XCVI KOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



the mere displacement of strata involved in the intrusive theory, in view 

 of the enormous areas now occupied by the granite, seems wholly inex- 

 plicable, as does also the manner in which the surrounding strata dip 

 down against, and on to the granite, and show no signs of having been 

 deflected or otherwise affected as regards strike or dip by this sujiposed 

 intrusion.'' 



Sorb}' holds that granite and gneiss were formed approximately 

 under similar circumstances, and that there arc only two types of igneous 

 rocks, granitic and volcanic. 



Of jiast British geologists whose views we may, I think, deem most 

 worthy of consideration are MacuUoch, De la Eèche, Lyell, Boase, Ram- 

 sa}-. Juke.s. Sorby and Ward. My reason for mentioinng these names 

 and for calling attention to their minute and instructive descriptions 

 arises, perha]is, from my personal acquaintance with most of the men, 

 and with their methods of field work and observation, and because they 

 were in those days almost the only geologists who carried out their inves- 

 tigations and observations in the field on the then supposed old crystal- 

 line rocks over comparatively wide areas. Their conclusions were, for 

 the most part, based not on theory or authority but on ])ersonally ascer- 

 tained facts. 



In Canada our associate. Macfarlane, has, as long ago as 18(!2, in 

 vol. vii. of the '-Canadian Naturalist," and in vol. iii., new series, ably 

 diagnosed and recorded, from his own observations in Scandinavia and 

 in Canada, and from those of Logan. De la Bêche and Naumann, wliose 

 views he has translated, pretty much all the facts, as well as the then 

 ])revalent theories, respecting the '-primitive" formations, including gran- 

 ite. More attention might perhaps with advantage have been paid to 

 these early views. 



But geolog\', like theology, has been much hinderea and hampered 

 by authorit}- and orthodoxy, or the tendency of humanity to accept what 

 it has been told, without intelligent thought, inquiry and examination. 

 Thus "erupted " is one of those orthodox l)eliefs respecting granite not 

 warranted or supported by the teachings of the rocks. 



Everywhere, from Britain to Australia and America, the facts cor- 

 respond ; but the reasoning from them is, I hold, inconsistent and contra- 

 dictory. Granite, like all other rocks, must have been formed — not 

 necessaril}- erupted or irrupted — out of some pre existing material, and 

 that it has been so formed, locall}' and at intervals, in all geological ages, 

 is admitted. 



Igneous geolog}'. except as regards the pi-oducts of Tertiary and 



• recent volcanoes, offered few attractions, and the study of granite and 



gneissic formations was regarded as an un])rofitable pursuit. (Ii-an- 



ite was granite, a crystalline compound of quartz, felspar and mica, long 



ago supposed to be ancient, but now. as stated, supposed to be of all 



