1 6 ROY A L SOCI ET Y OF CANADA 



In this brief sketch of the development of geological nomenclature 

 in the eastern provinces of Canada, it is manifestly impossible, without 

 enlarging tlie subject beyond reasonable bounds, to devote more than 

 a passing notice to the consideration of the many changes of opinion 

 which have been expressed by the different writers on the geological 

 structure of this very complicated field of exploration. Many dis- 

 cussions have appeared in the scientific journals, seme of which are 

 inspired with the desire to throw more light upon obstruse points, 

 while others are apparently tinged with a spirit of adverse criticism. 

 That changes of opinion should take place as a result of more detailed 

 study of the several geological problems here presented, must always 

 1)6 expected, and such changes should cast no reflection upon the 

 character of the work done by the earlier investigators in this field; 

 since, unless we accept the conclusions arrived at by the pioneers in this 

 or any kindred line of work, as infallible, the study of the relations of 

 the various rock formations, under new and more favourable conditions, 

 and with the appliances of modern investigation, should of necessity, tend 

 to the attainment of more accurate results. Thus the discovery of a 

 mere band of fossiliferous strata in a great series, previously regarded as 

 unfossilil'erous, may change at once all previously accepted ideas as to its 

 true relations, while as to the determination of horizons on lithological 

 features alone, very often subsequent careful examination proves 

 the first conclusions to be erroneous. In point of fact, in an area so 

 alVected with faults, overturns and other difficulties, such as the presence 

 of large areas of non-fossiliferous sediments, the conclusions arrived at 

 as regards structure should generally be held open to correction as more 

 light is afforded by the detailed study in the field progresses. 



OiNTARIO AND QUEBEC. 



In the old provinces of Canada, which prior to Confederation con- 

 sisted of Ontario and Quebec, the work of a regularly organized Geo- 

 logical Survey was commenced, as already noted, in 1842, undeT the 

 direction of Sir W. E. Logan, with whom was shortly after associated Mr. 

 Alexander.Murray. The first work of Logan and Murray was devoted to 

 obtaining a broad general view of the geological features of these two 

 provinces, and in order to arrive at this result preliminary excursions 

 were undertaken, often involving much hardship, throughout the 

 generally unsettled area which it was necessary to penetrate. These ex- 

 plorations were carried on from the eastern extremity of the Gaspé Pen- 

 insiila of Quebec on the east, to the shores of Lake Superior on the west, 

 and in this way the foundations were laid for the subsequent filling in of 

 the detailed structure over many thousands of miles. 



