18 



ACADIAN GEOLOGY. 



manner in which they were formed, the periods of the earth's history 

 in which they were produced, and the evidences they afford of the 

 condition of the earth in those periods, the fossils which are embedded 

 in them, and the useful minerals which they contain. No farther 

 introduction will be required to enable the non-geological reader to 

 understand the conclusions arrived at on these subjects, as well as 

 in some degree the manner in which geologists reach these con- 

 clusions. Nature, when carefully examined and minutely described, 

 is her own best interpreter ; and I have endeavoured so to arrange 

 the subjects treated of as to lead gradually from those modern causes 

 and changes with which nearly all are familiar, to the more ancient 

 natural processes and events, which can be understood only by calling 

 the modern conditions of the earth's surface as witnesses to prove the 

 nature and origin of their predecessors. Fortunately, Nova Scotia 

 affords in its modern deposits many remarkable parallels to the 

 conditions evidenced by its rock formations ; and when we fail to 

 discover such analogies within the province, they can generally be 

 obtained by a reference to other countries with which the greater 

 number of intelligent persons are familiar. Should any farther aid 

 be required, it may be obtained by a reference to any of those ele- 

 mentary geological works which are now so numerous and accessible. 

 For these reasons, I shall not detain the reader with any geological 

 information of a general character, other than that contained in the 

 following table, which shows the formations already noticed in con- 

 nexion with the map and sections, in their relation to the complete 

 geological series, as represented in the rocks of Britain and those 



of the great mainland of North America. 



Tabular View of the Geological Formations of the Acadian Provinces^ 

 compared with those of Great Britain^ the United States^ and Canada. 



I. Cainozoic, or Modern and Tertiary. 



Formations recognised in the 

 Acadian Provinces. 



w ( Peat Bogs, Lake Deposits, 

 I -<^ Intervales, Marshes, Sand 

 2- {^ Dunes, etc. 



' Terraces, Raised Beaches, 

 and Gravel Ridgres. 



Si 



Marine Clays of St John, 

 etc. 

 Boulder Clav. 



Canada. 



Similar 

 deposits. 



Saxicava 

 Sand. 



Leda Clay. 



Boulder Clav. 



Kepresentatives in 

 United States. 



Similar deposits. 



River Terraces. 



Champlain Clay. 

 Boulder Clay. 



Britain. 



Similar 

 deposits. 



Cave Deposits 

 and River 

 Gravels. 



Marine 

 Clays. 



Glacial Drift. 



