On the Transition Rocl^s of the CataraquL 93 



The sliore of Lake Ontario, near Kingston, on wliich we have re- 

 marked that the more ancient rocks have hitherto been supposed 

 to exist, is covered with boulders of different sizes and shapes, some 

 being large masses of tolerably pure quartz, of various shades : others 

 of different granitic aggregates j otliers of hard silicious schists, and 

 others jasper, of a coarse quality, with black, basaltic looking masses, 

 and many sandstones. JMica is comparatively rare in all those 

 along the borders of the lake, but as we ascend tlie plateaux of lime- 

 stone above, we find that common mineral in all its various associa- 

 tions with quartz and felspar; on tlic whole, however, felspathic and 

 hornbleudic boulders predominate, and tliere arc but few amygda- 

 loids, porphyries, or conglomerates. We have not observed the or- 

 ganic remains mentioned in the subjoined note, although frequently 

 sought for.* 



These boulders generally appear on the surfaces of the calcareous 

 strata, or on the incumbent soil, but wherever the marly deposit has 

 occurred to any extent, they are disposed in it, at various depths. 



We have imagined that these transported masses have some gen- 

 eral tendency to particular lines of direction, and that they form wavy 

 lines spreading towards the same points, commonly, as the directive 

 ones of the calcareous strata, but the country is yet so much covered 

 with wood that this cannot be positively stated. With respect to tliat 

 extremely far fetched and somewhat affected notion that they exhibit 



r 



what is termed "diluvian dressings," we have only to remark, that 

 no evidence is afforded by the vast multitude of boulders near King- 

 ston, to show either that they have been rolled to the sites they noW 

 occupy, or, that having been once stationed, they have had to undergo 

 the acdon of water, for long periods, on any one of their sides. 



It will be remembered, that we have spoken of Humboldt's divis- 

 ion of transition rocks, and we shall now proceed to exemplify such 

 parts of it as meet our views in endeavoring to trace the Cataraqui 

 formations, stating whatever occurs, to point out most clearly their rela- 

 tions to die country under examination. 



« C( 



A Kingston, ainsi que sur la pliip.irt ties cotes du Lac Ontario, les cailloux, 

 sontdesdiiferentesespecesdes schistes durs, des chouches de quartz, et granite. On 

 voit prds du rivage des grosses pierres noires roul6es, ressemblant a des basaltes, et 

 beaucoTip des pierres sablonneuses, contenant des impressions d'animaux de mer : en 

 descendant le fleuve St. Laurent, Ic pays est scJiittcux." — Guxllemanl. 



