THE GEOLOGY OF THE GOLDFIELDS OF 

 BRITISH GUIANA. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The geological reconnaissances, the results of which are described in 

 the following pages, were commenced in 1897 by an examination of 

 the North-Western district of the colony, and completed in 1905 by 

 one of the Berbice River district. 



The examination of the North-Western district was instituted by 

 the Government, at the request of some of the mining companies 

 interested in that district, to ascertain the truth or not of allegations 

 made that it was a volcanic district and not rich in auriferous rocks. 

 The examination having shown the incorrectness of this view, on the 

 motion of the Hon. G. Garnett, the Combined Court voted the money 

 necessar}^ for the examination of the other mining districts of the 

 colony. 



The preparation of this Handbook is due to a suggestion by His 

 Excellency Sir Cavendish Boyle, K.C.M.G., Governor of Mauritius, 

 while acting in 1901 as Governor of British Guiana. Its completion 

 has been kept back by the delay occasioned by the examination of the 

 Cuyuni Eiver district and the carrying out of the many analyses and 

 petrographical examinations required. 



Concise chapters dealing with the history of mining enterprise in 

 British Guiana, and with hhits to travellers through the colony, have 

 been contributed by F. Fowler, Esquire, Commissioner of Lands 

 and Mines. 



Mr. C. Wilgress Anderson, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., of the Department of 

 Lands and Mines, has contributed a chapter descriptive of the natural 

 features and topography of British Guiana, with a sketch of its various 

 inhabitants, and one dealing with the facilities for transport in the 

 Colony. 



A map showing the structure of the northern portion of British 

 Guiana has been recently published. The results of the geological 

 reconnaissances described in this book are recorded on it. It was 

 drawn by C. Wilgress Anderson, Esquire, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., the 

 geological details being inserted by myself. 



During the journeys in the North- Western district, in the Esse- 

 (juibo, Potaro and Demerara district, and in the Mazaruni and Puruni 

 district, I was accompanied by H. I. Perkins, Esquire, I.S.O., F.G.S., 



B 



