94 On the Transition Rocks of the Cataraqiii. 



almost in every case where it can be observed, excepting in some few 

 instances where it immediately joins the granites, is nearly horizontal- 

 ly stratified, the dip being very small and following the usual direc- 

 tions of similar rocks in the great North American basin.* It ap- 

 pears to me very clear, that if the granites of the Cataraqui were tra- 

 chytic a vast extent of the immense limestone plateaux would have 

 been disturbed by their upheaving, as these granites show themselves 

 very frequently on the eastern shore of the river, in distinct hillocks 

 amongst the calcareous beds. Is it not, therefore, probable, that 

 some of those partial cataclysms and earthquakes which have evi- 

 dently shaken Canada in other localities, may have caused the dis- 

 placement of those limited portions of the transition limestones of 

 Kingston which seem not to follow the general laws : indeed, this ap- 

 peared most likely, when, in opening several extensive quarries, the 

 beds were sometimes found so contorted that it was impossible to ob- 

 serve their original connection with the main body, and this although 

 there was no appearance of any extraordinary upheaving of the sub- 

 jacent rocks. 



So far, indeed, am I from yet believing that these assertions con- 

 cerning the porphyries and syenites of the Cataraqui are correct, that 

 I feel assured, proofs will be adduced to show that they are contem- 

 porary formations with the black transition limestone, approaching to 

 lucullite, with few visible organic remains, but containing much car- 

 bon and some oxydulous iron 5 nay, I am even inclined to think, that 

 almost all the granitic aggregates of the country, adjacent to the St. 

 Lawrence, are very highly impregnated with lime, so characteristic 

 with magnesia and titaneous iron, of the transition class. 



Beudant has made the important observation, that the syenite 

 and porphyry of Schemnitz, Plauen and Guanaxuato effervesce with 

 acids, whilst the really trachytic porphyries of Hungary do not pre- 

 sent the same phenomenon. f 



It is also now, a well known fact that the presence of felspar in 

 compact limestone is indicative of the rocks of the intermediary for- 

 mation, and this type is no where more easy of access than in the 

 neighborhood of the Cataraqui, whilst in the same locality, horn- 



* I am not at all well satisfied that the granites themselves are not stratified, the 

 small uncovered portions recently quarried appear to me to be decidedly so, and it 

 is the opinion of the workmen, that they are. 



t Saxjssure and Brochawt found mica slate of transition effervesce, and even 

 also a compact quartz, in the Tarentaise. 



