464 REVIEWS—GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
so fortunate as to find the rocks on the opposite sides of the fault in juxtaposition. 
On arriving at the spot where a junction was expected there was always a swamp, 
a marsh, prairie, river, lake, or some flat surface covered over with drift. The 
only mode of proving the matter would be by costeening, and it is probable that 
the thickness of the covering would cause this to be attended with much outlay.” 
The agricultural capabilities of the Huronian country, in the dis- 
trict examined by Mr. Murray, greatly surpass, we are happy to 
observe, the ordinary belief—large tracts of good land occurring in — 
many of the more inland localities. Respecting this, Mr. Murray 
States :— 
“Tt has been remarked in former Reports that the north coast of Lake Huron, 
in many parts picturesqne, appears too rocky near the margin to be suited for 
agricultural settlement, though likely in time to become of importance to the 
Province by the development of the metallifferous ores, which the geological 
formation of the region is known to contain. But while this description is appli- 
cable to the coast line and the margins of some of the rivers and larger lakes of 
the interior, it is by no means so to the country in general. On the contrary there 
are in many parts, especially in the valleys of the Thessalon and its tributaries, 
extensive tracts of the finest lands, covered with a luxuriant growth of hard wood 
interspersed with stately pine trees, probably equal in average size to any of the 
same species known in the Province. 
“Tn the immediate neighbourhood of the Bruce and Wellington mines and 
thence to Portlock Harbour, the country is for the most part broken by low rocky 
ridges, the flat land between which is in general densely covered with thickets of 
spruce, balsam, or in marshy parts with tamaracks; but occasional patches display 
a stout growth of maple and white birch. In many parts the low gronnds open 
out into extensive prairies or marshes, usually well covered with wild grass, and 
prettily dotted with clumps and little groves of small tamaracks or bushy spruce. 
The timber on the wooded flats is certainly not such as in general is supposed to 
indicate a very fertile soil, but much of the surface is nevertheless susceptible of 
cultivation, and there can be little doubt that with successful mines to produce a 
market for surplus produce, farming to a considerable extent might be advan- 
tageously followed. Admirably adapted for grazing, the prairies might also supply 
an ample stock of winter fodder for cattle, while nearly all the ordinary spring 
crops might be raised from the arable portions of the land.” 
Mr. Richardson’s explorations relate to the Gaspé peninsula, and 
form a continuation of his previous researches in that district. They 
extend over a wide area, comprising examinations of the valley of 
the Marscuin, the coast line between the Marsouin and the Great 
Metis, the valleys of the latter river, the Patapedia and the Resti= 
gouche, and the country between the Metis and the Riviere du Loup. 
Numerous details of local interest on the geographical features and 
geology of these localities, together with a useful map, are given in 
