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NEW BRUNSWICK. 



3G7 



observing this extraordinary rearrangement of the rocks in Southern 

 New Brunswick, throwing them from 8,000, to 15,000 feet perpendicu- 

 lar, that it has been stated all along tliat the Azoic and Silurian ages 

 were ages of stability and repose, excepting some volcanic action, and 

 that the formations were conformable to one another, with tlie 2)ossible 



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exception of a slight unconformability. between the Portland and Cold- 

 brook groups. It M'ould seem, then, that lithological resembhxnces — 

 especially if accompanied by the dictum of Dr. Hunt — were regarded 

 as being more important than stratigraphical facts. There does not 

 appear to be any evidence of faults or overturns ; but these were im- 

 agined in order to explain the resemblance in lithological characters, and 

 carry out the views of the Canadian geologists. The language of Messrs. 

 Bailey and Mattliew admits of no other possible construction. 



The natural explanation of the lithological resemblances seems to us 

 to be, that similar eruptive materials were originated in difFerent ages. 

 Such faults and ovcrtui-ns should by no means liave been introduced, 

 unless some evidence could be brought forward of their actual exist- 

 ence. 



In the Report of Progress for 187G-77, Mr. Matthew regards the 

 Coastal group as Laurentian, and the Kingston group as partly Upper 

 and partly Lower Silurian. At one place this group is said to uncon- 

 formably overlie the St. John group, and to contain pebbles probably 

 derived from it. (I. c, pp. 334-350.) 



In the Rei)ort of Progress for 1870-78, the Kingston series is regarded 

 by the same gentleman as Up[)cr Silurian on account of palasontologi- 

 cal evidence, although lithologically it appears to be Huronian, and to 

 dip beneath that group. (I. c, p. G E.) 



In Prof. Bailey's report, in the same vohune, the Coldbrook and 

 Coastal groups remain in the JIuronian, and the Upper Coldbrook 

 series is taken away from the St. John group, and replaced in the Hu- 

 ronian below the Coastal, on account of the unconformability of certain 

 rocks supposed to belong to the series, (l. c, pp. 28, 20 DD.) 



The Huronian is conformably interbanded with the Devonian rocks 

 at Bloomsbury Mountain and westward from Black Piver j but that this 

 does not prove that they belong to the same series is said to be shown 

 by the conglomerates of the Devonian being largely made up of debris 

 from the Huronian, and by the absence of confonnability in some places. 

 It would seem that in much of the district in (piestion Prof. Bailey has 

 no other than lithological evidence to prove that ho is dealing with 

 Devonian strata, (l. c, pp. 21-23 DD.) The statement that the Do- 



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