TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION C. 713 



mense accumulation of argillaceous ami carbonaceous sediment. In the Cumber- 

 land coal-field a long-continued alternation of shale and sandstone allowed the 

 formation of sixty-seven coal beds, only two of which in the ' Joggins Section ' are 

 of workable size. 



It is noticeable that in the Pictou and Cumberland coal-fields the most produc- 

 tive horizon is at the base of the coal-measures, and comparatively speaking, ot 

 limited thickness. Thus at Pictou, the lower 1,300 feet hold fifteen beds, yielding 

 119 feet of coal. At Springhill, in the Cumberland district, the lower 1,000 feet 

 of the coal measures hold twelve beds, containing 51 feet of coal. The overlying 

 measures are more arenaceous, and hold a much smaller proportion of coal in both 

 districts. In the Cape Breton coal-field there are now exposed only 1,300 feet of 

 productive measures immediately overlying the Millstone Grit, and holding the 

 workable seams. 



The question naturally arises if it might not be considered that at one time the 

 Cape Breton coal-field may not have had a total thickness of strata equalling that 

 recorded in Pictou and Cumberland, and that possibly the upper section was similar 

 in development. 



The coals from these districts present several points of difference. Thus the 

 slightly higher ash contents of the Pictou and Cumberland coals may be connected 

 with the predominance of the including beds of shale as compared with the more 

 arenaceous measures of Cape Breton, and a low ash percentage in the coals. 



Other differences between the districts may be referred to conditions of deposi- 

 tion, foldings, drainage, &c. 



As yet the study of the fossils of the three districts does not show any points 

 of difference calling for remark, but this subject has not yet received a share of 

 attention equal to that bestowed on the points of economic interest. 



The above and other differences between the districts are perhaps more justly 

 considered due to local differences of the deposition extending over large areas 

 than as marking distinctions between individual and isolated coal-fields. 



3. On the Coals of Canada. By H. A. Budden. 



Coal is widely distributed over the Dominion ; from the extreme eastern point 

 on the Atlantic, in the Island of Cape Breton, it occurs, and through a portion of 

 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ; from thence a wide blank exists, until about 

 the ninety-seventh parallel is reached ; from it to the base of the liocky Mountains 

 extensive fields are being developed ; it is also met at various points in British 

 Columbia, but Vancouver Island on the Pacific oontains the most valuable 

 deposits. 



Central Canada, although deprived of coal, is contiguous to the immense fields 

 of Pennsylvania, Ohio, &c, and through the medium of the great lakes and the 

 railways, is readily served at moderate cost. 



The principal fields are five in number. Those in Nova Scotia are carefully 

 described by Sir William Dawson, in his ' Acadian Geology,' but among others, 

 Sir Charles- Lyell, Sir William Logan, Messrs. Brown, Hartley, Robb, and gentle- 

 men in the service of the Geological Survey of Canada, have given much attention 

 to the subject. The North-West fields have been surveyed partially by the Geo- 

 logical Survey, Dr. George Dawson doing the principal work. Vancouver Island and 

 British Columbia are indebted to the late Mr. Richardson and Dr. George Dawson 

 for the results from their surveys ; their reports are to be found in the records of 

 the Geological Survey. 



Cape Breton. — The coal-field is carboniferous, the measures consist of an 

 accumulation of strata, comprising shale, sand-stone and fire-clay, with numerous 

 valuable seams of bituminous coal. The principal field is about thirty-one miles 

 long, bounded on the north by the ocean, ou the south by the Millstone Grit, the 

 outcrops of the seams are found on the shores of the deep bay. The measures lie at 

 an easy angle, dipping under the sea. 



Pictou County has the next important field, and is widely known on account of 



