i66 The Ottawa Naturalist. 



at South March. The Black River and the Trenton formations, 

 between this crossing and the city arc well exposed, and contain 

 well defined characteristic fossils whicn are obtainable from the 

 ledges on the Experimental Farm and on the knolls to the 

 west. An interesting feature to be noticed as we approach the 

 March line is a cutting in which Potsdam sandstone is pene- 

 trated by dykes of quartzose granite which have altered the 

 rocks in contact very considerably. The sandstone in the 

 vicinity contains numerous markings o{ Scolithus, and the quarry 

 from which the stone was obtained of which much of the Parlia- 

 ment buildings is composed, is situated on the hill near by. 

 This locality is therefore of very considerable interest in several 

 ways and affords excellent opportunities for the study of our 

 lowest Palaeozoic formation in the Ottawa basin. As we approach 

 South March station, however, knolls of hard dioritic and 

 granitic rock appear on either hand, and form the eastern 

 terminus of a somewhat extensive ridge of the old Laurentian 

 rocks. These embrace granite, gneiss, crystalline limestone, etc. 

 and in close proximity to. the station are deposits of mica and 

 graphite which form interesting subjects of study to the miner- 

 alogist. A number of minerals can be collected at this place 

 and the locality is well worthy of a visit by the club at some not 

 far distant day. 



From March to Carp the road traverses a depression 

 in these Laurentian rocks, coming out on the Palaeozoic 

 basin about two miles east of the latter station. The old rocks, 

 however, continue along the north side of the railway below 

 this place and present excellent opportunities for the study of 

 the various eruptives which are associated with the Laurentian 

 everywhere throughout this area. At Carp station, several 

 cuttings in the gravels contain shells of marine origin, and the 

 study of the sands and gravels allied to the glacial period can 

 be readily made. The Black River limestone can be well seen 

 two or three miles to the south of the station and these hold 

 an abundance of the characteristic fossils of the formation which 

 xire easily obtainable. 



