438 THE PROGRESS OF GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION 



Silurian, the term being still held as applicable to a 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- 



