GEOLOGY OF THE WESTERN DISTRICTS OF CANADA. 497 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHYSICAL GEOLOGY OF 
THE WESTERN DISTRICTS OF CANADA. 
BY CHARLES ROBB, C.E., HAMILTON, C.W. 
The investigation and illustration of the geological structure of 
the surrounding country, whether we regard it simply as a matter 
of scientific interest or of practical utility, must ever form one of 
the most prominent objects of such Associations as that of which 
this Journal is the organ. To those whose previous studies have 
given them a taste for, and aptitude in, such pursuits, no subject 
can possess greater interest, or add greater zest to the enjoyment of 
their excursions, whether of business or pleasure; while even to 
those whose acquaintance with geological science may be but super- 
ficial, the knowledge of those causes which have operated in deter- 
mining the configuration of our coasts, and in producing the most 
prominent features of the scenery by which we are surrounded, must 
be a source of pure and elevating enjoyment. Again, as a striking 
instance of the benefit of such investigations in a utilitarian sense, 
I need only advert to the fact that both in Canada and in the neigh- 
bouring State of New York, before the deductions of geological 
science were brought to bear. upon the public mind, large sums of 
money were squandered in abortive attempts to find coal in rocks 
below the carboniferous series. In exposing the absurdity of such 
attempts, and thereby rendering the resources thus wasted available 
in more profitable channels, the science of geology has conferred on 
this Province a service which will amply justify the expenditure of 
the sums granted by Government for the prosecution of these re- 
searches. 
Sir Roderick Murchison computes that the money expended in 
England alone, before geology was understood, in searching for coal 
where it would now be considered madness to expect it, would be 
sufficient to effect a correct general geological examination of the 
entire crust of the globe. 
I propose, in this and subsequent papers, to Jay before the readers 
of the Canadian Journal the results of such investigations into the 
physical geography of the western districts of Canada as I have had 
it in my power to make during a residence of upwards of eight years 
yu those parts of the Province. The region embraced in these ex- 
