VI PREFACE. 



has had an important influence on the recent rapid development of 

 the mineral resources of his native country ; and he hopes that the 

 present Edition will prove still more extensively useful ; and, in any 

 case, that it will be received in the spirit in which it is offered, as a 

 contribution toward the progress of Acadia, from one of her sons. 



In theoretical Geology, the following may be mentioned as points 

 of general interest more fully discussed in this Edition, or which have 

 been introduced into it for the first time : — 



(1.) The Pre-historic Human period in Acadia, in comparison 

 with that of Europe. 



(2.) The character and origin of the Boulder Clay and Surface 

 Glaciation, in connexion with prevailing theories on these subjects. 



(3.) The Flora of the Carboniferous period, more especially with 

 reference to the affinities of the several genera of plants, and their 

 relative importance in relation to the formation of Coal — a subject 

 which will be found more fully illustrated in this work than in any 

 previous publication. 



(4.) The still more curious and ancient Devonian Flora as dis- 

 played in New Brunswick. 



(5.) The Land Animals of the Carboniferous and Devonian periods, 

 of which Acadia has afforded so many examples. 



(6.) The peculiarities in the nature and age of the Auriferous 

 Deposits of Nova Scotia. 



(7.) The remarkable Primordial Fauna of Southern New Brunswick, 

 and the peculiar development of the Lower Silurian in the eastern 

 slope of North America. 



(8.) Descriptions and illustrations of Fossils from the various 

 formations. 



I may add that I shall have occasion to show, in the following 

 pages, that the rocks of Acadia have, among other important addi- 

 tions to geological science, contributed the first known indications of 

 Carboniferous Reptiles,* and the only known Carboniferous Enalio- 

 saurian, the only Carboniferous land Shells known, the first Carbon- 

 iferous Myriapod, the first Devonian Insects, the only well charac- 

 terized Primordial Fauna in America, and the richest known Devo- 

 nian Flora. 



* 1842, see page 354. 



