A POPULAR EXPOSITION, ETC. 111 
by those who adopt similar means? I see around me those who 
have cultivated the subjects of their special study up to that point 
at which valuable results of original researches may naturally be ex- 
pected; whilst there are very few indeed of our members who are 
not qualified by their reading to add to the pleasure of our weekly 
meetings by the communication of papers of general interest, not 
suitable, it may be, for the pages of our Journal, but yet imparting 
information in a new or attractive form, welcome for their intrinsic 
merit, welcome also as the earnest of better things to come. Let 
us, then, gentlemen, proceed in the course which we have so far sue: 
cessfully pursued, thankful for the past, hopeful for the future, with 
the determination to contribute, so far as in us lies, towards the 
advancement of knowledge and the attainment of truth, and with 
the desire to extend the usefulness of an Institute, destined, I doubt 
not, to do good service in promoting “Industry, Science, and Art,” 
in fostering intellectual and literary pursuits amongst our population, 
and in elevating the reputation of our country. 
A POPULAR EXPOSITION OF THE MINERALS AND 
GEOLOGY OF CANADA. 
BY E. J. CHAPMAN, Ph.D. 
PROFESSOR OF MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, TORONTO, 
PART V. 
CANADIAN ROCK-FORMATIONS : THEIR SUBDIVISIONS, FOSSILS, ECONO- 
MIC MATERIALS, AND TOPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
Introductory Notice.—The lowest rocks of the geological series, 
hitherto recognised, consist of a vast thickness of crystalline and 
semi-crystallme strata, or beds in a more or less altered or meta- 
morphic condition, entirely destitute of organic remains, and hence 
classed together under the common term of Azote Rocks. They 
are regarded as sedimentary deposits, collected in the earlier seas 
which extended over the greater portion of the earth during that 
period of its history which preceded the creation of organic types 
In Canada, as will be seen below, these Azoic rocks are enormously 
developed. 
