much to the beauty of the land- 
 scape. Between this pseudo-island and the cape, the 
 basalt forms a lofty and perpendiculai- escarpment three 
 hundred and fifty feet high : the rapidity of the tides 
 sweeps all the debris away, and often a polished pavement 
 of solid rock may be seen sloping towards the retired 
 ocean ; although in calm weather in the summer season, 
 a collection of rounded pebbles covers the water-worn 
 surface to considerable distance. Exposed to the fury of 
 the sea, rendered still more boisterous by prevailing wes- 
 
tuap district. 
 
 •>os 
 
 telly wiluls, the majestic precipice lias withstood its vio- 
 lence for many ages, or has retreated but slowly from the 
 site where it formerly overshadowed the enoniious whirl- 
 pools ever curling at its base. It is inaccessible at every 
 point, and affords at higb-water not a single broken ped- 
 estal where the tardy traveller might rest, had he neglected 
 
 10 retreat before the coining flood* 
 
 Standing two hundred yards from the base of this 
 mural cliff, and towards the sea at low water, a lofty pa- 
 rapet is seen a short distance in its rear, and rising up- 
 wards still higher than the precipice in advance. From 
 die appearance of these cliffs it is almost certain, that 
 there is a narrow and frightful chasm between them. Hav- 
 ing landed uiion tire beach we were unable to pay this 
 singular opening a visit, it being impossible to ascend the 
 rocks on either side of the cape. By landing at Scot’s 
 Bay, and travelling along the pathless wilderness a few 
 miles, the entrenchment might be viewed from above, a 
 pleasure we hope to enjoy at some future day. Few min- 
 erals were discovered at this remarkable locality, which 
 for the grandeur of its scenery surpasses many celebrated 
 views among the basaltic rocks of other countries, and is 
 deserving of a ftu- better drawing and description than has 
 yet been given. 
 
 A large geode of crystalized quartz was found at the 
 base of the precipice : it would weigh more than two hun- 
 dred pounds ; but being already loaded at the time of its 
 discoveiy, we had little disposition to bring it away, nor 
 could a place of security be found, where some future 
 visitor might obtain its splendid crystals. At the extrem- 
 ity of the super-marine cape, several isolated masses of 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 209 
 
 columnar trap with perpendicular sides, stand crowning 
 the reef that extends beneath the surface of the water. 
 The largest of these masses is about two hundred and fifty 
 feet high, with perpendicular sides, and closely resembles 
 an ancient and majestic tower. The surface of this natu- 
 ral edifice is crested with creeping evergreens, which 
 searching their way into every crevice where the decayed 
 rocks have formed a soil, hang clinging to the basaltic 
 castle, like the ivy decorating deserted European castles. 
 Its surface is nearly level, and comprises about half an 
 acre, which during the summer months is perfectly cov- 
 ered with the nests of gulls. In the months of July and 
 August, the winged inhabitants of the cape are seen with 
 a telescope, sitting side by side, hatching their broods. 
 Swarms of male birds are hovering in the air, while their 
 constant screaming would almost make a statue nervous. 
 Even here, notwithstanding they are congregated far from 
 the abode of man, and seldom disturbed by a visitor to 
 the gloomy Split,” the gull is often gulled, and not 
 always secure. During our last excursion to the spot, a 
 fox was seen creeping up the rock, in order to purloin a 
 feast of eggs, while hundreds were darting about his head : 
 upon the approach of our boat reynard retreated, and made 
 Ills escape along the beach to the eastward. A little far- 
 ther towards the sea, a smaller basaltic cone-shaped rock 
 stands exposed to the rapid torrents rolling at its base. It 
 terminates in a sharp top, and is bald, black, and barren. 
 Several other irregular masses of lesser elevation, make 
 up the dangerous cape, which affords a most sublime, and 
 often terrific spectacle. Over the submarine cape, the 
 
 tide rolls in frightful fury ; its extent is known by a long 
 
 27 
 
210 
 
 trav district. 
 
 chain of white breakers, that even in calm weather, afmr 
 the tide is turned, are thrown upwards into foaming curls, 
 which may be seen at a distance of twenty miles, accom- 
 panied at high spring tides wiUr a bellowing no.se, Ijke 
 that produced by the distant firing of eannon. Tins Cha- 
 rybdis, which in a gale is almost unequalled in any coun- 
 try, is called “ The Rips.” It has been the grave of 
 several vessels, and is shunned by all prudent pilots m the 
 Bay. The main land at this place presents a bold pro- 
 montory, in which there is a singular wedge-shaped open- 
 ing worn out by the pelting of the waves. The cape 
 therefore, viewed at a distance, and from the sea, has a 
 very peculiar notched appearance, and affords a remarka- 
 ble feature of the class of rocks entering into its formation. 
 
 blomidon. 
 
 Between Cape Split and Cape Blomidon, a distance 
 of fifteen miles, the coast like that just described, is un- 
 inhabited, and generally known by the appellation of Blom- 
 idon, to distinguish it from the lofty cape where it termi- 
 nates, on the west side of the Basin of Mines. This shore 
 and its celebrated cape, afford a most fruitful field to the 
 Mineralogist, abounding in numerous specimens of thefan- 
 est minerals, and exhibiting some of the most magnificent 
 scenery in the Province. We found a variety of mineral 
 substances, more abundant and more perfectly crystaliv.ed 
 upon this shore, than in any other part of the country, 
 and have selected them for the process of analysis and 
 description ; therefore a somewhat more particular detail 
 will now be given of minerals also found at other localities, 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 211 
 
 and to which the same details may be applied when a 
 more extended account of them is required. 
 
 This part of the coast, like others already describ- 
 ed, is composed of basaltic trap, resting on amygdaloid ; 
 the former composes the elevated cliffs, the latter extends 
 in general from high water mark to the sea. At several 
 places perfect basalts are constructed under five, seven, 
 and nine sides. The articulations are numerous, and the 
 prismatic form distinct. The trap is almost identical, in 
 general, with that of other basaltic districts, where the 
 rocks themselves having been crystalized, afford the most 
 picturesque and interesting scenery. In one instance in- 
 stead of prisms being placed upright, they are leaning 
 outwards towards the bay, so that their ends are exposed 
 instead of their sides. This circumstance has apparent- 
 ly happened, in consequence of some catastrophe which 
 lias thrown the pillars originally placed perpendicularly, 
 partially upon their sides, and left them in an inclining 
 position, at an angle of forty-five degrees from the hori- 
 zon. Towards Cape Split, the basalt is in regular archi- 
 tectural blocks, accurately fitted to each other ; but the 
 columnar arrangement becomes more manifest in the vici- 
 nity of Cape Blomidon. The basaltiform structure of 
 the rocks is more distinct at tlie top of the precipice, the 
 lower rocks being separated into cuboidal blocks, some- 
 times of large dimensions. The rocks have frequently a 
 reddish hue externally, from the red oxide of iron formed 
 upon their surfaces, but when recently broken they are of 
 a dark green colour. 
 
 Half a mile from Cape Split, a basaltiform mass of 
 trap extends outwards into the sea, so that it cannot be 
 
212 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 passed at low water without the aid of a boat : a short 
 distance farther eastward, we entered a dark and curious 
 cavity, cherishing the hope that a cave was at hand : hut 
 after the eye had adapted itself to the degree of light then 
 present, to our great mortification the imaginary cave was 
 found to terminate in a wide fissure, extending upwards 
 into the superincumbent trap. A part of the fissure runs 
 off to the right, and opens into a notch in the precipice 
 above. Through this narrow opening the light enters, and 
 appears like a star sending its feeble rays into the dreary 
 chasm below. This excavation has been made in conse- 
 quence of the rock having been composed of softer ma- 
 terials, that have gradually been washed away by the war 
 of the elements. Many superstitious individuals have be- 
 lieved that money was deposited in this dark opening, and 
 that the place was haunted by evil spirits. Let such as 
 have given credit to these idle stories, now be assured, 
 that during a minute examination of every crevice m its 
 walls, no money was found, and neither ghost nor goblin 
 made its appearance. 
 
 At the base of a mural precipice three miles eastward 
 of the Split, and among the debris produced by the down- 
 fall of the crumbling rocks, several pieces of beautiful 
 moss agate were obtained, of a kind perhaps never before 
 discovered in the Province. It consists of transparent 
 chalcedony, enclosing small brown filaments perfectly re- 
 sembling moss : the transparency of the chalcedony ad- 
 mits of the moss being seen in the interior of the different 
 masses ; these when polished afford rare and pleasing spe- 
 cimens of that mineral. Dauberton suggested, that these 
 filaments in moss agate might have been mosses, and vege- 
 

 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 213 
 
 table fibres, embraced by the agate at the time of its for. 
 mation. But this idea appears to be absurd, as organic 
 remains are seldom or never found in trap rocks, and the 
 curious figures displayed by agates, are only imitative and 
 accidental. These filaments and twigs are generally com- 
 posed of the brown oxide of iron, as we shall have occa- 
 sion to shew more fully hereafter. Thin plates of milky 
 white chalcedony occur near the agates ; tliey occupy 
 narrow veins in the fallen rocks, and now afford fine ma- 
 terials for setting in rings and seals. 
 
 Still farther eastward, and perhaps five miles from 
 Cape Split, the trap becomes declivious, allowing the 
 small spruce to cling to the slope, and rise one above 
 another to its summit. Here the shore is covered with 
 coarse pebbles, and the eye is relieved by the transition 
 from lofty colonnades, to the evergreens decorating the 
 coast. 
 
 Several pieces of wrecks lie half buried in the sand, 
 near the spot called Long Beach,** a place often visited 
 in the season of gooseberries, which grow abundantly upon 
 the bank. 
 
 Still advancing towards the majestic Blomidon, and 
 near Long Beach, there are several kinds of agate scattered 
 in detached pieces among the pebbles of the shore. Some 
 of these agates are partially polished by attrition in water, 
 during the influx of the tide. A large block of agate, 
 weighing upwards of forty pounds, was picked up at low 
 water mark : it is composed of semi-transparent chalce- 
 dony, with curved fortifications of white chalcedony in- 
 terlaced wnth lines of red carnelian. On one side the 
 perfect onyx agate is formed, encircled by the same lines. 
 
v' 
 
 21i 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 having the pupil dark coloured. The mass contains cav- 
 ities lined with crj'stals of ametliyst. One part of this 
 beautiful specimen of agate, was presented to Viscount 
 Valentia, by whom it was much admired. At the same 
 ])lace there are large masses of jasper and hornstone. Tlie 
 latter has been thus named from its resemblance to certain 
 horns : it is like some kinds of jasper, but its transparency 
 and splintery fracture will distinguish it from that mineral. 
 The jasper includes several varieties, and among them is 
 that called riband jasper. At this place the gradual pas- 
 sage of claystone into red jasper, was again observed, 
 similar to the transmutation of those minerals at Digby 
 Neck ; and the Geological testimony in both instances is 
 such, as to leave little doubt in regard to die certainty of 
 the latter having been formed from the claystone, in situ- 
 ations where it was exposed to a stronger heat than diat 
 to which the latter had been submitted. If this opinion 
 be correct, the basaltic trap must have been formed under 
 a more intense state of fusion than the amygdaloid, in 
 which the claystone occupies veins, the jasper being con- 
 fined altogether in the greenstone. 
 
 Seven miles eastward of Cape Split, the precipice 
 has attained a more considerable elevation, and according 
 to the altitude taken by Sir Howard Douglas, is four hun- 
 dred and fifty feet high. Nowhere along the coast have 
 the rocks a greater height, except at Cape Blomidon, 
 where they rise still higher. Here these ejected monu- 
 ments display magnificent forms, and present some of die 
 most magnificent scenery in the country . Near the former 
 jdace a small brook pours from the dill', and in die spring, 
 when the melted snow increases the stream, it lands upon 
 
the beach beneaili, twenty yards from the foot of its ex- 
 alted bed. A short distance from this cascade, a large 
 collection of debris lies sloping from the side of the mural 
 trap. This debris was produced by a great avalanche from 
 the top of the precipice, in the spring of 1834 ; and the 
 noise of the downfall was heard many miles along the op- 
 j)osite coast. Being made acquainted with the circum- 
 stance, we hastened to the spot, and were richly rewarded 
 for our trouble. This place however, has been visited so 
 often since, that little now remains there worthy a place 
 in the cabinet. Among the numerous and beautiful min- 
 erals obtained during the first visit to this interesting local- 
 ity, was the onyx agate. A large mass, weighing upwards 
 of eighty pounds, had been dislodged, and lay among the 
 ruins of the cliff. This agate exhibits distinct and parallel 
 zones of different colours ; these zones consist of white 
 circles of cacholong, alternating with small rings of chal- 
 cedony and pale red carnelian. When these agates are 
 polished they are extremely beautiful, and resemble the 
 eyes of certain animals. Sometimes there are white lines 
 of cacholong, and grey circles of chalcedony, forming the 
 chalcedonyx of the ancients. Other curious figures are 
 presented ; among them is one imitative of the gay figures 
 made by our Indians with the quills of the porcupine on 
 boxes made of bark. The mass containing these agates, 
 enclosed a cavity crusted witli small crystals of violet col- 
 oured amethyst. In another specimen of the fortification 
 agate found near the debris, the parallel lines were pierced 
 with rays, which add much to its beauty. Large blocks 
 of amethyst had been broken by the downfall of the clifi', 
 and lay among its broken masses. In several instances 
 
 
21G 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 perfect geodes of that beautiful mineral were obtained. 
 These geodes when whole, appear like balls of quartz, 
 indented all over their external surfaces with botryoidal 
 cacholong, which often encloses the geode ; but when 
 broken the mass often presents large crystals of amethyst, 
 of a deep violet blue colour. Frequently also the shell of 
 the geode is composed of riband jasper , or agate. The 
 amethyst also occurs in cavities in the amorphous trap j 
 a single block when opened with a blow of the hammer, 
 presented a surface a foot square, perfectly covered with 
 splendid crystals of that mineral : some of these crystals 
 measure an inch in diameter, and when they are perfect 
 are six-sided prisms, terminated by six-sided pyramids. 
 The amethyst found along this shore, is seldom surpassed 
 in beauty. A crystal from Blomidon is now in the Crown 
 of the King of the French, and other pieces have been 
 much admired in England and the United States ; but as 
 these minerals are carefully sought by all persons, they 
 are becoming comparatively scarce. In several instances 
 we found large geodes of this gem filled with zeolite, and 
 one of the cavities in a fine specimen, is occupied with 
 that variety called mesotype. It is also associated with 
 chalcedony, calcareous spar, and stilbite, exhibiting rare 
 and interesting combinations. Amethyst is only used for 
 ornamental purposes, “ it receives a good polish, and is 
 much esteemed in jewellery for necklaces and ring-stones. 
 In the Royal Library at Paris, there is a bust of Trajan, 
 engraved on amethyst.” It was supposed by the ancients, 
 that wine drank from a goblet made of that mineral, would 
 not intoxicate. If the mineral really possessed that extra- 
 ordinary virtue, vessels made of it would be invaluable in 
 
TRAP DISTRICT, 
 
 217 
 
 tlie present day, wlien sad effects are produced by using 
 glass. 
 
 The amygdaloid contains many small veins of the 
 magnetic oxide of iron, incrusted witli grey oxide of man- 
 ganese. It is doubtless from these oxides entering into 
 crystals of quartz, that the amethyst with its peculiar tint 
 has been produced. Sometimes these ores are crystalized 
 in red jasper, from which they drop leaving their impres- 
 sions perfect. Numerous veins of iron ore penetrate the 
 trap upon the coast of Blomidon ; at one place a vein six 
 inches wide is seen, extending upwards in the compact 
 rock ; it is of the richest quality, and highly magnetic. 
 This vein has been explored, and a quantity of the ore 
 ' shipped to the United States. It is called by the inhabi- 
 tants magnusy the common term for manganese ; but the 
 Americans are not particular about the shadow of a name, 
 if they obtain the substance. We have a specimen of tins 
 ore in our possession, which will yield eighty-five per cent, 
 of pure iron, and possesses the highest metallic lustre we 
 have ever seen in the ore of that metal. Frequently it is 
 united with quartz and jasper, making singular aggregates. 
 
 Apophyllite occurs among the minerals at Blomidon, 
 in great perfection and beauty ; sometimes it appears in 
 prismatic crystals, and exhibits a glossy pearly lustre. In 
 a few instances however, has the right four-sided prism 
 with rectangular bases, its primitive form, been found. 
 It is seen in broad laminated masses, divided into leaves 
 transparent and colourless. Again, its regular crystals are 
 truncated by triangular faces, sometimes so deeply, that 
 four-sided pyramids having rhombic planes, are produced. 
 
 Several other secondary forms may be observed among 
 
 2S 
 
21H 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 tlie detached pieces on the beach. Tiiis mineral also ap- 
 pears, partially filling the cavities in geodes of quartz and 
 amethvst ; the pearly lustre of the apophyllite, contrasted 
 with the purple crystals where it is imbedded, forms a 
 pretty variety, and furnishes rich and elegant specimens. 
 Agate, amethyst, and apophyllite, are sometimes found 
 combined, each affording an instance of the singular pro- 
 cess by which they have arranged their particles during the 
 progress of crystalization. Almost all the geodes contain- 
 ing this mineral, and those in the neighbourhood, are 
 coated and curiously indented with botryoidal cacholong. 
 Before the flame of the blowpipe, the apophyllite melts 
 into a white enamel ; it forms a jelly with the acids, and 
 is easily distinguished from stilbite by its pearly and irised 
 colours. 
 
 The amygdaloid at one spot contains analcime, in 
 colourless transparent dodecahedral crystals. These crys- 
 tals are nevertheless sometimes coloured, and appear to 
 be lightly coated on the surface with extremely minute 
 crystals of the same mineral, as if after the regular dode- 
 cahedron had been formed, a gas containing analcime had 
 lighted on their surfaces, giving them a peculiar incrusta- 
 tion. Tliis circumstance we do not recollect of having 
 seen noticed before, although it is equally obvious in spe- 
 cimens of this mineral from other countries. Attached to 
 the analcime there are frequently delicate four-sided prisms, 
 of that variety of mesotype called needlestone, from its 
 resemblance to needles. It often occurs in radiating 
 masses, and bundles of delicate fibres, which terminate on 
 the surface of each group, in elongated four-sided pyra- 
 mids. This mineral is in much greater beauty at Two 
 
^ TRAP Dli>TRlCT. 
 
 2li) 
 
 Islands, and will be noticed when treating of that place. 
 The needle-stone does not in any instance penetrate the 
 analcime, and the prisms are but slightly attached to its 
 crystals. 
 
 Besides the minerals already brought under consid- 
 
 eration, one hitherto unknown to us in Nova Scotia, ap- 
 pears upon this interesting shore. This mineral is called 
 the leucite, or the trapezoidal Kouphone spar of Profes* 
 sor Mohs : probably it is the same described by Jackson 
 and Alger, who supposed it to be a new variety. It ap- 
 pears in the amygdaloid, in well defined crystals, contained 
 under twenty-four ecpial and similar trapeziums, — some- 
 times this form is slightly modified : the faces of the crys- 
 tals are occasionally striated parallel to the surfaces of 
 cleavage, like those of the garnet. It is transparent and 
 colourless generally, although some pieces have a milky 
 appearance. Before the blowpipe it is infusible, and is 
 easily distinguished from the garnet and analcime. Wo 
 have not yet had an opportunity of analyzing this mineral, 
 but having taken the opinion of Professor Emmons, of 
 William’s College, a distinguished Mineralogist, and com- 
 pared it with accurate descriptions, think we are safe in 
 calling it the leucite ; the only mineral in Professor 
 Cleaveland’s catalogue agreeing with it in the characters 
 examined. 
 
 lleulandite and calcareous sj>ar are frequently asso- 
 ciated, and fill narrow veins in the amygdaloid. Agates, 
 jasper, chalcedony, hornstone, iron ore, and a variety of 
 other minerals, lie scattered along the foot of the debris. 
 During every visit to this locality, the Mineralogist will 
 discover sonic new association or combination, so rich 
 
220 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 and varied are the natural productions of the coast. An 
 outline of description has only been attempted, and much 
 yet remains to be performed by such as may succeed us 
 in these enquiries. But before we take a view of the 
 majestic cape, and bid adieu to its magnificent scenery, 
 a peculiar mineral should receive a little attention, on ac- 
 count of the Geological testimony it supplies, in regard 
 to the igneous origin of trap. We mean the cacholong, 
 a variety of chalcedony. It appears in white and yellow- 
 ish-white masses, resembling chalk— it frequently passes 
 into chalcedony, and envelopes other minerals, producing 
 on their surfaces impressions resembling those made by 
 the fingers in soft putty. Frequently it adheres to the 
 tongue, being possessed of absorbent properties. This 
 mineral is identical with pieces brought from recent vol- 
 canoes, and cannot be distinguished from specimens con- 
 tained in the lava of Etna and Vesuvius. This fact, in 
 addition to numerous others of a similar kind, although 
 not so plainly marked in their characters, should have 
 been sufficient to convince even Werner himself, that 
 trap rocks were produced by heat ; that during its ener- 
 gy reduced the ingredients of the numerous minerals they 
 contain, so that they have assumed those regular and de- 
 terminate figures under which they now appear. 
 
 Approaching the lofty cape from the westward, the 
 amygdaloid begins to ascend, extending to the southward 
 until it is cut off, and the basaltic trap permitted to rest 
 directly upon the sandstone, in the manner it is seen at 
 “ White Water,” a small cove on the south side of this 
 headland. The basaltic trap attaining still greater eleva- 
 tion, forms separate and distinct ranges of columns. Ihe 
 
first of these ranges composes the perpendicular precipice 
 in front, and stands facing the Basin of Mines : two 
 others rise in succession in the rear, and are lifted up 
 like steps of stairs to support the higher lands of the 
 coast. The two ranges placed rearward have been clear- 
 ly made out, although tliey are obscured from a view be- 
 neath, by the growth of trees covering the summit of the 
 mountain. These successive facades of columns resem- 
 ble those on the coast of Antiim, and were the surface 
 cleared would nearly equal in beauty those of the Scottish 
 Isles. It is true that the basaltic arrangement is not so 
 perfect in Nova Scotia, but the columnar structure 
 throughout the whole of this formation is manifest, and 
 in many places extremely beautiful and well defined. 
 
 Beneath the basaltic trap, the amygdaloid emerges, 
 supporting the slope of debris lliat forms a semicircle 
 around the bold promontory. This immense collection of 
 debris is composed of broken columns and shapeless mas- 
 ses of trap, which have fallen towards the sea beneath. 
 Even here the trees of the forest have taken root, and 
 form a beautiful terrace around the cape, that far sur- 
 mounts the altitude of their highest tops. Many of these 
 trees have been transplanted from the summits of the high- 
 est cliffs, now leaning over their adopted homes, and 
 seeming to gaze with frightful pride over the ruins to which 
 they will finally be consigned. Often have we made an 
 escalade up the accessible )>art of the abrupt escarpment, 
 and our brain has reeled over the frightful chasms open in 
 the cliff. Arriving at the summit of tlie slope, the mural 
 precipice above stands frowning over the ruins of its less 
 •elevated and broketi masses. Beneath the sloping amyg- 
 
daloid and perpendicular trap, the sandstone forms a bold 
 outcropping, stretching away to the southward, where it 
 gradually declines and forms the great valley of Annapolis 
 Lid King’s Counties. The red sandstone dips at an angle 
 often degrees, and forming a broad base projects outwards 
 beneath the ponderous pillars above. Here the Trap 
 Formation of the North Mountains terminates, and seems 
 at the close of its reign to have given the master-piece ol 
 its grandeur. Here the sandstone, amygdaloid and trap 
 appear, exhibiting a perfect section of their extensive 
 formations. Here the melted lava ceased to How, and 
 winding rivers were allowed to unite, and pass towards 
 the ocean. Like some imperishable tower, with circling 
 battlements, the ranging columns of basalt seem to resist 
 encroachment ; but Time with ever wearing and destruc- 
 tive energy, undermines the stupendous cliffs, and the sea 
 by washing away the substrata, bids the lofty colonnade 
 descend and totter downwards to the beach, where each 
 retreating wave transports its crumbling masses to their 
 ocean grave. On the south side of the cajie the new red 
 sandstone rises from beneath the amygdaloid, at an angle 
 of seventy-five degrees, until it has attained an elevation 
 of upwards of three hundred feet ; the vescicular amyg- 
 daloid having disappeared, a precipice of basaltic trap, 
 two hundred feet high, rests upon its almost horizontal 
 strata. The highest jiart of the cape is six hundred and 
 forty feet, the most elevated promontory m this part of 
 the country. The sandstone in several places is excava- 
 ted by deep and narrow ravines that extend up the em- 
 bankment. Having ascended upwards of three hundred 
 feet, a peep over one of these rude indentations w ill jno- 
 
(luce a iremoLir well known to those who are unaccustomed 
 to climbing. Upon a part of the cliff where the preci- 
 pice had become a little sloping, some large blocks of 
 trap were set at liberty. Hurling in rapid motion down 
 llie escarpment, and over the beach, lighting up their 
 way w ith streams of liquid fire produced by their collision 
 with the rocks lieing in their way, they plunged into the 
 sea, whose placid surface foatned above their momentary 
 tract. 
 
 The red sandstone contains numerous veins of fi- 
 brous gypsum and selenite, dej)osited with mechanical 
 regularity. Many of the plates of selenite are beautifully 
 transparent, others are of different shades of red, and 
 appear like ice stained by foreign ingredients. Having 
 ascended the lofty cape, the visitor will enjoy one of the 
 most splendid, varied, and extensive view^s the country 
 affords. Looking over the frightful precipice, before him 
 is the Basin of Mines studded in summer with the white 
 sails of coasters, which in calm w eather are hurried along 
 by the rapid tide, and often in an opposite direction to 
 their ‘‘ desired haven.” On the right, the great valley 
 already described, is seen stretching towards the far west, 
 and decorated with scattered villages and fruitful fields, 
 through which small rivers wind their serpentine way. 
 Here and there the spire of a church reminds the travel- 
 ler, that the Author of these terrestrial wonders is not 
 forgotten, and the temples dedicated to his service com- 
 memorate the tidings, that even He has promised to dw^ell 
 among his creatures. Far beyond the chain-like villages 
 of Horton and Windsor, the unfrequented hills of slate 
 and granite rise in succession, until the sight is dimmed 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 among their wave like summits. Eastward a depression 
 in the horizon marks the site of Truro : on the left the 
 picturesque village of Parrsborough, points out a safe re- 
 treat for vessels in stormy weatiier. Still farther north, 
 beyond the rugged peaks of shale, the more level coal 
 fields of Cumberland, once shaded with the lofty palm and 
 antediluvian pine, retires from the sight, leaving the ima- 
 gination to complete the scene. 
 
 General Remarks o.n the North Mountains. 
 
 Having thus furnished a description of the Trap 
 Formation on the South side of the Bay of Fundy, so far 
 as it forms the coast, and having given a brief view of its 
 mineral contents, it remains to notice the South side of 
 the North Mountains, between Cape Blomidon and Digby 
 Gut. Wherever the soil has been removed and the rocks 
 exposed, for instance on the sides of roads and ravines, 
 and at other situations where the vertical position of the 
 basaltic trap will not permit vegetation to go forward, 
 there in every instance without one exception, the horn- 
 blende rocks will be found reposing upon the red sandstone 
 as before described. Sometimes the amygdaloid is appa- 
 rently absent, and columnar masses of basalt rise upwards 
 from the sandstone ; but at numerous places along this 
 range, few such instances occurred, and the vescicular 
 rock containing zeolites is in .nlw. The North Mountains 
 therefore, have the same Geological relations throughout, 
 and contain on all sides those numerous and interesting 
 minerals already noticed. 
 
On the road leading to Hall’s Harbour, in the Town- 
 ship of Cornwallis, and near the highest part of the moun- 
 tain, the amygdaloid rises to the surface. It contains oc- 
 casionally small unoccupied cavities, which have been 
 filled with zeolites; these having been decomposed by 
 being exposed to the atmosphere, have left their situations 
 vacant. In some instances however, the zeolites are 
 perfect. Large pieces of stilbite were found among the 
 soil, but they are not dissimilar to those recognized upon 
 the shoie. Quartz, agate, jasper and chalcedony, were 
 discovered at several localities upon the mountains ; but 
 as those minerals have already received that share of des- 
 cription we intended to give, any further detail of them 
 in this place will be omitted. There is however one 
 mineral occurring in the mountains of Aylesford, and des- 
 cribed by Jackson and Alger, that we have been unable 
 to obtain, and therefore avail ourselves of dieir descrip- 
 tion of it. Specimens of chlorophaeite when recently 
 broken are of a greenish tinge, sometimes approaching to 
 leek green. It is translucent on the edges and soft, yield- 
 ing to the nail with about the same readiness as horn silver. 
 Its fracture is distinctly conchoidal ; on exposure to the 
 air the colour changes, and the substance becomes black 
 and opaque. This peculiar change is also observed in 
 specimens before being removed from the rock, even to 
 the depth of six inches from the surface.” The above 
 mineral occurs in the amygdaloid at Hadley’s and Gates’s 
 Mountains. 
 
 It may be enquired of what practical value are the 
 minerals contained in the Trap District of Nova Scotia, 
 
 and what Provincial advantage can arise from their dis- 
 
 ‘29 
 
226 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 covery ? In reply it must be acknowledged, that allhough 
 many of them are gems of great beauty, and such as have 
 been eagerly sought for to be set in rinp, seals and neck- 
 laces, or to ornament the abodes of a highly civilized peo- 
 ple, and therefore are of considerable value ; notwithstand- 
 ing it is not probable that they will ever afford an article 
 very important to commerce, or make up the source o 
 an abundant revenue. As objects of science they are 
 however, more valuable. They shew the chemist how 
 variously different substances may be combined, and the 
 different forms they are capable of assuming. The dis- 
 covery of such combinations have produced the most be- 
 neficial results, and chemical affinities exhibited by mine- 
 ral substances found in the earth, have supplied mankind 
 with useful hints. These having been laid hold of, are 
 now followed by vast improvements in the arts, and the 
 manufactories of this kingdom are now teeming with the 
 richest and most valuable productions, many of which have 
 arisen from the advanced state of chemical knowledge. 
 The mind of the Natural Philosopher becomes enriched 
 by the objects drawn from Nature’s private cabinet, and 
 he is enabled to supply his fellow men with knowledge, 
 the most valuable of all earthly blessings : and altbough 
 he may toil in silence, and remain unknown, and may not 
 receive the least encouragement amidst his labours, or re- 
 ward for his pains, yet when he disappears he leaves 
 something in the hands of his successors that may admin- 
 ister to their wants^ and render them wiser and more 
 
 happy. . , 
 
 The North Mountains have evidently been formed 
 
 much later than the sandstone upon which they rest. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 227 
 
 They must be distinguished from every oilier Formation 
 in the country, and admitting them to be of volcanic ori- 
 gin, their occurrence may be considered extraneous. — 
 Had they never been elevated to their present situation, 
 the lower lands of Annapolis and King’s Counties, would 
 have presented an almost level surface, even to the margin 
 of the Bay of Fundy ; then numerous rivers and creeks 
 would have entered those counties irom the north, and 
 the unprotected sandstone would have been exposed to 
 tlie more rapid encroachments of the sea. But the trap 
 rocks have been thrown up like an embankment upon tlie 
 border of the sandstone, protecting it from the angry tides 
 and turbulent billows of the Bay. The torrents of rain 
 collected upon tliese elevated lands, instead of being 
 peacefully conveyed to the sea, through the gentle wind- 
 ings of the vallies, are precipitated over stupendous pre- 
 cipices of the hard basalt, and fall headlong into the ocean 
 that rolls beneath. At some of those romantic spots a 
 thousand persons might receive the vapour bath at once, 
 and at the same time behold the sparkling rainbow^ formed 
 in the mists above their heads. 
 
 The Annapolis and Cornwallis Rivers meet in the 
 great valley before mentioned, and the floods that are 
 often accumulated on the lower grounds, are sullenly con- 
 veyed to the ocean through a narrow opening in the trap 
 rocks at Digby, while the small rivers of King’s County 
 convey the surplus w'aters from the fertile soil into the 
 Basin of Mines. The soil covering the North Mountains, 
 although in many places scanty, is nevertheless very good. 
 Here and there the rocks appeal* above the surface, but 
 they do not hinder tlie progress of cultivation, which is 
 rapidly advancing in every quarter. 
 
TRAP DlbTKICT. 
 
 The soil is composed of disintegrated trap rocks ; 
 these having a considerable quantity' of lime and potash 
 contained in the hornblende and feldsj)ar of which they 
 are constituted, greatly promote vegetation. Not only is 
 the surface of the mountain enriched by those chemical 
 substances, but the wasliing of the rain and numerous small 
 brooks, are constantly carrying the debris of the hills to 
 the sandstone at their base : from these causes the lower 
 grounds are constantly supplied with a most appropriate 
 source of fertility. 
 
 AHording a shelter from bleak northern blasts, and 
 refracting the rays of heat upon the valley below, the 
 great wall of trap also produces a regular supply of manure 
 to fertilize its covering. From these causes there is a belt 
 of land extending from Cornwallis to Granville, along the 
 base of the mountains, not surpassed by any in the Pro- 
 vince for richness and the production of good crops. No 
 better evidence of the good quality of the soil covering 
 the trap rocks need be produced, than a reference to the 
 immense growth of beach, birch and maple, thriving upon 
 them. 
 
 Hitherto a consideration of the destruction that is 
 continually going forward in the solid materials of the 
 country, has not been introduced any farther than it ap- 
 pears along the sea coast ; for it must be obvious to every 
 one who will bestow a little reflection on the subject, how 
 rapidly the dilapidation of every class of rocks is advan- 
 cing. Having thus given a description of the Trap Dis- 
 trict, GO far as it extends on the south side of the Bay of 
 Fundy, we now proceed to bring before the reader's no- 
 tice the remainder of the rocks belonging to that division. 
 
lliese form the Isle Ilaiit, Cajic CliiijiiccU), Cape if’Or, 
 t)|7enccr’s Island, Cape Sliarj), Partridge Island, and ilic 
 other lieadlands and islands on the shore of ParrsboroiK'h. 
 
 ISLE U.M T 
 
 About ten nnles from Cape Chicnecto, Isle Haul 
 rises abruptly from the sea, and is on an average about 
 four hundred feet high. Its surface occupies an area of 
 abotit one hundred acres, covered with a thick growth of 
 limber. At several places it allbrds safe anchorage, al- 
 though It is not much fretpiented by vessels in the Bay. 
 It has not proved dangerous to coasters, as the tides are 
 separated at this spot on the flood, one portion rushing up 
 the Chignecto Channel, and the other advancing eastwardly 
 through the Gut to the rapid Shubenacadie. On tlie south 
 side of the Island the massive trap rises in towering sub- 
 limity, and presents o’erhanging clifls of great grandeur. 
 On the north-east quarter a collection of sand forms a small 
 " bar,” and contains a beautiful basin filled with clear 
 water. The minerals occurring at this Island are but few 
 in number, and arc similar to those on the south coast of 
 the Bay. Sometime in the summer of 183.5, this deso- 
 late Island obtained an inhabitant, who hojied some aid 
 would have been given him by the Government, to render 
 his retreat comfortable ; but as little public benefit could 
 arise from his location at a place where there arc few sliip- 
 wrccks, the anticipated allowance was withheld, and he 
 has since removed to belter quarters. 
 
230 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT, 
 
 CAPE CHIGNECTO. 
 
 Cape Chignecto is also composed of amorphous 
 trap, which extends about two miles and a half from its 
 exuemity, on the shores of Cumberland Bay and Advo- 
 cate Harbour. It is difficult to determine the boundary 
 of the trap, it being intimately blended with the shale upon 
 which it is placed. This is the only instance in Nova 
 Scotia, so far as we have discovered, where the hornblende 
 rocks are not deposited upon red sandstone. It is curious 
 to observe the great difference in ffie overliemg rocks at 
 this place, compared with those where the red marf group 
 instead of the shale, forms the foundation upon which they 
 rest. Instead of having a beach along its base at low 
 water, as is common on the shores of the country, the 
 rocks at this place descend, almost perpendicularly into 
 the sea, rendering it impossible to examine them without 
 making an aquatic excursion. Rude and lofty cliffs rise 
 out of the sea, and hang in solemn pride over the head of 
 the adventurous visitor ; added to this circumstance a rapid 
 tide whirling in frothy pools, requires dexterous boatmen 
 to shun the vortices threatening on every side. Instead 
 of rolling upon tlie beach, and curling their brows forward 
 upon the trembling shore, the waves dash against the up- 
 right cliffs, rebounding and shooting upwards as if disap- 
 pointed in their landing place. About a mile eastward o 
 the bold extremity of the Cape, and between isolated 
 towers of greenstone, a narrow opening affords a retreat 
 for boats in stormy weather. This opening is called Re- 
 fugee Cove. Here the sea has thrown up a small beach, 
 and a brook comes rushing down a tremendous chasm. 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 531 
 
 situate in the rear. Half an acre of marsh has been form- 
 ed, and upon its margin there were at the lime of our visit, 
 craneberries as large as musket balls. These are in no 
 danger of being devoured by greedy schoolboys, for sel- 
 dom indeed does a visitor venture so far from any inhabi- 
 tant. Having ascended the top of the cliff, the surface 
 for several miles around presents a most gloomy aspect ; 
 the lofty spires of trap and upturned strata of shale, ren- 
 der it almost Impossible to pass their frontier, and years 
 will elapse before an accurate description can be given of 
 their minerals, or a hardy settler begin to fell the spruce 
 now skirting the ravines, and cresting the pathless hills. 
 
 The trap of Cape Chignecto is of two kinds, which 
 alternate with each other in pseudo-stratification. One of 
 these kinds resembles the common greenstone, and con- 
 tains a moderate quantity of hornblende ; the other is of 
 a reddish colour, and is apparently mixed with silex.— 
 Both pass insensibly into shale, and contain not a speci- 
 men of any mineral worth notice. 
 
 Perhaps it may be observed, that the trap at this lo- 
 cality being mixed with the shale, furnishes an argument 
 against its volcanic origin : but it should be remembered, 
 that the shale itself might have been exposed to the oper- 
 ation of subterraneous fires, forming a part if not the whole 
 of the mass, from which the trap has been produced ; or 
 the superimposed rocks might have been thrown up in such 
 an intensely heated state at the time of their formation, so 
 as to liquefy the shale that came in contact with it. In 
 cither case nothing more has been effected than would 
 certainly result, admitting that the crystalized rocks have 
 been produced in the same manner as granite, to which 
 
232 
 
 TUAP DISTKICT. 
 
 ihe hornblende rocks of ihe counlry are nearly allied. The 
 former or both of these opinions may be true ; for if the 
 basaltic rocks in Nova vScotia, have all originated from 
 the same cause, (a fact which few can doubt,) and have 
 been produced by the same materials, then they would be 
 uniform in their com[)Osilion. Such however is not the 
 impression they produce upon the mind, as those rocks 
 where they rest upon the shale at Cape Chignecto, are 
 dilibrent in that particular ; and although they have evi- 
 dently been produced by the same cause, their original 
 connection with the shale, and subseijuent mixture with 
 its materials, have evidently produced the diderence in 
 both structure and composition, now so obvious. The 
 different a})pearances of granite, porphyry, and other crys- 
 talized rocks, can only be accounted for in tkrs way. 
 The minerals of which all the rocks are composed, are 
 but few in number ; it is their dissimilar combinations that 
 make up the great variety among tliem. Perhaps Geolo- 
 gists have often reasoned from preconceived opinions, and 
 liave neglected circumstances like those thus briefly de- 
 tailed. Notwithstanding, the facts remain the same, and 
 the trap rocks where they rest upon the shale, in Nova 
 Scotia, are very different from those placed upon the new 
 red sandstone. 
 
 Advancing from Refugee Cove towards Advocate 
 Harbour, the shale in general is black. Its strata are 
 broken, torn asunder, and often twisted in the most re- 
 markable manner, and form a cliff about two hundred feet 
 high. The strata become more regular in proportion as 
 they are placed at a distance from the trap. This circum- 
 stance, and the carbon entering into the composition of 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 233 
 
 tlieir masses, clearly indicate that there has been great 
 iieat in the neighbourhood at some former period, which 
 will appear still more certain when Cape D ’Or is examined. 
 
 CAPE D’OR. 
 
 Like Isle Haut, this Cape received its name from 
 the French, who upon its first discovery mistook its native 
 copper for gold. Rising upwards four hundred feet from 
 the level of the sea, this bold cliff extends outwards into 
 the Bay in a southerly direction. At its southern base a 
 submarine cape reaches still farther into tlie sea, and pro- 
 duces the well known whirlpools called “ Dory Rips.” 
 During a heavy gale, the sunken pillars of trap throw up 
 frightful breakers ; notwithstanding at ordinary periods 
 there is sufficient water upon them to allow the largest 
 ships to pass in safety. The rapid flood tide, rolling for- 
 ward to fill the Basin of Mines, meeting an impediment 
 at the submarine precipice, is thrown above the common 
 level, and much broken in its tortuous course. The red 
 sandstone is seen at Advocate Harbour, (a small bay be- 
 tween Cape D’Or and Cape Cbignecto,) dipping at a 
 small angle beneath the overlieing rocks. The superficies 
 of the country occupied by that rock is low and level, and 
 e.xtending eastward is characterised by the same features 
 it bears in King’s County, on the opposite side of the 
 Bay. 
 
 The majestic cape, composed of massive trap, repos- 
 ing on amygdaloid, lifts its crest far above the strata of sand- 
 stone, and seems like a huge tower erected after the work 
 
 of creation had been completed. Northward, elevated 
 
 30 
 

 ' t ,i. 
 
 
 
 234 
 
 TRAP district. 
 
 ridges of grey sandstone and shale, have been thrown up, 
 leaving the red marly rock, sole occupant of the valley 
 between them and the more recent trap. Viewed at a 
 distance the cape appears like an island ; and under a pe- 
 culiar condition of the atmosphere, when low banks of fog 
 skirt the horizon, this headland. Cape Chignecto, and 
 Isle Haut, present the most delusive appearances. Often 
 the desolate Isle appears like a black spot in a cloud, and 
 the capes exhibit the most fantastic shapes. On the west 
 side of Cape D’Or, the trap forms a mural precipice, be- 
 neath which large blocks of the solid rock, worn round by 
 constant rubbing against each other, when overflowed by 
 the sea, lie over the broad polished pavement of amygda- 
 loid, that slopes gently down beneath the water. The 
 amygdaloid is divided into cuboidal blocks, by seams that 
 run across its surface, and the whole platform is curiously 
 figured with narrow fissures. In these seams and fissures, 
 ll>e pure native copper appears in dendritic, reniform, and 
 flattened pieces. Each fragnrent is indented by the ine- 
 qualities of the rock where it is secured, and it conforms 
 in every instance to the matrix which surrounds it. Often 
 the globular masses composing the moveable portion of 
 the shore, agitated by tl>e waves, wear down the more 
 tenacious copper, leaving a bright surface exposed ; hence 
 the metal may be often seen, shining with great brilliancy 
 beneath the margin of the sea. More commonly however, 
 the surface of the copper becomes oxydized, and is cov- 
 ered with a beautiful green coat. The fragments are of 
 various figures, and weigh from a few grains to several 
 ounces. A few years ago a piece of the pure metal v\as 
 discovered, weighing fifteen pounds. It is closely com- 
 
pressed in liie rock, filling up the interstices very per- 
 fectly, and therefore to procure good specimens, a ham- 
 mer and chissel are indispensably necessary. The amyg- 
 daloid is gradually worn down by the constant attrition of 
 the large loose blocks covering its surface, hence the cop- 
 per, which is more capable of enduring this scouring pro- 
 cess, becomes disengaged, and is often found among the 
 sand and pebbles of the shore. From these circumstances 
 lias arisen the erroneous idea, that the copper is constantly 
 rising upward, and performing its own exhumation. Near 
 the extremity of the cape, and on its west side, at about 
 halt tide,’* we have been most successful in obtaining 
 flue specimens for the cabinet. Near this spot we also 
 discovered a vein of quartz, about two inches wide, pen- 
 etrating the rock downwards. This vein of quartz enclo- 
 ses reniform pieces cff pure copper, which are not seen on 
 the sides of the vein, but extend upwards in the centre of 
 its siliceous contents. A learned and elegant writer on 
 Geology, Dr. Ure of Glasgriw, lias brought forward very 
 ingenious testimony to prove tlie igneous oiigin of trap ; 
 but while he admits that this class of rocks has been formed 
 by heat, it is in our humble opinion extremely singular, 
 that he should suppose their mineral contents have been 
 formed by the infiltration of water. He says, — ‘‘ The 
 infiltration of quartz and carbonate of lime in aqueoiis so- 
 lution through rocks, is proved by the formation of chal- 
 cedonies, quartz crystals, and calcareous spar, in the 
 inflated cavities of trap rocks, and may be traced through 
 every stage of the process.’^ Is it not more probable, 
 that while the rocks themselves have evidently been 
 fonned and crystalized by heat, that the iiumeioiis crys- 
 
236 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 tals contained in them and widely disseminated through- 
 out their solid masses, were also formed by the same 
 powerful agent. A great distinction should be made be- 
 tween those chalcedonies found in the very vitals of trap 
 rocks, and such as are produced by the remarkable pro- 
 cess of petrifaction. What will become of the fact pre- 
 sented in the quartz vein of Cape D’Or ? Was the quartz 
 collected by infiltration, and did it contain “ inflated ca- 
 vities” ? If so, those cavities would doubtless have been 
 coated with crystals. Was the pure malleable native 
 metal also filtered first through the rock, and then through 
 the quartz, so as to fill up the cavities This certainly 
 is a roundabout way of arriving at the conclusion. While 
 it is generally admitted, that the trap rocks have been 
 formed by heat, to us it is equally plain, that both the 
 quartz and its enclosed copper, have also been in a melt- 
 ed state, and cast into the fissures where they are now 
 found, whether they are in the quartz or amygdaloid. 
 
 It is acknowledged by the best modern Geologists, 
 that all the rocks possessing a crystaline structure, have 
 been produced by heat. In granite and porphyry there 
 are frequently large crystals of mica, quartz, and feldspar. 
 Few have ever supposed that those rocks have been col- 
 lected in an aqueous solvent ; but it is generally believed 
 that they are the result of ignition. It cannot then ap- 
 pear singular, that the minerals so beautifully crystalized 
 in the hornblende rocks, have also been aided in forming 
 regular solids through the medium of caloric. These 
 few observations on this subject have not been introduced 
 with a view of entering into the details connected wiili 
 such arguments, but merely to accompany the facts as 
 
TRAP DUTRICT. 
 
 237 
 
 they are presented by the copper of Cape D’Or, and to 
 afford a hint of its probable origin ; for few who will ex- 
 amine the trap rocks of Nova Scotia, will ever believe 
 that they and their numerous minerals, were ever produ- 
 ced by any other cause than that which would accompany 
 volcanic influence. Thus far a description of the copper 
 has only been given where it appears in the amygdaloid ; 
 but it was also discovered in the amorphous trap, of 
 which the perpendicular cliff on the west side of the 
 cape is composed ; and finally it was found in the soil 
 covering this promontory. This circumstance was by no 
 means surprising ; for as the rocks at their surface are 
 undergoing a gradual decay, the copper being better qua- 
 lified to resist the action of the elements, is left among 
 the debris of. its more decomposable gangue. 
 
 On the east side of the cape the amygdaloid receives 
 into its composition a large proportion of red sandstone, 
 by which it is rendered less durable. Here again the 
 waves that roll upon the shore, with almost irresistable 
 fury, have worn out extraordinary chasms and arches, 
 which are placed over the pathway at low water, affording 
 a grand and imposing spectacle. Beneath one of these 
 natural arches, we discovered a narrow vein of jasper, 
 containing like the quartz already mentioned, irregular 
 fragments of native copper. In one instance the sulphate 
 of that metal was discovered, and it nearly equals in pu- 
 rity the blue-stone of commerce. The green carbonate 
 of copper is however, more common, and frequently 
 enters into the composition of other minerals in this 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 short distance eastward of the cape, the con- 
 
238 
 
 TRAP UlbTRlCT. 
 
 flicting currents of the coast have worn out a semicircular 
 opening, called Horse Shoe Cove. At this place there 
 are veins of calcareous spar, containing small particles of 
 copper. Crystals of analcime, sometimes transparent, 
 and sometimes coloured green by the carbonate of that 
 metal, are found in cavities in the rocks. Irregular crys- 
 tals of calcareous spar are often beautifully coated with 
 delicate crystals of stilbite : some of these also have re- 
 ceived the green tinge and afford rare specimens. Seve- 
 ral other minerals appear at the cove, but they are simi- 
 lar to those of the Trap District in general, and may be 
 obtained at Blomidon in greater perfection. 
 
 Eastward of Horse Shoe Cove, a bold headland 
 extends into the sea, and prevents the pedestrian from 
 passing that way even at low water. Having entered the 
 Bay westward of Spencer’s Island, the red sandstone 
 will be seen dipping beneath the trap, which even here, 
 limited as its dimensions are, retains the same Geological 
 relations, so clearly manifested in the more extensive 
 ranges of the North Mountains. The appearance of pure 
 copper at the above cape, has proved a fertile source of 
 reasoning to many ; some have supposed tliat a consider- 
 able quantity of gold is contained in the copper. It has 
 been analysed by good chemists, and it certainly is not 
 auriferous ; the copper itself is extremely pure and mal- 
 leable. Much labour has been applied to discover what 
 prospects might here be afforded for mining ; but the 
 most accurate observations have resulted in the conclu- 
 sion, that the quantity of metal is not suflicient to offer 
 any profit to such as might be disposed to open the rocks 
 in search of its hidden treasures. Near the cove, we 
 

 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 239 
 
 discovered llie w^mains, not of a fossil liyena, but of a 
 small furnace, which had been secretly erected by a parly 
 of Americans, who are ever ready to lay hold of the j)re- 
 cioiis metals, and probably expected to obtain a quantity 
 of gold at a cheap rate. The project was nevertheless 
 abandoned, for reasons already given. Mr. Backwell, 
 an English gentleman, dug a pit on the top of the cape, 
 but for what useful purpose w^e never could discover. It 
 is among our mountains of granite, slate, and transition 
 limestone, where these treasures are concealed, and not 
 among those recent and isolated collections of hornblende 
 rocks, where all the ores have been smelted, and are now 
 in a pure state, from the heat which accompanied their 
 formation. 
 
 SPENCER’S ISLAND. 
 
 Spencer’s Island is situated about three miles from 
 Cape D’Or, and although its position is somewhat shel- 
 tered from the rapidity of the tides, by the headlands to 
 the westward, it is gradually crumbling down. It is sepa- 
 rated from the main land by a narrow channel, through 
 which the tide rushes with great force. This channel is 
 gradually becoming wider : an old and respectable inha- 
 bitant upon the coast informed us, that he can remember 
 when he was used to wade at low tide from the peninsula 
 of Cape D’Or to the Island. The channel is now 
 several fathoms deep, and half a mile wide : such are 
 the changes daily going forward in every part of the 
 country. Spencer’s Island is composed of basaltic trap, 
 that on its south-east side rises abruptly from the bay. 
 
 i| 
 
 1 
 
O.^O TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 At its north base there is a pretty beach» where a landing 
 can be safely effected. The minerals here consist of sili- 
 ceous sinter, jasper, and perfect crystals of quartz. The 
 latter appear under several different forms, the most com- 
 mon of which is the six-sided prism. The siliceous sin- 
 ter Is much inferior to that found at Two Islands, where 
 it appears in more interesting varieties. 
 
 CAPE SHARP. 
 
 The next headland composed of trap is Cape Sharp, 
 situated about fifteen miles from Cape D’Or, and opposite 
 the coast of Blomidon. The intermediate rocks are sand- 
 stone and shale ; these afford scenery which forms a pleas- 
 ing contrast with the lofty peaks of the basalt, standing 
 like centinels upon the boundary of the Bay, and resisting 
 more powerfully its daily encroachments. On the east 
 side of this cape, the red sandstone will be again seen, 
 shelving downward beneath the amorphous trap, and form- 
 ing a small valley between it and the shale. Here again 
 the crystaline rock appears to have been produced by some 
 fortuitous circumstance, and resting upon the strata of 
 marly sandstone, lifts its summit far above die level of the 
 adjoining country. At this place the shale and red sand- 
 stone meet, and although the strata of the former are 
 almost vertical, it is evident diey dip beneath the latter, 
 declaring its more ancient character. The red sandstone 
 here contains veins of selenite, that often appears in large 
 and beautiful transparent plates. The cape is about two 
 miles in circumference, and affords the bold scenery so 
 peculiar to basaltic districts. Even here the poor inha- 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 241 
 
 bitants have discovered the fertility of the soil covering 
 trap, and have ascended tlie lofty precipice to obtain its 
 advantages. At one particular situation on the east side 
 of the cape, the rock is a coarse brecciated greenstone, 
 composed of angular fragments of trap, amygdaloid, and 
 a dark coloured sandstone. In this aggregate we discov- 
 ered a large geode of amethyst, that would have contained 
 before it was broken, two gallons. Its inner surface was 
 studded with large and regular crystals of a deep violet 
 colour ; over tliese crystals, extremely delicate atoms of 
 siliceous sinter, form a light incrustation, so that the in- 
 ternal superficies of the geode appears as if it were covered 
 with an autumnal frost. A similar appearance was observ- 
 ed among the minerals at Blomidon, and we can only ac- 
 count for it by supposing, that after the crystals of ame- 
 tliyst had been constructed, a kind of gas or vapour con- 
 taining sinter intensely heated, had alighted on their sur- 
 faces, and supplied them with a singular covering. Sev- 
 eral pieces of agate, composed of chalcedony and carnelian, 
 have at different times been found among the ruins of the 
 cape. A large vein of calcareous spar, occupies a place 
 between the amygdaloid and trap. At another site, a con- 
 siderable vein of the magnetic oxide of iron fills a similar 
 situation. In the spring of 1834, a mass of stilbite that 
 would weigh upwards of two hundred pounds, fell from 
 the overhanging precipice, and supplied a great number of 
 beautiful specimens. Many of these have been forwarded 
 to English and American Naturalists, who have acknow- 
 ledged them equal in beauty to any hitherto discovered. 
 The mass was composed of large fasciculi, or groups of 
 
 diverging crystals, of a straw yellow colour, and resembled 
 
 31 
 
242 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 sheaves of wheat. During one of our visits to this cape, 
 we collected a number of masses, covered with large and 
 splendent crystals of amethyst ; but being unable to remove 
 them at the time, on our return a part of the cliff liad fal- 
 len, and our treasure now lies buried beneath a heap of 
 stones, from which it will probably never be rescued. 
 
 PARTRIDGE ISLAND. 
 
 Four miles eastward of Cape Sharp, Partridge 
 Island, so justly celebrated for its numerous minerals and 
 picturesque scenery, rises in lofty grandeur from the Bay. 
 Its name has probably arisen from the numerous broods of 
 partridges reported to have frequented its surface. These 
 however have long since disappeared, leaving the fox sole 
 occupant of its elevated area. This island is northward 
 of Blomidon about six miles, and separated from it by the 
 narrow outlet of the Basin of Mines called ‘‘ The Gut.” 
 These strong collections of basalt, may be compared to 
 the pillars of a gateway, and being more unyielding in 
 their natures, have resisted the impetuous tides more faith- 
 fully than the shale and sandstone which they defend. 
 While Blomidon protects the softer rocks of Cornwallis 
 from the encroachments of the aqueous element. Par- 
 tridge Island and Cape Sharp, on the opposite side of 
 the Gut, stand like giants guarding the coast of Parrs- 
 borough. The great body of water rushing forward to 
 fill the Basin of Mines during the flood tide, is thus 
 compelled to pass this narrow opening, and rushes with 
 fearful rapidity along its confines. Through this con- 
 tracted but deep channel, the tide runs eight miles an 
 
hour during the spring tides ; and when it is considered, 
 tliat it rises upwards of fifty feet high in the short space of 
 six hours, its violence cannot be surprising. Olten in 
 calm weather, when vessels have been prevented from 
 anchoring by their distance from the shore, they are seen 
 passing along with great speed stern foremost, through the 
 Gut,” over the rippling surface of the Basin. Fre- 
 quently a single flood will sweep them fifty miles, either 
 towards or from the place of their destination. It is on 
 this account that the harbour of Partridge Island is so ex- 
 tremely advantageous 5 the peculiar direction of the cur- 
 rents, with a light air of wind, almost always allows th^n 
 to make that port, where they are often collected in great 
 numbers. Partridge Island not only offers a retreat from 
 the fury of the tides, but also in tempestuous weather af- 
 fords a shelter both on its east and west sides. A fine 
 navigable river at hand, where a thousand vessels may lie 
 in safety, opens in the rear ; here during the cold and 
 blustering months of autumn, their masts are seen rising 
 almost among the clusters of spruce, like leafless pines 
 among the underw'ood. 
 
 From Cornwallis to Digby, following the course of 
 the shore, not a solitary harbour of any importance can 
 be found : also from Cumberland Bay to Truro, on the 
 north shore of the Bay of Fundy and Basin of Mines, 
 the coast affords no protection to vessels in stormy 
 w’ealher, except that which may be found at Partridge 
 Island. Hence that harbour is invaluable, and although 
 not duly appreciated by many in the present day, it will 
 at some future period become a port of much public im- 
 portance. It is curious to observe the deep excavations 
 
244 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 made by the sea, at those situations where the basaltic 
 trap rocks have not been thrown up on the coast. West 
 Bay, situated between Partridge Island and Cape Sharp, 
 is an example of the speedy destruction of shale, com- 
 pared with the greenstone. Notwithstanding the locality 
 to which we again refer is called an Island, it is only sur- 
 rounded by the water at very high tides, having a level 
 beach connecting it with the mainland. Here again, the 
 red sandstone dips beneath the amygdaloid, similar to its 
 sub-position at Cape D’Or. 
 
 On the shore of West Bay, the shale in vertical strata 
 meets the red sandstone, rendering it difficult to decide 
 which of those rocks should claim priority. The shale, 
 however, belongs to the coal formation, and is evidently 
 of more ancient composition than its neighbour. 
 
 On the west side of Partridge Island, the basaltic 
 trap deposited on amygdaloid, forms a sublime and stu- 
 pendous cliff, tliree hundred feet high. At some places 
 it is undermined, and hangs frowning over the visitor who 
 ventures to stroll among the fragments at its base. Be- 
 neath the most lofty part of the precipice, a cone-shaped 
 insulated mass of amygdaloid rises to considerable height, 
 only a few yards from the base of the more exalted sum- 
 mit of the Island. Even this limited portion of the rock, 
 is beautifuUy topped with regular basalts. At the south 
 east extremity of the island, several small detached and 
 grotesque rocks, form a kind of rampart in front of a rug- 
 ged point. These rocks are beautifully crowned with low 
 evergreens, above which the spear-shaped top of the 
 spruce mocks the fury of the waves beneath. Viewed 
 from the summit of tlic lofty precipice, or from the beach 
 
study beside him ; the calculating nierchaiU would be in- 
 vigorated for new labours ; and the fair daughters of our 
 land would receive another charm from the refreshing in- 
 fluence of a pure and wholesome atmosphere. 
 
 Among the numerous minerals of Partridge Island, is 
 calcareous spar, often in large and regular crystals, some- 
 times transparent, and of a light straw colour. When a 
 few laminae have been separated from the surfaces of cleav- 
 age, the rhomboidal masses are sufficiently pellucid to allow 
 the finest prints to be seen through them ; and as the 
 mineral is possessed of double refraction, each line be- 
 comes duplicated, and may be read at two different places 
 upon the paper. This carbonate of lime is beautifully 
 phosphorescent when thrown upon hot iron, and if then 
 put in a dark place, will emit a clear gold-coloured light. 
 Sometimes large and perfect rhomboids, measuring an 
 inch and a half in diameter, are sealed upon thin plates of 
 stilbite. The rhombs are separated from each other, and 
 nearly approximate the primary form. The spar also ap- 
 pears lining veins in the amygdaloid, and occurs in small 
 splendent hemitropic crystals. These from having the 
 acute angles of the rhombs turned up, appear to shew 
 tetraedral or wedge-shaped summits. Large pieces on 
 the shore, when broken, exhibit groups of stilbite in fas- 
 ciculi, or bundles resembling sheaves of wheat : upon 
 these the carbonate of lime in regular forms is secured, 
 sometimes upon the base of the rhomb, and often hemi- 
 tropically. We opened a rich vein at the base of the cliff*, 
 and after much labour were rewarded with large masses of 
 wine-coloured stilbite, curiously studded with crystals of 
 spar, and where the spar is deficient, delicate crystals of 
 
bright red heulandite tips the bundles of that mineral, and 
 renders the collection not only highly interesting on ac- 
 count of its singular associations, but gives it a peculiar 
 splendour seldom met with. Often thin plates of stilbite 
 are separated from half an inch to two inches, by crystals 
 of the carbonate of lime. Often small cavities are left void, 
 when the sides of the rhombic angles are seen interlacing 
 each other, in a manner seldom witnessed at other places. 
 Many other varieties might be mentioned, in which the 
 spar and stilbite have been upon terms equally friendly. 
 The subjacent rock contains numerous hollow places, sur- 
 rounded with colourless, transparent, and rhombic crys- 
 tals of chabasie : this mineral hotvever, possesses a variety 
 of colours, varying from gold yellow to a bright red, which 
 added to its peculiar glassy appearance, renders it easily 
 distinguished from the carbonate of lime. 
 
 Arragonite is a mineral, that according to Stromeyer, 
 is composed of carb. lime 95.29, and carb. of strontian 
 .50. This singular substance has exercised the talents of 
 many distinguished chemists, who have endeavoured to 
 discover its constituents. It occurs in the amygdaloid of 
 Partridge Island, in six-sided prisms, terminated by die- 
 dral and tetraedral summits : frequently all the angles of 
 the prism and pyramid are truncated, and the crystal as- 
 sumes a cylindrical form. It is often transparent, and 
 possesses double refraction : in nitric acid it dissolves with 
 effervescence, and small fragments split when held in the 
 flame of a candle. Perhaps the aiTagonite is the same 
 substance Messrs. Jackson and Alger have called phos- 
 phate of lime, a mineral which generally occurs in primary 
 rocks, and one we have been unable to find at the above 
 
248 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 l)lace. The arragonlte was first discovered at Arragon, in 
 Spain, hence its name has been derived. That variation 
 of apopliyllite called albin, has also been observed in small 
 pieces among the fragments of the beach : this mineral 
 appears in right square prisms, the terminal angles are 
 more or less truncated, sometimes producing octaedrons. 
 It is now becoming scarce, and few good specimens can 
 be procured at the Island. Several veins of jasper enter 
 the rock, and ascend with it a considerable distance. 
 Chalcedony, and botryoidal cacholong, may be easily- 
 obtained in rich varieties ; the latter frequently encloses 
 geodes of amethyst, and small agates, similar to those 
 found at Cape Blomidon. Sometimes the chalcedony 
 forms geodes of a milky white colour, and encloses cavi- 
 ties occupied with splendent chalcedonic crystals. Sev- 
 eral veins of magnetic iron ore, run in tortuous veins up 
 the cliff. Two of these are each a foot wide, and although 
 composed of rich ore, are useless, for Mining speculation. 
 Large pieces of hornstone may be procured along the 
 shore, many of which would be extremely beautiful if 
 ground and polished. 
 
 Opal and semi-opal, are also among the interesting 
 specimens of Partridge Island. We have obtained two 
 small nodules of the former — ^both resemble pieces of 
 wax. Both varieties are greatly improved by the labour 
 of the lapidary, and when they are cut and polished, afford 
 beautiful gems. This mineral was much esteemed by the 
 ancients. Nonias, a senator, suffered banishment rather 
 than relinquish to Mark Anthony a precious opal. Of all 
 the minerals for which Partridge Island has been celebra- 
 ted, none is more admired and carefully sought for than 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 2iS 
 
 the amethyst. This gem is now becoming scarce, and 
 nothing but the downfall of the clilf will bring it to view. 
 Monsieur DeMonis, a leading character among the French 
 emigrants to this country during the reign of Henry IV., 
 was so much pleased with these brilliant crystals, that he 
 conveyed a number of them to France, where they were 
 received by the King and Queen as a token of his loyalty. 
 Many similar specimens have been transported to Europe, 
 where they are much admired. 
 
 The north side of the island descends with a some- 
 what gradual slope. About half the distance from its sum- 
 mit towards the base, a large vein of the magnetic oxide 
 of iron breaks through the soil ; the ore is of a good qua- 
 lity, and sufficiently abundant to supply a smelting furnace. 
 The waters of a spring in the neighbourhood, are impreg- 
 nated with the ferruginous oxide, and possess medicinal 
 virtues superior to far more celebrated pools. The south 
 side of the island is entirely barren of good specimens, 
 and the minerals on its east side are like those of the west- 
 ern cliffs. 
 
 SWAN CREEK, AND TWO ISLANDS. 
 
 About five miles eastward of Partridge Island, an 
 inconsiderable indentation in the coast, has' received the 
 appellation of Swan Creek. At the entrance of the creek, 
 and a mile from the mainland, two small Islands are situ- 
 ated, and have received the above appropriate name. 
 Approaching Swan Creek from the westward, the atten- 
 tion of the Geologist will be arrested by a bold bluff 
 called Clarke’s Head, formed by a confused collection 
 
i>50 
 
 TKAP DISTUICT. 
 
 of red sandstone, shale, limestone, and gypsum. These 
 have been noticed when a description was given of the 
 Red Sandstone District. Upon a thick formation of the 
 sandstone, and forming the surface of the Bluff, a thin 
 insulated layer of basaltic trap extends a short distance 
 to the northward. This layer is unconformable to the 
 strata of sandstone, with which it forms a peculiar con- 
 trast, neither rock having had its colour changed by mix- 
 ture. If it be admitted that trap rock is the production 
 of volcanic heat, a fact not to be doubted, it really appears 
 that the crater from which this detached mass has issued, 
 has been demolished or swept away. From its appear- 
 ance it must have been the very border of a column of 
 melted matter that overflowed this section of the country. 
 This small collection of hornblende rock, lies above the 
 shale, sandstone, and lime ; and as it was doubtless co- 
 eval with the ponderous masses of the majestic Blomi- 
 don on the opposite coast, it plainly proves that the trap 
 rocks of Nova Scotia are of recent formation. 
 
 No more of this rock is seen until after crossing 
 Swan Creek, where another isolated collection of the 
 massive kind appears, resting upon the sandstone as 
 usual. Here also wherever the trap occurs, the land is 
 elevated just in proportion to its extent ; and as it was 
 before observed, it forms a crown to the substrata be- 
 neath. The basaltic rock at this locality passes by gra- 
 dual steps into amygdaloid, and contains many beautiful 
 and interesting minerals. About two furlongs from the 
 creek, the amygdaloidal trap is seen in immediate contact 
 with the sandstone. The trap along this coast appears 
 in insulated .and detached portions, forming several re- 
 
 I 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 251 
 
 markable prominences and obtuse elevations, above the 
 subjacent members of the red marl group. It appears 
 like a number of separate masses, that have been super- 
 imposed at several different points, and which are dis- 
 joined by the less elevated freestone. These elevated 
 accumulations extend but a few hundred yards from the 
 shore of the basin, and have the sandstone rising up their 
 sides. The whole of these singular collections of the 
 hornblende rocks, including the Two Islands, and parts 
 of the Five Islands, appear like immense molehills, raised 
 from the materials of which the surrounding earth is com- 
 posed. The largest of these mounds will not exceed a 
 mile in circumference. If they have been formed from 
 the melted lava of a crater, that vomited its liquid con- 
 tents upon the surface, and discharged boiling torrents 
 upon the sandstone, filling up hollows and ravines that 
 were placed in its way, then these remarkable cone shaped 
 hills of trap cease to be a phenomenon. At each of those 
 places it is curious to observe, the gradual passage of 
 shale and red sandstone, first into a perfect vescicular 
 amygdaloid, and finally into compact trap. In some in- 
 stances the layers of sandstone are filled with angular 
 masses of compact greenstone, forming a coarse breccia. 
 It has been supposed by an American Geologist, that the 
 shale, sandstone, and trap of this place, have been con- 
 verted into a coarse breccia, and finally into amygdaloid. 
 But, if it be true that the latter rock has been formed and 
 elevated by heat, (and there is most unequivocal testimo- 
 ny supporting the fact,) it is necessary to enquire of what 
 materials amygdaloid and basalt were originally compos- 
 ed, and the changes those materials have sidfered from 
 
252 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 volcanic influence. itli the nature of the ingredients 
 from which granite, porphyry, and other crystaline rocks 
 have resulted, by the application of heat, we are alto- 
 gether unacquainted, and little is known of those substan- 
 ces from which lava is formed in the bowels of volcanoes. 
 One thing however appears certain, that the amygdaloid 
 of Swan Creek, has not been formed of the trap that 
 lies above it ; and as both the trap and amygdaloid are 
 evidently volcanic productions, it is most probable they 
 were both produced by the same cause. Let it for a 
 moment be supposed, that a crater is opened and its 
 melted matter poured out upon the soft sandstone : the 
 result would be a mixture like that now seen. If it be 
 observed that the amygdaloid is unlike the basaltic rock 
 in its structure, it may be replied, that these two rocks 
 agree very nearly in their chemical characters, and re- 
 semble each other more than the different layers of lava 
 in some volcanoes now in operation. 
 
 From the splendid discoveries of Sir Humphrey 
 Davy, a cause of volcanic heat has been introduced, not 
 only plausible but extremely probable. Of these. Dr. 
 Ure justly remarks, the metals of the alkalies and 
 earths, from their paramount affinity for oxygen, could 
 not possibly exist on the surface, but only in the interior 
 of the globe. On this principle volcanic fires would be 
 occasioned wherever those metals were extensively ex- 
 posed to the action of air and water. Thus also the 
 formation of lavas might be explained, as well as that of 
 granites, porphyries, basalts, and many other crystaline 
 rocks, from the slow cooling of the products of combus- 
 tion, or oxidation of these remarkable substances.” Should 
 
TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 253 
 
 any one enquire how were the isolated portions of trap of 
 the islands and elevations on the north side of the Bay of 
 Fundy and Basin of Mines formed, so far from any con- 
 tinuous range of that rock, a reply is readily furnished in 
 the volcanoes of other countries, where the smoke of 
 their burning materials is pouring in clouds through nu- 
 merous openings on the surface of the earth. Bo the 
 west of the valley of Limagne, immediately behind Cler- 
 mont, rises a gigantic plateau, about IGOO feet above the 
 valley, and 3000 above tbe sea. On this rests a chain of 
 volcanic hills, about 70 in number, composed of steep 
 cones called tbe Puys of the Monts Dome, which form 
 with the ashes and scoria scattered around, an irregular 
 ridge from 500 to 1000 feet high, and about 18 miles 
 in length by two in breadth.” “ In the ancient Province 
 of Velay, Mr. Scrope counted more than one hundred 
 and fifty cones, so thickly sown along the axis of the 
 granitic ridge, that separates the Loire and Allier from Pal- 
 haquet to Pradilla, as generally to touch each other by their 
 bases, and to form a continuous chain.” These cones 
 are all volcanic, and many similar occurrences might be 
 quoted ; but we forbear, feeling confident that it would not 
 be a difficult task to prove, that in Nova Scotia those 
 remarkable openings in the earth have poured forth tor- 
 rents of liquid trap, and that the conical hills of basalt 
 along the coast of the Bay and Basin, have been like 
 so many enormous chimnies ascending from the earth at 
 some former period. 
 
 Having thus given some idea of the singular struc- 
 ture of this part of the Trap District, so far as its rocks 
 have been examined, and having described the shale. 
 
254 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 sandstone, &c. of this part of the Province, when treat- 
 ing of the other rocks upon this coast ; it seems proper 
 to remark here, that at Clarke’s Head, McKay’s Head; 
 and other situations where the shale approximates the 
 overlieing rocks, the greatest possible confusion is mani- 
 fest. At one situation, the shale has apparently been 
 partially melted, its strata are broken, contorted, and 
 thrown upwards in a vertical position. At another place, 
 black shale, limestone, red sandstone, and gypsum, are 
 collected in confused hetips, and all of these bear the 
 marks of having been under the influence of heat. Nu- 
 merous are the minerals of this interesting coast, ^ for the 
 number of materials which have thus been exposed to 
 some powerful agent, have produced a corresponding 
 variety in their contents. Those belonging to the basaltic 
 trap are few, while the vescicular rock abounds in rare 
 and beautiful specimens. 
 
 Near Swan Creek the rock contains large plates of 
 analcime ; some of these are of a dark brown colour, others 
 have .their crystals of pure white piled one upon another, 
 frequently resembling bunches of grapes. In these crys- 
 tals the cube is greatly modified, and the trapezoedron 
 under twenty-four equal trapeziums, is produced. Often 
 large masses of analcime are thickly covered with transpa- 
 rent and elongated groups ofneedlestone ; these projecting 
 outwards, give the aggregate an appearance similar to that 
 of the urchin covered with thorns. F requenlly this sj>e- 
 cies of zeolite exhibits long crystals not larger in diameter 
 than hairs, and may be blown away with the breath ; and 
 instead of bearing the common appellation of needle-stone, 
 might more properly be called hair-stone. Veins in the 
 
TKAP DISTRICT. 
 
 255 
 
 amygdaloid are often occupied vviih beautiful crystals of 
 pearly heulandite : this mineral also appears in plates con- 
 taining the brown variety. Large pieces of siliceous sin- 
 ter are covered with delicate bundles of stilbite, interwoven 
 with the heulandite, and superior in beauty to any we have 
 seen from other countries. Chabasie in large yellow and 
 wine-red crystals, in rhomboids, is seen sticking to the 
 side of a low cliff, where with the aid of a ladder the most 
 splendid specimens can be obtained. Often chabasie, 
 stilbite, and heulandite, are associated, and may be picked 
 up among the ruins of the coast. Indeed the Mineralogist 
 will be well rewarded, and a cabinet richly stocked with 
 the curious objects of science, in the distance of a few 
 yards. Half a mile eastward of the creek the trap forms 
 a bold precipice, with a slope at its base composed of the 
 detritus formed by the falling rocks : here also the amyg- 
 daloid abounds in minerals. 
 
 McKay’s Head is a lofty overhanging cliff, affording 
 the most rare and beautiful crystals of siliceous sinter. 
 Tins mineral occupies geodes and veins in the clifi', and 
 appears under a variety ol forms. Stalactical, mamillary, 
 and branching groups of crystals, may be easily procured, 
 imitating flowers, leaves, and a variety of other bgures ; 
 its lustre is shining, pearly or vitreous, and sometimes it 
 is shaded with a light tinge of red. In a large open fissure 
 the sinter is perfectly covered with delicate crystals of 
 hog tooth spar, so finely pointed as to wound the fingers 
 when they are incautiously handled. Among the curious 
 specimens of the siliceous mineral found here, is that va- 
 riety called raichaelite, first discovered by Dr. J. W, 
 Webster, in the Island of St. Michael, from which its 
 
25G 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 name has been applied. The michaelite forms a net-like 
 incrustation on the interior of cavities abundant in the 
 rock ; sometimes it constitutes delicate wreaths and 
 chains, over which branching crystals of the sinter are 
 curiously congregated, affording rare and beautiful groups 
 that are unrivalled by any in the world ; its colours are 
 pure white, greyish white, and light cherry red, lustre 
 glistening and pearly. With these minerals there fre- 
 quently occur small geodes, lined with crystals of ame- 
 thystine sinter, a gem of the greatest beauty. These 
 crystals, like those of quartz, are six-sided prisms, 
 terminated with six-sided pyramids, and are well adapted 
 for rings, necklaces, &c. 
 
 The above minerals generally occur in volcanic 
 countries : they are abundant at the hot springs of Ice- 
 land, Isles of Ischia, and St. Michael’s. In Iceland the 
 sinter forms a deposit around the celebrated Geysers ; 
 hence another witness is produced at the above situation, 
 to prove the volcanic origin of tlie trap rocks of Nova- 
 Scotia. Jasper, calcareous spar, and jaspery red oxide 
 of iron, are among the detritus of the shore, where 
 numerous and singular combinations have been exposed. 
 
 The largest of the Two Islands, or that which is 
 situated nearest the shore, is about three quarters of a 
 mile in circumference, and presents a bold and perpen- 
 dicular precipice on each of its sides : it being accessible 
 only at one spot, where by climbing some rugged rocks 
 the summit may be gained. On its east side there is a 
 great collection of debris produced by a launch of the 
 precipice a few years ago. Not far from this place a 
 vein of compact brown oxide of iron, about three inches 
 
 Q 
 
TUAP DISTRICT. 
 
 251 
 
 wide, enters the trap and may be seen extending up tlie 
 escarpment. Within a few feet of the vein of ferrugi- 
 nous oxide there is another of moss agate, varying from 
 half an inch to tluee inches in width. The base of this 
 agate is transparent chalcedony, in which numerous 
 brown filaments are curiously intermixed, perfectly re- 
 sembling moss. Pieces of this agate, after they have 
 been polished, will vie in beauty with any hitherto disco- 
 vered. Wherever the oxide of iron approximates the 
 agate nearly, the latter becomes opaque, and it is easy to 
 observe the gradual passage of the iron into the agate : 
 therefore the filaments so much like moss, are delicate 
 crystals of the oxide, which have insinuated themselves 
 into the chalcedony during its fluid state, or probably 
 when both were cooling down from an intense heat. 
 In this instance, however, it is by no means probable 
 that the moss in the agate was ever the plant itself, as 
 some have supposed. These, and many other kinds of 
 agate, have arisen from circumstances evidently acciden- 
 tal, and their various figures are only imitative. 
 
 On the south side of this island the cliff reaches its 
 greatest altitude ; here a large vein of beautiful jasper 
 winds its way ilirough the compact rock. We were sur- 
 prised to find small pieces of this jasper on the border of 
 a lake fifteen miles from the Two Islands, knowing 
 it was impossible that it could ever be found among 
 the strata in that neighbourhood. But pursuing our en- 
 quiries still farther, we discovered that on the side of the 
 lake, the aborigines of the country had manufactured their 
 arrow points,” and the fragments of jasper now found 
 
 upon the spot, had been brouglit from the Islands, and 
 
 33 
 
25S 
 
 TRAP DISTRICT. 
 
 were the discarded splinters from the points of their wea- 
 pons. We have now in our possession perfect spear- 
 shaped arrow points, composed of jasper, identical with 
 that in the vein near Swan Creek, and others which have 
 been made of pieces of chalcedony from Blomidon. The 
 Indians, in these instances, certainly selected the hardest 
 of stones for cutting instruments, but by what means 
 they could have broken them into such regular lances, it 
 is not easy to determine. There are now before us seve- 
 ral stone axes, which like the arrow heads, were used 
 by the natives of Nova Scotia previous to the introduc- 
 tion of iron and steel by the Europeans. These relics 
 illustrate the great advancement of useful knowledge, 
 since their proprietors pursued the bounding moose over 
 our mountains ; and happy would it have been for our red 
 brethren, if the necessary implements of husbandry, and 
 the chace, had been put into their hands, unaccompanied 
 with habits and vices, which have so nearly annihilated 
 their race. Between tliese islands there is a narrow 
 channel, and tlie Mineralogist may drive a gig to each of 
 those romantic spots at low water ; but his visit must be 
 short, or the coming tide will surround him, and an es- 
 cape be rendered impracticable. The outermost of the 
 Two Islands is neither so large nor so lofty as the inner 
 one, but is far more remarkable on account of the little 
 coves and hollows that have been gradually worn out by 
 the violence of the tides. On its south side the sea has 
 dug out a deep notch in the leaning wall, ready to plunge 
 into the waves dashing at its base. The west side pre- 
 sents an excavated front, which is rendered truly singu- 
 lar on account of a very grotesque opening, that runs en- 
 
lirely through die island and beneath its ponderous masses. 
 This opening is near high water mark, and is formed be- 
 neath a majestic gothic ai'ch of trap, and extends under 
 and through the island, allowing sufficient space to drive 
 a coach and four. The distance through the passage is 
 about thirty yards, and the archway opens into a most 
 romantic narrow cove, forming a natural tunnel beneath 
 the rocks and herbage above. Here also minerals are 
 abundant : some of the richest pieces of stilbite we have 
 ever seen, were found projecting from the sides of the 
 archway. Analcime and heulandite, in beautiful speci- 
 mens, the latter lining the walls of a deep and narrow 
 chasm, \vill be readily secured at this wild and romantic 
 little Island, where the eagle, fishing-hawk, and gull, have 
 long claimed an ecpial, although not undisputed title, to 
 the privilege of occupation. 
 
 FIVE ISLANDS. 
 
 The Five Islands form a small group six miles east- 
 ward of the Two Islands. Three of their number are 
 composed of trap, the other two are chiefly red sandstone, 
 and in their Geological characters are similar to the de- 
 tached portions of the overlieing rocks already described. 
 The gradual passage of sandstone into a reddish amygda- 
 loid, which is succeeded by the amorphous trap, is stiik- 
 ingly displayed among them, and the mixture of these 
 different rocks is similar to that appearing neai Swan 
 Creek. Situated about a mile from the main land, this 
 cluster of small islands is seen forming a kind of chain, in 
 front of a considerable settlement bearing their name ; 
 
and so far does the tide recede in this part of the Basin, 
 tliat these islands may be visited on horseback at low water, 
 when the tide has rolled away from their foundations, and 
 retreated from the small rivers which wind their way into 
 the country beside them. At high water they become 
 islands again, and cannot then be examined without cros- 
 sing the rapid waters of a boisterous channel. Ever ex- 
 hibiting the grandest and most picturesque scener}^, the 
 trap is lifted up in lofty colonnades, or towering walls, 
 strongly testifying that the modern theory of its origin is 
 true. The moment the sight is directed to the sandstone 
 of the neighbouring or opposite coast, the landscape be- 
 comes tame and humble, while the lofty mural cliffs of 
 the islands, shew that their rocks have been produced and 
 elevated by other causes than those which formed their 
 frail foundations. The largest of the chain is called Moose 
 Island, which probably supports an area of one hundred 
 acres : it has recently received an inhabitant, a poor in- 
 dustrious fellow, who is quite safe from the attack of the 
 midnight invader, but not so from the humid peltings of 
 the south-east gale. A second island is inaccessible on 
 all sides, and rises perpendicularly from the sea about two 
 hundred feet. Two others are less elevated and of smal- 
 ler dimensions. The most westerly island consists of 
 several needle-shaped spires of greenstone, rising from 
 fifty to an hundred feet. These are called the ‘‘ Pinna- 
 cles,’* and greatly embellish the romantic scenery of this 
 part of the coast. These islands contain but few minerals. 
 Such as have been discovered are inferior in beauty to 
 those belonging to other localities. Our last visit to the 
 Pinnacles, was in the season when the gulls aro hatching 
 
THAI* DISTRICT. 
 
 261 
 
 their broods. The ferocity of the male birds was surpris- 
 ing. Darting with great rapidity at the unexpected intru- 
 der, and within a few inches of his liead, their open beaks 
 were brouglit togetlier with a devouring snap, by no means 
 pleasing to our auricular organs. Leaving the subjects of 
 Geology and Mineralogy for a moment, the reader it is 
 hoped will pardon a short account of a natural curiosity at 
 this place, which is introduced from our manuscript |ien- 
 cilling upon the spot, and appeared in the Novascotian, in 
 1834. There is at Five Islands, in the Township oi 
 Parrsborough, a pond between two islands, of considera- 
 ble extent. Three of its sides are formed by a small ail 
 (le sac, penetrating the shore ; the other sides have evi- 
 dently been created by the violence of the sea, throwing 
 up a barrier of sand in front, so that an hour before low 
 tide, a perfect basin filled with water, clear as crystal, 
 remains. 
 
 Great numbers of fish, of difierent kinds, have been 
 incarcerated in this decoy. While they are in search of 
 food, or depositing their ova, the tide leaves them en- 
 closed in the pond, and in water about two feet deep. It 
 is curious to observe the inhabitants repairing to the spot 
 at low water, with pitchforks and other implements of 
 husbandry ; they make a deadly charge upon the bewil- 
 dered prisoners, and a great many cod, halibut and pollock 
 are caught without hook or bait. Seven hundred codfish 
 were taken at one tide ; at the same time a boy threw a 
 barrel of herrings out of the pond with his hands. • Although 
 this kind ol fishing might not afford much amusement for 
 the scientific angler, nor furnish matter for a treatise on 
 cod fishing, nevertheless the Hakes ol the inhabitants of 
 
ihc adjacent village, declare that their amusement has not 
 been unprofitable. 
 
 At Indian Point, on the main land, the trap rocks 
 descend to the beach, where several conical masses sta- 
 tioned upon a bar, afford a singular imitation of ancient 
 and dilapidated castles. The red sandstone now begins to 
 ascend to its proper level, forming shelving walls of con- 
 siderable height. The trap rocks keep their place, and 
 form tlie summit of Gerrish’s Mountain. Here they leave 
 the shore, and extend to the eastward several miles, where 
 they terminate in an abrupt jirecipice, similar to that of 
 Cape Blomidon. Thus we have followed the course of 
 the trap rocks, from Brier Island to Economy in the 
 County of Colchester, a distance of an hundred and forty 
 miles ; and throughout this extensive range, the rocks 
 abound with numerous objects of science, not rivalled by 
 any other in the world. 
 
 Concluding Remarks on the Trap Rocks of 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 Besides the abundant testimony furnished in other 
 countries, to prove the volcanic origin of Trap Rocks, 
 Nova Scotia produces in addition to those which have been 
 collected by distinguished Geologists, some of peculiar 
 interest ; many of these have already been detailed. — 
 The Rev. W. Conybeare, in a note to his paper on the 
 North East of Ireland, and in the third volume of the 
 Geological Transactions, remarks : — 
 
1st. The identity of chemical composition in basalt and 
 lava. 
 
 2nd. The constant occurrence of Trap Rocks in volcanic 
 districts. 
 
 tJrd. The confessions of the Wernerians themselves, that 
 the basalt of Auvergne is of igneous origin. 
 
 The red sandstone of Nova Scotia, is a soft granular 
 rock, forming an extensive area in the Province. Its su- 
 perficies is level and low, never rising above a certain 
 altitude. From its situation and structure, it must have 
 been deposited beneath water, and doubtless derived from 
 the detritus of older formations. Not so with the super- 
 imposed Trap Rocks ; they are hard, compact, and often 
 sonorous,— their structure is crystaline, and the changes 
 they have produced in those strata which have been in 
 contact with them, although not remarkable, are indicative 
 of a power they pt one time possessed, of heating all that 
 came in their w’ay. ^he position which the Prap Rocks 
 of Nova Scotia holds, is of much importance ; they are 
 placed unconformably upon the strata of sandstone, and 
 the height of the coimtry is exactly in proportion to the 
 tliickness of their masses, which as we have previously 
 remarked, seem to have been added by some fortuitous 
 circumstance, after the work of creation had been com- 
 pleted. The appearance of the hornblende rocks over- 
 lieing red sandstone, is by no means uncommon ; it is 
 extremely frequent in Scotland, where the trap is often 
 elevated 2000 feet above the level of the sea. “ What 
 a vast body of lava must have been ejected, to cover an 
 island like Skye, fifty miles long, and twenty broad, with 
 coulies in many places one thousand feet deep. The ha- 
 
saltic mantle of the island of Mull, is in like manner enor- 
 mous, and from these two central foci, the antique lava 
 seems to have spread over the whole district of the Trap 
 Isles, of which only small fragments are exposed to view, 
 the great portion being now engulphed in the deej), form- 
 ing dark basaltic caves, and submarine causeways.” 
 What tremendous convulsions must have shaken the prim- 
 eval ocean, when the North Mountains of Nova Scotia 
 came boiling to the surface of the earth ; and how magni- 
 ficent must the scene have been, when spiral flames and 
 curling clouds of smoke rose from their summits, and the 
 lesser cones of the north shore were giving vent to accu- 
 mulated heat. 
 
 Between eartliquakes and volcanoes there Is an inti- 
 mate relation, and where the latter has once appeared 
 they are liable to break forth again. For many centuries 
 however, the internal fires of the earth bave been subsid- 
 ing, and therefore It may not be prol«ble that the inhabi- 
 tants of this happy country, will ever be visited by those 
 calamities, that have at different periods inhumed thou- 
 sands of their fellow men. We cannot however be sur- 
 prised, if shocks of earthquakes, and trembling of this 
 planet be felt. They are only the movements of those 
 causes which have often opened fountains of burning lava, 
 or vents for the combustible materials of the earth, to 
 breathe out its swollen contents, and obtain relief from 
 concentrated internal fire. 
 
 To the Geologist such phenomena are not surprising : 
 he sees the changes the crust of the earth has already un- 
 dergone, and to which it is still liable ; he beholds the 
 wreck of a world that lias been once destroyed ; and he 
 
knows that the earth contains within her vast domains, the 
 materials of her own destruction. These only recjuire the 
 command of their Almighty Creator — when the elements 
 shall melt with fervent heat, the earth, and the works that 
 are therein shall be burnt up.” — 2d Peter, iir, 10. 
 
Agates, 
 
 Agate, Fortification, 
 Agate, Moss, 
 
 Alum, 
 
 Alum Slate, 
 Alabaster, 
 
 Albion Mines, 
 
 Albin, 
 
 Amethyst, 
 
 Amethystine Quartz, 
 Ammonites, 
 Amethystine Sinter, 
 Amygdaloid, 
 Analcime, 
 
 Annapolis, . 
 Antliracite 
 Apophyllite 
 Argentiferous Galena, 
 Arragonite, 
 
 Arsenical Pyrites, 
 Argillite, 
 
 Asbestus, 
 
 Augite, 
 
 Aylesford, 
 
 Basalt, 
 
 Basaltic Trap, 
 Barytes, Sulphate of. 
 Basin of Mines, 
 
 Blomidon, 
 
 Bog Ore, 
 
 Breccia, 
 
 Briar Island, 
 
268 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 't : 
 
 Carriboo Bog, 
 
 77 
 
 Cardiuni Elongatum, 
 
 61 
 
 Calcareous Spar, 
 
 180, 195, 197, 255 
 
 Chalcedony, 
 
 178, 180, 183, 241 
 
 White 
 
 183 
 
 Carbonate of Iron, 
 
 182 
 
 Carnelian, 
 
 241 
 
 Carnelian, Red, 
 
 183 
 
 Cape Split, 
 
 206 
 
 Cacholong 
 
 215, 220, 248 
 
 Chalcedonyx 
 
 215, 216 
 
 Cape Chignecto, . 
 
 230 
 
 Cape D’Or, . 
 
 233 
 
 Cape Sharp, 
 
 240 
 
 Carbonate of Lime, 
 
 246 
 
 Cairngorm, 
 
 20, 34 
 
 Chlorite, 
 
 . 35, 174, 198 
 
 Chlorite, Earthy, 
 
 . 33 
 
 Chlorite Slate, 
 
 22 
 
 Chabasie, 
 
 174, 178, 255 
 
 Chutes’ Cove, 
 
 189 
 
 Clay Slate District, 
 
 24 
 
 Clare, Township of . 
 
 25 
 
 Clements, 
 
 26 
 
 Clay Iron-stone, 
 
 115 
 
 Co])peras, 
 
 27 
 
 Coraline, 
 
 47 
 
 Cobaltic Sulphuret of Lead, 
 
 85 
 
 Cornu Ammonis, 
 
 91 
 
 Coal Formation 
 
 101 
 
 Origin of 
 
 105 
 
 Fields of Nova Scotia, 
 
 107 
 
 of Pictou, 
 
 134 
 
 of Onslow, . 
 
 129 
 
 of Talmagouch, 
 
 130 
 
 of River Hebert, 
 
 150 
 
 of Spring Hill, . 
 
 145 
 
 of South Joggins, 
 
 1 53 
 
 Cobeciuid Chain, 
 
 1 07 
 
 Conglomerate, 
 
 141, 141 
 
 Copper Ore, . 
 
 J 50 
 
 \ '■ 
 
INDEX. 260 
 
 Copper, Pure Native, . . .192, 2S4 
 
 Green Carbonate of 
 Blue Carbonate of 
 Grey Ore of . 
 Sulphuret of 
 Red Oxide of 
 Columnar Basalt, 
 Cumberland, . 
 
 Dartmouth, 
 
 J)igby Gut, 
 
 Digby Neck, 
 
 Eastern Iron Ore Bed, 
 Economy, 
 
 Falls of 
 
 Fossil Shells of 
 
 Encrinites, 
 
 Falls, North River, . 
 
 Five Islands, 
 
 Fossil Shells, 37, Gl, 83, 
 Zoophyte 
 
 Plants, . SO, 
 of Cumberland, 
 
 F reestone. 
 
 Gales’s Pier 
 Garnets, Magnesian, 
 Geological Divisions, 
 Granite, 
 
 Boulders, 
 
 Gneiss, 
 
 Greywacke, 
 
 Slate, 
 
 Grindstones, 
 
 Greenstone, 
 
 Ijianville, North Shore of, 
 Gypsum, 
 
 Fibrous, 
 
 139 
 
 139 
 
 140 
 41 
 
 139 
 
 172 
 
 144 
 
 . . 15 
 
 185 
 
 175 
 
 59 
 121 
 124 
 12G 
 29, 50 
 
 123 
 
 259 
 
 119, 120, 12G, 135, 147 
 47 
 
 115, 119, 120, 132, 137 
 157 
 141, 144 
 
 194 
 
 33 
 
 5 
 
 . 8, 32 
 
 . 3G 
 . 12, 41 
 
 15, 48, 50, G4 
 . . 50, 59, Gl, Gl 
 
 154 
 177 
 
 ... . 187 
 
 81 
 71 
 
270 INDEX. 
 
 Ilalifax, 
 
 
 9 
 
 203 
 
 11 all's Harbour, . 
 
 . 
 
 Hailstone, 
 
 
 254 
 
 Hematite, Red, . 
 
 . 
 
 G3 
 
 Hematite, Brown, 
 
 . 
 
 63 
 
 Heliotrope, 
 
 . 191, 197, 
 
 190 
 
 Heulandite, . 
 
 255 
 
 Red . 
 
 
 247 
 
 Horton, 
 
 . 
 
 4G 
 
 Morton Blufl', 
 
 . 
 
 80 
 
 Hog-tootli Spar, 
 
 ISO, 
 
 118 
 
 Hornstone, 
 
 214 
 
 Haut, Isle, 
 
 • 
 
 229 
 
 Iron-stone, 
 
 12, 
 
 115 
 
 Iron, Magnetic Oxide of. 
 
 . 18, 28, 
 
 173 
 
 Brown Oxide of. 
 
 . 
 
 25G 
 
 Ore of Nictau, 
 
 . 
 
 36 
 
 Argillaceous Oxide ol. 
 
 112, G4, 
 
 43 
 
 Specular Oxide ol, . 
 
 178 
 
 Micaceous Oxide of, 
 
 . 
 
 118 
 
 Sulphate of, 
 
 . 27, 114, 
 
 112 
 
 Sulphuret of. 
 
 182 
 
 Hydrate of, 
 
 . 
 
 90 
 
 Ochrey Red Oxide of, . 
 
 48, 
 
 182 
 
 Brown Oxide of. 
 
 . 
 
 48 
 
 Peroxide of, 
 
 . 
 
 GO 
 
 Introduction, 
 
 . 
 
 14 
 
 .Jasper, . . .173, 
 
 17G, 180, 214, 
 
 257 
 
 .Jasper, Red, 
 
 • 
 
 181 
 
 Jasper, Riband, . 
 
 . 
 
 214 
 
 Jet, .... 
 
 45, 
 
 139 
 
 Joggins, . 
 
 • 
 
 151 
 
 Laumonite, 
 
 177, 195, 
 
 197 
 
 Lead, Sulphuret of. 
 
 81 
 
 , 90 
 
 Lignites, 
 
 . 133, 139, 
 
 159 
 
 Lime, Sulphate of. 
 
 • 
 
 Si 
 
 Jiimestone, Transition, 
 
 . 
 
 18 
 
 Old Mountain, 
 
 
 1 34 
 
INDEX. 
 
 271 
 
 Liverpool, 
 
 Londonderry, 
 
 Lone; Island, - 
 Lnnenbiirc;, 
 
 Margaret’s Bay, 
 
 Mahone Bay, 
 
 Marl, 
 
 Manganese, Black Oxide 
 Grey Oxide 
 
 Maccan, - 
 Martial’s Cove, 
 Mesotype, 
 
 Mica Slate, 
 
 ► Michaelite, 
 
 Montague River, 
 
 Nepan River, 
 Needlestone, 
 
 Nictaii, 
 
 North West Arm, 
 
 Ochre, Red, 
 
 Ochre, Yellow, 
 
 Opal, 
 
 Opal, Semi, - 
 Onslow, - 
 Ovens, 
 
 Onyx Agate, 
 
 Partridge Island, 
 Paradise River, - 
 Parrsborough, 
 
 Peter’s Point, 
 
 Pectinite, 
 
 Pipe Clay, 
 
 Pictou, - - 
 
 Phrenite - 
 Primary District, 
 Primary Rocks, - 
 Porphyry, 
 
 IT) 
 
 18 
 
 - 83 , 94 
 112 
 63 , 217 
 
 146 
 192 
 
 - 198 , 216 
 
 . 12 , 41 
 255 
 86 
 
 147 
 178 , 254 
 
 - 36 
 11 
 
 - 48 
 48 
 
 248 
 
 248 
 
 129 
 
 18 
 
 201 , 213 , 215 
 
 242 
 
 - 34 
 
 - 112 , 113 , 120 
 195 
 61 
 
 - 17 
 59 , 133 
 
 202 
 
 8 
 
 . 8 
 
 27 , 40 , 64 , 108 
 
 
INDEX. 
 
 272 
 
 Preface, - 
 
 Quartz, - 
 
 Rock, 
 
 Amethystine, 
 
 Smoky, 
 
 - 5 
 
 176, 180 
 11 
 182 
 20 
 
 Rawdon, 
 
 Ragged Reef, 
 Reddle, - 
 River Hebert, 
 Rocking Stones, 
 
 - 58 
 153 
 
 - 72 
 150 
 
 . 9 
 
 Sambro, 
 
 Sandstone, Old Red, 
 Sandstone District, 
 Salt Springs 
 Selenite, 
 
 Schorl, - 
 Shelburne, 
 Shubenacadie River, 
 Siliceous Sinter, 
 Spring Hill, 
 
 Stilbite, 
 
 Stalactites, 
 
 Swan Creek, - 
 
 16 
 
 48, 134 
 71 
 
 124, 127, 132, 138, 144, 145 
 . 74, 82 
 
 - 35 
 20 
 
 - 88 
 240, 255 
 
 145 
 
 184, 201, 216, 238, 241, 246 
 
 135 
 
 - - - - 249 
 
 Talc, 
 
 Tatmagouch, - 
 
 Tellinite, 
 
 Terebratulite, 
 
 Tides, Violence of, - 
 Trap, - 
 
 Trap District, 
 Triloblte, 
 
 Tremolite, 
 
 Turf, 
 
 . 22 
 130 
 - 29 
 29 
 - 243 
 
 187, 190, 201, 211 
 - - - 169 
 
 - 29, 50 
 
 . - - 118 
 147 
 
 Wilmot Spring, 
 Windsor, 
 
 Zeolites, *" “ “ 190, 192 
 
AGENTS 
 
 FOR THE FOREGOING WORK. 
 
 ® 
 
 J. Leander Starr, Joseph Howe, and Clement H. 
 Belcher, Esquires, — Halifax ; Charles E. Ratchford, 
 Esq. — Parrsborough ; Dr. Harding, — Windsor ; W. B. 
 Webster, M. D., and Henry B. Webster, Esq. — Kent- 
 ville ; James R. Fitch, M. D., — Wilmot ; George S. 
 Millidge, Esq. — Annapolis ; Dr. Bent, — Digby ; Wil- 
 liam H. Keating, Esq. — Yarmouth ; James R. DeWolfe, 
 Esq. — Liverpool ; John Creighton, Esq. — Lunenburg ; 
 James Morse, Robert M. G. Dickie, and Thomas Lo- 
 gan, Esquires, — Amherst ; Henry G. Pineo, Esquire, — 
 Wallace; Joseph Chipman, M. T>.—Pictou; Elisha 
 DeW. Ratchford, and M. H. Perley, Esquires,— -S^. 
 John, JV". B, ; William Crane, Esc[.— Dorchester ; Hen- 
 ry Allison, Esq. — Miramichi ; Solomon Thayer, Esq. — 
 Eastport ; Elisha DeWolfe, Jun., Esq. — Wolfville ; 
 Samuel Chipman, Esq. — Cornwallis ; Silas H. Crane, 
 Esq. — Economy ; George Duncan, Esq. — Truro ; Rev. 
 Robert Bhckwood,— Gaifs River ; Mr. Stamper— Lon- 
 donderry ; Doctor Dennison, — JTewport ; Mr. Avard, 
 Sackville ; Gibbs Gesner, Esq.— Cape Breton ; Rev. 
 Thomas H. Davis,— Guy sborough ; Samuel Willovvby, 
 Esq. — Mto York.