292 Proceedings oj tfu Albany Institute. 



In the progress of ratified nature of some of 



these crystalline rocks had been determined ; an. I it was even 

 proved that certain rocks, which in one pari Of the country 

 were Btratified aqueous deposits containing fossils, were in 

 other places crystalline, and without evidence of their 

 aqueous origin. 



These crystalline rocks and mountain ranges were found 

 to have a longitudinal extension, and many of them in a 

 generally north and south direction; and his was ex- 

 plained by supposing Longitudinal fissures, or lines of out- 

 bursting of the interior mass. 



This flanking of the older crystalline rocks by the newer 

 sedimentary rocks had been proved to a certain extent 

 true in New. York and Canada. 



# Great impulse had been given to geological science in 

 this country by the institution of State Geological Surveys 

 in which we followed the example of the countries of Eu- 

 rope. The results of the New York Survey had done 

 more than all the others to promote true knowledge of 

 geology. 



The reports of this survey had for the first time an- 

 nounced and demonstrated by abundant testimony the 

 true sequence among the American rocks. 



In the process of this science it had been determined 

 that the crystalline granite rocks of northern Xew York 

 were Btratified, and though they were termed primary, 

 their stratified structure proved them to be of aqueous 

 and not of igneous origin. In the progress of the Cana- 

 dian Geological Survey, it had been determined that the 

 older gneissic and granite rocks alternate with extensive 

 limestone bands, and these limestone bands have been 

 traced over large area- of country, even in the most ex- 

 treme wilderness : their presence being usually indicated 

 by the growth of maple and similar woods, while beech 



and evergreens mark the course ol the silicious rocks. 



