1 4 Sketch of the Geology of the Arctic Regions, 



ALLUVIAL ROCKS. 



Very few alluvial rocks were met with in those parts of the arctic 

 regions, in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay. The most striking objects 

 are the outliers or bowlders, spread over some of the islands.* Whole 

 limestone islands are strewed over with blocks of gneiss, granite, 

 and quartz, both in rolled masses, and angular fragments. 



IV. Greenland. 



Schist of a black color, enclosing garnets, agate, limestone, ala- 

 baster, mica in small plates or scales, flexible asbestus, soapstone, 

 potstone, quartz, jasper, topaz, red garnets, by some lapidaries call- 

 ed ruby, and quartz crystals. 



According to Crantz, the potstone, of which the natives make 

 their lamps and kettles, occurs but rarely, and is an article of trade 

 among them. They carry utensils made of it, to districts where it is 

 not found, and barter them for provisions, furs, he. The Green- 

 landers sometimes send them as presents to persons of distinction in 

 Denmark, where they are highly valued, as it is thought that articles 

 of food prepared in them are finer than when done in metallic vessels. 

 The stone is soft and compact, and more easily carved or turned 

 than wood. It does not crack or scale off, but hardens after being 

 ■tvrought, and grows firmer by fire. When rubbed with oil, it ac- 

 quires a beautiful porcelain smoothness. The cuttings are like fine 

 flour, or viscous clay, and have a greasy feel. He adds, that he 

 saw a few curious petrifactions of fishes, but could discover no pum- 

 ice, or basalt rocks, or other volcanic appearances. f Coal and sul- 

 phur are of rare occurrence, but iron and lead ores are seen with 

 indications of copper. 



The mountains rise in sharp peaks and splinters, furrowed and 

 scarred with deep weather stained fissures, so perpendicular on the 

 south sides, as to be uncovered with snow. The lower elevations 

 rise with broad backs, and are constantly enveloped with snow and 

 ice. The surface of the vallies, generally, consists of white sand, 



* Prof. Jameson's notes on the geology of the arctic regions. 

 t Basalt rocks are mentioned by O'Reilly, as of frequent occurrence. — See 

 O'Reilly's voyages to Greenland, in 1817. 



