V 



No. I. 



i -■ 



• 





GEOGNOSTICAL OBSERVATIONS 



? 





BY JOHN RICHARDSON, M.D., 



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AND SURGEON TO THE EXPEDITION. 



IN the following paper I have aimed merely at a very general account of the 

 different rock formations that presented themselves on the line of our journey. 

 To have given a satisfactory account of the structure of so large an extent of 

 country, would have required not only a much better acquaintance with 

 geognosy than I can lay any claim to, but that I should have turned my un- 

 divided attention to that object. Whilst we travelled in canoes, which 

 includes the greatest part of our journey, and nearly the whole of the season 

 in which the ground was uncovered, my opportunities of making collections 

 in Natural History were limited to the short halts it was necessary to make 

 for the needful refreshment or repose of the men— a further delay being in- 

 compatible with the attainment of the main object of the Expedition. The 

 want of opportunity for observation it was impossible *o remedy, but I was 

 desirous of compensating for my own inexperience in geognosy, by making 

 as extensive a collection of specimens as circumstances would permit. Be- 

 yond Fort Enterprise, however, the want of means of transport prevented 

 me from even making an attempt at collection. Those specimens that were 

 obtained to the southward of that place have been submitted to the inspection 

 of Professor Jameson, and I feel happy in an opportunity of acknowledging a 

 small part of my obligations to that distinguished mineralogist. His zeal 

 for the promotion of science led him to take an early and deep interest in 

 our proceedings, and his endeavours to serve us have been unwearied. 



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The western shores of Hudson's Bay between the 56 and 58 parallels of 



3 s 



