Mineralogy and Geology of Nova Scotia. 371 



In forming a collection of fossils, designed rather to throw- 

 some light upon the mineralogy of this country, than as a 

 cabinet of curiosities, I have thought it best to commence with 

 our most common rocks. They are undoubtedly the most 

 ancient, and probably form the basis upon which the others 

 rest. In learning something of their relative situations, and 

 of the materials which compose their external parts, we shall 

 necessarily acquire some geological knowledge, and may also 

 learn some things that will be of use to us. In giving the rea- 

 sons for which these specimens have been collected, I have 

 found it necessary to state, not only what I have seen, but 

 also what I have thought : to state the consequences that 

 seemed to me to follow from the facts I had observed. I am 

 sensible, that some of these opinions will appear strange to 

 many persons, who, being in the habit of employing their minds 

 in more profitable speculations, have paid little attention to 

 this subject. I have adduced several facts to show the pro- 

 bability of these opinions, but do not expect they will strike 

 the minds of others with the same degree of evidence that 

 they do my own ; for a multitude of slight proofs, derived from 

 facts observed during many years' attention to a favourite 

 study, will leave an impression on the mind which is not easily 

 conveyed to others. 



In a society like the Mechanics' Institute, designed for 

 diffusing useful knowledge, our stores must necessarily, and 

 ought to, be drawn principally from the treasures already ac- 

 cumulated in Europe ; but, if there is any subject upon which 

 we can add something to the common stock, and repay a little 

 for the much we receive, it is, perhaps, natural history ; for we 

 here possess the advantage of viewing a part of the earth more 

 in its natural state than any country which has been long pos- 

 sessed by a civilised race. 



Geologists generally appear to be divided into two parties, 

 one of which supposes that the large masses of rock were 

 formed by the agency of fire ; while their opponents maintain 

 that they were crystallised from a fluid which held them in 

 solution. That there are in this province rocks which .have 

 been formed in both these ways, there is no doubt ; but it ap- 

 pears to me that the greater part of the large masses which 

 compose the basis of this province have acquired their present 

 form in a somewhat different manner. He that dares to be- 

 lieve the evidence of his own senses, in opposition to such 

 authority as can be adduced in support of the common 

 theories, has no right to expect that his opinions shall be re- 

 garded any farther than he supports them with sufficient 

 evidence. It is certain that, in the great volume of nature, 



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