STRUCTURE OP THE COAL-FIELD OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 227 



square miles, and is occupied by rocks of the Coal formation. Under 

 these rocks the Lower Carboniferous beds no doubt extend ; and in 

 some localities they are in part exposed at the surface by the slight 

 undulations which affect the widely distributed and nearly horizontal 

 beds of this extensive Coal formation area. 



In the first edition of "Acadian Geology," I did not attempt any 

 general description of the New Brunswick Carboniferous area; but 

 since that time the researches of Professor Bailey and of Messrs 

 Matthew and Ilartt, and those of Professor Hind,* with the facts 

 previously published by Sir W. E. Logan, and those in the MS. 

 notes of the late Dr Robb, kindly placed in my hands by his brother, 

 Mr C. liobb of Montreal, have given much additional information. 

 I have also had opportunities of examining the fossil plants collected 

 by Sir W. E. Logan and Mr Ilartt, and of visiting some additional 

 portions of this area. To enter into the details of the new matter thus 

 collected would far exceed ray present space. I shall, under the fol- 

 lowing heads, merely endeavour to present some of the more important 

 facts and conclusions : — 



1. Structure of the Coal-field of New Brunswick. 



The coal area of New Brunswick is remarkable, as compared with 

 Nova Scotia, for the flat and undisturbed condition of its beds, and 

 for the comparative prevalence of sandstones. Indeed, in so far as 

 the appearances present themselves to a cursory observer, the whole 

 of the Coal formation area of New Brunswick may be characterized 

 as a flat expanse of somewhat coarse gray sandstone. Other beds, 

 however, are not wanting, as conglomerate, red sandstone, and shales 

 of various qualities ; but, from the flatness of the beds and general 

 small elevation of the surface, they are not very obvious. 



In attempting to estimate the thickness and relations of the Coal 

 formation area of New Brunswick, the facts observed on the northern 

 coast of the province, between Bathurst and Bay Verte, are of the 

 utmost importance. I have not myself exi)lored this region, having 

 seen it only at a few points; but Sir William Logan has given a 

 detailed section of a portion of it in the vicinity of JJathurst, and 

 much information is contained in the MS. notes and sections of the 

 late Professor Robb of Frederickton referred to above. 



Near Bathurst, the Lower Carboniferous or "Bonavcnture " For- 

 mation, as it has been named by Logan in its extension into Canada, 

 is represented by thick beds of red and gray conglomerate, including 



* " Observations on the Geology of Southern New Brunswick," by Professor Ritiloy. 

 M.A.; Preliminary Ueport, by II. V. lliiul, M.A., etc. 



