BULLETIN 



OF THE 



NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 



OF 



NEW BRUNSWICK. 



ARTICLE I. 



ABRAHAM GESNER. 



A REVIEW OF HIS SCIENTIFC WORK. 



BY G. F. MATTHEW, D. Sc, F. R. S. C. 



Read November 1st, 1892. 



About half a century ago the name of Abraham Gesner 

 1)ecame widely spread in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, from 

 his efforts to make known the mineral wealth and great natural 

 resources of his native province of Nova 8cotia ; and from his 

 zeal in proclaiming the truths of the new science of Geology. 



Born in the midst of a district famed for its natural beaut}' 

 and its fertility — the land of Evangeline — he was within easy 

 reach of some of the most prolific minei-al localities, and some of 

 the most remarkable natural geological sections to be seen in the 

 Maritime provinces of Canada. It is not surprising, therefore, 

 that he should have been filled with enthusiasm for the new- 

 science, and should have endeavored l)y tongue and pen to make 

 known the natural wealth of the Acadian land. 



A knowledge of the early life and character of Gesner will 

 naturally be sought for by those who are interested in his scientific 

 work. Fortunately this has been supplied by his surviving sons, 

 now living in New York ; and a biographical sketch of his father 

 written by G. W. Gesner has been puljlished in the fourteenth 

 Bulletin of this Society (1896). 



