2 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



who is still with us, now as the Dean of the Science Faculty at McGill 

 University; Dr. A. R. C. Selwyn, F.R.S., for many years Director 

 of the Geological Survey; Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, the distinguished 

 Palaeontologist of the same Survey; Dr. A. P. Coleman, of Toronto 

 University, fortunately still with us and still active in geological 

 research; Abbe LaFlamme of Laval University, and Edwin Gilpin, 

 F.G.S., Inspector of Mines in Nova Scotia. Of the original charter 

 members of Section IV, ten were geologists, and of these, two only, 

 viz.. Dr. Matthew and myself, remain. 



While recalling these distinguished names I for myself cannot 

 but regret that we are no longer to have as fellow members of the 

 Section, the biologists who now constitute the new Section V. For 

 most geologists are, to a greater or less extent, biologists also, and if 

 the two Sections meet simultaneously, as will probably be necessary, 

 many of us will miss the reading of biological papers which we would 

 gladly hear. I fancy also that some of the biologists are interested 

 in the discussion of geological problems. But the change will at all 

 events have one good result, viz., that, with fewer members and 

 papers, there will be much more time for the reading and discussion 

 of such subjects as are brought before us. 



The purpose of my Address to-day is to discuss the subject of 

 the Palseo-Geography of Acadia, in other words of the Maritime 

 Prov,inces of Canada. In attempting this I am aware that the subject 

 is not altogether a new one, nor can I hope to add to it very much 

 that is new, but it is one which may well be considered from different 

 points of view and by different observers. Perhaps the most impor- 

 tant of the papers treating directly upon the subject is one by Dr. G. F. 

 Matthew, entitled "The Physical Evolution of Acadia," which ap- 

 peared in the Bulletin of the Natural History Society of New Bruns- 

 wick in 1908. But since that time further information, more par- 

 ticularly as regards northern New Brunswick and some portions of 

 Nova Scotia, has been forthcoming, and questions have been raised 

 with regard to the acceptance of the views at that time set forth as 

 the basis of the conclusions arrived at. On the other hand in the 

 volume of the Society's Transactions just issued, and which was read 

 at our last Section, is a joint paper by Dr. Matthew and myself, in 

 which these disputed points were considered at length, giving the 

 natural and probably final views of that gentleman and myself upon 

 the geology of New Brunswick. It would therefore seem to be an 

 appropriate time now in which to review the geography of Acadia 

 in the light of what is now known or thought to be most probable. 



