G8 



sandstone at the Cascades was of Triassic ago. That opinion 

 was based upon the best evidence within, my reach. The 

 strata which the shaft in question has pierced have completely 

 overturned that theory, the rocks exposed thereby being 

 strictly carboniferous, as may be seen by reference to the 

 diagram. The sandstone on the north side of the rivulet is 

 without doubt of carboniferous age (see Fig. 1), since it 

 reposes immediately on the crystalline limestone, which teems 

 with the t}T^)ical fossil shells of the mountain limestone, — such 

 for instance as Spivifera lej^teiicd (syn. productce), Leminulcc, 

 I*ectenidce, and Eurydesma, with Bryozric remains, the most 

 characteristic of which are FenesteUa, Polyparia, and Stenopera. 



The cherty or impure limestone (Fig. 2), and into which 

 the crystalline limestone may be said to j^ass, is also fossil- 

 liferous, but to a much less extent than the latter. If, 

 therefore, as I am inclined to think is the case, from the 

 debris of the lowest stratum of the shaft, this, stratum has 

 .been reached, then there is an end to all expectation of finding 

 coal, for the upper portion of the base of the carboniferous, 

 system has been reached. 



In looking at the sinking of this shaft fi'om a practical point 

 of view much credit is due to Mr. Newman for setting a 

 worthy example of private enterprise to his fellow- colonists ; 

 and although he may fail in discovering the object of his 

 search, it may be a source of some satisfaction to him to 

 know that he has already made an important contribution to 

 science, and which it is more than probable the keenest 

 superficial observation, extending over several years, would not 

 have afforded. 



