336 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904 



It is evident here that he considered the bowlder structure incident 

 to decomposition as original and due to method of extrusion. 



Some interesting views regarding volcanic agencies are given in 

 discussing the possible origin of the buhrstone, a chalcedonic rock 

 carrying abundant casts of shells. The material as found occurred 

 "only on the upper part of eminences and the edges of inverted 

 cones.' 1 '' This he seemed to think offered a sufficient demonstration of 

 its igneous origin, and he would account for its uplift on the theory 

 of submarine explosions taking place over a large extent of sea bottom 

 simultaneously. The vesicular character of the buhrstone he likewise 

 regarded as indicative of its volcanic origin. "It is highly probable 

 that the fused mass in that state was spread over the bottom of the 

 then existing ocean and that these vesicles or holes were the effect of 

 water converted into steam by the influence of the heat of the mass." 

 Inasmuch as the fusion of silica without the aid of some other con- 

 stituent to act as a flux is a phenomenon unknown in nature, such 

 views now strike one as somewhat extraordinary. Nevertheless they 

 were in accord with their time. 



Although no use was made of fossils in attempting to ascertain the 

 relative age of the various rocks, he nevertheless recognized the fact 

 that they indicated a sedimentary origin. He wrote: 



Geological investigation has led to the conclusion that there have been a number 

 of deluges at different periods or, rather, that the oceanic waters have swept over 

 the land, continued for an indefinite period, and then retreated several times, leaving 

 their debris behind them. In no other place, perhaps, is the truth of the hypothesis 

 1 tetter established than in this region, where fossil remains of different animals char- 

 acterize different formations, as it is evident that these fossils must have been formed 

 from animals who could not have existed under the earth, but on its surface and at 

 the bottom of the then existing sea. 



This well-meant attempt to arouse public interest proved only par- 

 tially successful. The legislature of the following winter adopted a 

 resolution authorizing the governor to employ a suitable and well 

 qualified person to undertake the work and appropriated $10,000 to 

 carry it on. Doctor Little was thereupon appointed State geologist, 

 but as the legislature of 1840 abolished the office nothing of value was 

 accomplished. 



For but the third time in this history we are called upon to step 



be} 7 ond the limits of the United States, and for the second time upon 



the soil of Nova Scotia, a land still later made famous through the 



labors of Logan and the elder Dawson. In 1836 there 



Qesner's 1 ° , , 



work in appeared a volume of 2<2 octavo pages, entitled Ke- 



Nova Scotia, 1836. l l . l & ' n 



marks on the Geology and Mineralogy or Nova hcotia, 

 by Abraham Gesner. This had been preceded only by Jackson and 

 Alger's work, and was for its time unquestionably a remarkable book. 

 A geological map of the interior of the peninsula accompanied the 

 volume. The southwestern border was colored as occupied by primary 



