330 Perlexfs observations on the 



than it is in relation to the strike and dip of the beds, or than 

 those latter are to the horizon, and points of the compass. 



As regards the relative age of the igoeous rocks, Mr. Jukes sup- 

 poses that the granites are generally newer than the mica slate 

 and the gneiss, which repose upon them. 



The coal formation seems to be contemporaneous with those of 

 Tfestern Europe, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and New Brunswick, 

 and with the most modern group of stratified rocks in Newfound- 

 land. 



On the west coast of Newfoundland, as might have been pro- 

 phesied by the most casual geological observer of the formations of 

 Cape Breton and the adjacent shores of the mainland, there exists 

 the continuation of the coal formation of New Brunswick, Nova 

 Scotia and Cape Breton, the great coal basin of the St. Law- 

 rence, probably the largest in the world, extending from the Bay 

 of Chaleur to the profound solitudes, vast morasses,- tangled 

 forests and innumerable lakes, ponds, and brooks, which cover and 

 intersect so great a portion of Newfoundland. 



The province of Avalon is nearly separated from the 

 rest of Newfoundland by the Bays of Placentia and Trinity, a 

 narrow isthmus only between 3 or 4 miles in width, existing be- 

 tween those two deep and spacious bays, and thus connecting 

 Avalon with the main body of Newfoundland. 



In Avalon there are two principal ranges of hills, which form 

 regular watersheds. 



The most easterly range is that which rises from the back of 

 Keneuse to Holyrood in Conception Bay. 'though not lofty, 

 this range is very rugged, the faces of the hills being abrupt and 

 precipitious. Along this range are some remarkable hummocky 

 hills called the " butter-pots," of which the passing voyager 

 between Cape Race and St. John's has a capital view in fine 

 weather. Each of these "butter-pots" has about the same 

 height above the sea, probably rather more than 1000 feet. 



The southern coast of Newfoundland has very lofty cliffs, and 

 the high lands contiguous to the sea exclude all view of the in- 

 terior from that quarter. Mr. Jukes declares his belief that the 

 country is composed chiefly, if not entirely, of granite. 



Three varieties of granite were observed ; one white, rather 

 fine grained, with abundance of mica ; another of a coarse grain, 

 with less mica and of a reddish colour ; and the third, by far the 

 most abundant, a somewhat coarse red granite with large im- 

 bedded crystals of flesh-coloured feldspar. 



