4 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



In 1828 there appeared in the American Journal of Science an 

 account of Nova Scotian geology, entitled "The Geology and Mineral- 

 ogy of the northern parts of Nova Scotia," by two Americans, C. T. 

 Jackson and Francis Alger. The conception of stratigraphy indicated 

 by this work is largely Wernerian, but the authors admit somewhat 

 reluctantly that they are obliged "to allow the superiority of the 

 igneous theory of Hutton, Playfair and Daubenay." It is significant 

 also that the granite was regarded as older than the slate because it 

 contained no fossils: its igneous origin was not recognized as in the 

 case of the traps. 



In 1836 Abraham Gesner published "Remarks on the Geology 

 and Mineralogy of Nova Scotia." This book of 272 pages reveals 

 clearly the geological thought of the time. The doctrine is catas- 

 trophic in the extreme, and the phraseology Wernerian. Fossils are 

 seriously regarded as time-markers and their resemblance to living 

 forms noted. The reader is warned, however, "that their lineal 

 descendants have long since passed away," thus disclaiming any 

 thought of genetic connection. Movements of the rocks are dis- 

 cussed and Noah's deluge held responsible for the existence of the 

 strata and their contained organisms. Volcanic activity is admitted, 

 even glacial boulders being ascribed to volcanic explosions subsequent 

 to the general inundation. 



Gesner was appointed Provincial Geologist of New Brunswick 

 in 1838, and, as we shall see later, made important contributions to the 

 geology of that province. He founded the Gesner museum in St. 

 John which afterwards became the property of the Natural History 

 Society of New Brunswick. 



During this period (1820-1840) appeared also a number of frag- 

 mentary papers by Captain Bonnycastle, Lieutenant Baddesley, and 

 others, a complete list of which may be found in Harrington's "Life 

 of Sir William Logan." 



Of great importance in its subsequent effect on Canadian strati- 

 graphic geology was the founding of the Geological Survey of the 

 State of New York in 1836. The state was divided into four districts 

 which were entrusted severally to the four distinguished pioneers. 

 Hall, Emmons, Mather, and Vanuxem. 



Hall's "Report on the Fourth District" appeared in 1843. For- 

 mational names still in use were introduced but there was little 

 attempt to correlate the strata with those of Europe. Hall's table 

 of formations is so important in its bearing on Canada that it is given 

 in outline on page 5. 



