AMERICAN GEOLOGY — DECADE OF 1860-1869. 



549 



Upon the recommendation of Logan, Dr. A. R. C. Selwyn, an Eng- 

 lishman, for several years connected with, the geological survey of 

 ( J reat Britain under De la Beche, and from 1852 until 1869 director of 

 the geological' survey of Victoria, Australia, was. upon 

 under seiwyn, the retirement of the tirst named, made director of the 



geological survey of Canada. In this capacity Selwyn 

 served for twenty-five years, or until 1894. He was assisted by 

 II. H. Ami, Elkanah Billings, and J. F. Whiteaves. paleontologists; 

 Robert Bell, George M. Dawson, James Richardson, and J. B. Tyr- 

 rell, geologists, and B. J. Harrington and T. Sterry Hunt, chemists. 

 With this efficient corps the work of the sur- 

 vey was pushed vigorously, hut, extending 

 as it did beyond the time limits laid down 

 for this sketch, it can be touched upon but 

 briefly. 



During the period of his administration 

 twenty large annual reports were issued and 

 nine volumes on paleontology and paleo- 

 botany. The work of the survey was pushed 

 westward as far as British Columbia, and 

 though ever with economic ends in view, 

 much was accomplished in the wa}^ of pure 

 science. The gold fields of Nova Scotia 

 were investigated and the silver deposits of 

 Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior. The 

 stratigraphic problems involved in Logan's "Quebec group" also 

 received attention. His aim from the start, as stated by one of his 

 biographers, was to make the survey an eminently practical depart- 

 ment in which the records of the mines and mineral statistics should 

 be kept for the use of both the Parliament and the public. 



Selwyn is pictured to us as a scholar of rare ability, social, amiable, 

 and chivalrous in private life, but a strict disciplinarian; tall, grace- 

 ful, quick, and alert, of a rather highstrung and nervous disposition, 

 and with a keen and observant eye. His bibliography consists mainly 

 of short papers and summaries published in connection with his official 

 reports. 



Fig. 84.— Alfred Richard Cecil 

 Sehvyn. 



