SECTION IV., 1901 Dea jj TRANS) RSC: 
VI—On Some Modes of Occurrence of the Mineral Albertite. 
By LW. Bamey, uD: 
(Read May 23, 1901.) 
It is now somewhat over fifty years since the discovery, in Albert 
county, New Brunswick, of the mineral which thence derived its name; 
a discovery followed first by a remarkable contention as to its nature— 
for this involved its ownership; and led to the employment of expert 
testimony of the highest character—and second by its equally remark- 
able development, the yield between the years 1863 and 1874 being not 
less than 154,800 tons, representing, with an average spot value of $15 
per ton, between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. 
The testimony offered in the trial referred to was of the most 
discordant character, and though the conclusion arrived at, viz., that 
the material was of the nature of coal, and therefore of contemporane- 
ous origin with the inclosing shales, was even then apparently con- 
trary to the weight of evidence, a diversity of opinion has continued to 
exist, if not with regard to the point first mentioned, at least with 
reference to the source, the age and the method of accumulation of 
the substance in question. Any facts, therefore, such as have come 
to light within the last few years, bearing upon these points, have a 
scientific as well as an economic value, and for that reason are here 
presented. 
The subject may be profitably reviewed under several distinct 
heads— 
(a) Geographical Distribution. Albertite in New Brunswick is 
confined to a narrow’ belt, some fifty miles in length, lying for a con- 
siderable distance along the northern flank of a range of metamorphic 
hills, but mostly in comparatively low ground at the eastern end of the 
latter. This distribution, with some minor exceptions to be presently 
noticed, is coincident with that of a band of highly bituminous shales, 
formerly believed to occupy a position near the base of the Lower Car- 
boniferous system as developed in the Acadian provinces but now re- 
garded by many as of Devonian age. Beyond the limits of New Bruns- 
wick the nearest resembling minerals are the Grahamile of Western 
Virginia and Gilsenite of Colorado. 
(b) Modes of Occurrence. The facts bearing upon this point, so far 
as developed at the time of the trial, are well stated in the report of 
Mr. R. C. Taylor and Dr. James Robb, and may be briefly summarized 
