71 



numerous dykes of diabase, diorite and other constituents togethe 

 with the occurrence of the ophites, serpentines, jaspers, graphite, mica 

 galena and other minerals and rocks (characterizing that period of time 

 in the history of the earths' crust in our locality) are all questions 

 which naturally present themselves for study, furnishing abundant 

 material f^r investigations in mineralogy and petrographical science of 

 the highest type. 



The vast amount of mineral wealth which the Ottawa region 

 affords is known to be such as to predicate a bright future for mining 

 operations at our very doors. The Buckingham, Bristol, Templeton 

 and Hull mines of iron, apatite, mica, &c, are still in their infancy, 

 new, rich and valuable deposits are found almost weekly by experts, so 

 that this region bids fair soon to become a very extensive and important 

 mining centre. 



II. In the Cam bro- Silurian or Ordovician deposits at Ottawa we 

 find a continuous sequence of sedimentary rocks from the Potsdam 

 formation through the Calciferous, Chazy, Bird's Eye and Black River, 

 Trenton and Utica to the Hudson River formation with the possible 

 occurrence of the basal beds of Silurian l-ocks east of tin city. 



Up to the present time these various formations have afforded a 

 great deal of fine material and fossil remains teem throughout the 

 various measures to such an extent that nearly every outcrop may be 

 said to -be fossiliferous from the bottom to the top. 



At the sub-excursions held during the past collecting season, new 

 material was found, and it is the experience of every collector in the 

 Ottawa district that each days' systematic search in any formation will 

 afford new and interesting discoveries. Some of our formations like the 

 Trenton and Utica have been fairly well examined, but more detailed 

 and systematic woi-k is what is now required in all of them. 



III. In the field of Post- Tertiary or Surface Geology there remains 

 much to be done. The evidences and phenomena characterizing the 

 glacial epoch are so numerous, varied and replete with interest owing 

 to the peculiar orographic features of this region on the border line of 

 the great Archcean nucleus and plateau that there can scarcely be said 

 to be a more inviting field of research anywhere in Canada. Mr. Ami 

 has continued his investigation into the history of these various deposits, 



