438 THE PROGRESS OF GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION 
Silurian, the term being still held as applicable toa large 
part of these sediments. 4th. The overlying series to the base 
of the Carboniferous, regarded as of the age of the old Red sand- 
stone or Devonian. 5th. The Carboniferous proper or Coal 
formation. 6th. The New Red sandstone and the intrusive or 
igneous rocks associated, now regarded as probably of Triassic 
age; and 7th, the overlying drift or boulder formation. 
The arrangement of so many groups of rock formations 
throughout the province in such a manner as to be fairly well 
sustained by more recent and detailed investigation, conclusively 
establishes the fact that in Dr. Gesner the province possessed a 
geologist of no mean order, having a wonderful grasp of the 
difficult problems everywhere presented in connection with the 
rock structure in the eastern provinces, and indicating a marvel- 
lous capacity for scientific investigation. 
During the years from 1838 to 1843, Gesner, at the request. 
of the government of New Brunswick, made a comparatively 
close study of the rock formations found in that province. The 
results of his work appeared in five separate reports of great 
interest, the terms employed to designate the several rock groups 
corresponding closely with those which he employed in his work 
in Nova Scotia. He also published a volume on the general 
resources of New Brunswick which appeared in 1847, in which 
several chapters were devoted to the geological features there 
observed, so that it will be readily seen the life work of Dr. 
Gesner was of great importance and value to both the eastern 
provinces. 
As a sample of his style of writing, the following, taken from 
his description of the Cornwallis valley, as contained in his first 
volume, 1836, may be given :— 
“ Before the visitor descends from the South Mountains near 
Kentville, let him take a view of the extensive valley before him. 
On the north side rise those mountains of basaltic columns, 
which, with proud elevation, line the coast of the Bay of Fundy, 
protecting the beautiful and fertile Township of Cornwallis, and 
all the settlements situated at their base from the bleak north- 
