Mineralogy and Geology of apart of Nova Scotia. 133 



naught, beneath the insurmountable precipices, by the rapid 

 influx of the tides. An accident of this liind having nearly hap- 

 pened to ourselves in examining the geology of Cape D'Or, 

 M^here we were under the necessity of making our escape 

 by clambering up a mural precipice three hundred feet high, 

 which was effected with great risk of falling with the detach- 

 ed columns on which we depended for support, we think it 

 our duty to warn our successors of such hazards, and to re- 

 commend a boat as the ark of safety in such emergencies. 



The trap rocks form the extremities of Cape Chignecto, 

 Cape D'Or, Cape Sharp and most of the islands scattered 

 along the northern coast of the Basin of Mines. As each of 

 these places exhibits some interesting geological phenomena, 

 and furnishes manyspecimensofmineralsof remarkable beau- 

 ty, we shall describe them in order, begmnmg at the mouth 

 of the basin and proceeding eastwardly along its northern 

 shore. 



Cape Chignecto, although it is not situated within the ba- 

 sin, can be more conveniently described here than elsewhere. 

 It is connected with Cape D'Or and projects to the west from 

 it into the Bay of Fundy. This cape was seen only at a 

 distance by ourselves, but the craggy precipices clearly in- 

 dicated its composition to be of greenstone trap, like the ad- 

 jacent cape, next to be described. This surmise has since 

 been confirmed by the examination of its structure by our 

 friend Dr. Benjamin Lincoln, who has kindly communicated 

 to us many facts relating to the geology of the county of 

 Cumberland. 



The trap forming the extremity of Cape Chignecto, which 

 is the southeastern hmit of the county of Cumberland, ex- 

 tends back into the county nearly to Apple River, where it 

 meets the sandstone hereafter to be described, and termin- 

 ates abruptly ; the sandstone coming boldly into contact with 

 the trap, and not dipping beneath it as usually happens. The 

 strata of this rock are nearly horizontal, and Dr. L. suggests 

 the probability of a fault existing in the strata at this junction. 

 This cape deserves a more attentive examination to deter- 

 mine if this be true, as it must have an important bearing on 

 the theory of the origin of trap rocks, and would lead to the 

 opinion that the weight of this superincumbent rock had 

 caused the fragile sandstone to yield to its pressure and thus 

 accomplished the dislocation of the strata. 



