LIV EOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



coal fields, had attracted the attention of Sir Henry De la Beche, under whose auspices the Geological 

 Survey of (xrcat Britain had lately been inaugui-ated. In 1843, Logan entered upon his new duties, 

 with the greatest possible zeal, and for more than twenty-five years the history of the Survey and 

 that of its director were the same. 



It must be remembered that at this time the utility of geological surveys had only begun to be 

 generally recognized, and the Survey of Great Britain, which became the parent and model of so many 

 others, was scarcely twelve years old. 



It is not my purpose to follow, even in outline, the story of the progress and results of this 

 Survey; but as it has very recently celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation, it may be 

 useful to refer to some matters connected with its work which early impressed themselves upon its 

 first director, several of which still retain the importance they had at that time. 



In 1854, a select committee of the legislature was appointed to investigate the working of the 

 Survey. Ample evidence was produced of its utility within the limits possible with the small amount 

 of money granted, and so thoroughly were the members of the committee satisfied on this point that 

 they recommended the provision of greatly increased facilities for the enterprise. 



When before the committee, Logan was asked what the principal difficulties he had met with 

 were; he replied: " Independently of those unavoidably incident to travelling in canoes up shallow 

 " rivei-8, or on foot through the forest, are those arising from the want of a good topographical map 

 " of the country. Accurate topography is the basis of accurate geology." In answer to other ques- 

 tions relating to the connection between the " scientific " and the " practical " results of the Geological 

 Survey, he adduced a number of instances showing this connection which had already occurred in the 

 course of the work then done, and added : " The object of the survey is to ascertain the mineral 

 " resources of the country, and this is kept steadily in view. Whatever new scientific facts have re- 

 " suited from it, have come out in the couise of what I conceive to be economic researches carried 

 " on in what I conceive to be a scientific way." 



Unfortunately the complaint made at this time in regard to the want of trustworthy topogra- 

 phical maps still holds, and this want yet constitutes an important obstacle, even in some parts of the 

 country which have long been inhabited and are thickly peopled. Unfortunately too, there are still 

 to be found, even in these days of popular education, those who call aloud for " practical results " 

 without appreciating the necessary concurrent or antecedent stages of scientific investigation by 

 means of which such results may be attained, or the way of attaining which is thus evidenced and 

 made plain. 



To take a very recent instance of what I mean, allusion may be made to the piesent conditions 

 in the region about Eainy Lake, in western Ontario. It had long been known to geologists that 

 among the Archaean or oldest rocks of the eastern part of Canada, those of the Huronian system are 

 often found to contain metalliferous deposits of value. No such deposits had been found in this 

 particular region, but several years ago its rocks were carefully mapped out. Within the last few 

 months veins of gold-bearing quartz have been discovered in these rocks, and hundreds of prospectors 

 are flocking to the district, while the Geological Survey is besieged for copies of the map, by which 

 the researches of the miner may be guided. Meanwhile, the Survey is at work elsewhere in preparing 

 similar maps, and though it is not always possible to be, as in this instance, in advance of the pros- 

 pector, he may at least in most cases be followed up pretty closely. 



At about the time nt which the committee of inquiry above referred to was constituted, Logan had 

 been pressed to accept a geological appointment under the government of India, but fortunately for 

 Canada and for the continuity of its Geological Survey, he declined the appointment. Writing to his 

 friend. De la Beche, on this matter, he says: " Just look at Arrowsmith's little map jf British North 

 America, dedicated to the Hudson's Bay Company, published in 1842. * * =i= You will see that Canada 

 comprises but a small part of it. Then examine the great rivers and lakes which water the interior 

 between that American Baltic, Hudson's Bay, and the Pacific Ocean — some of the rivers as great as 



