2 1 2 Mineralogy and Geology of a part of Nova Scotia. 



metallic salts, produced by the combination of its constitu- 

 ent principles, carbonic and phosphoric acids, with the sur- 

 rounding iron, assisted as we have before ventured to say, 

 by heat. 



In addition to these, v;e have other arguments, derived 

 from the phenomena presented by the ore, for ascribing the 

 changes produced in it, to the calorific injfluence of a subse- 

 quent cause. It is well known, that iron is deposited from a 

 watery or aqueous solution, only in the state of peroxide. 

 Now the aqueous origin of this bed, is evinced by the pres- 

 ence of marine shells, to be met with in every part ot it. And 

 in accordance with the Wernerian theory, the space it now 

 occupies, must once have been a deep open fissure, into 

 which the ocean, when it overwhelmed the land, poured a 

 part of its living contents ; thus supposing the ore at Pictou, 

 Nictau, and Clement's to have been formed at the same time, 

 and by the same natural cause. How is it then, that the ore, 

 as we now meet with it, assumes such totally different char- 

 acters, in different parts of the same bed ; that of Pictou be- 

 ing in the state of peroxide, as it was deposited from aqueous 

 solution above, and that of Clement's, in the state of the 

 magnetic or protoxide ? — We conceive it undeniable, that 

 this great change must be ascribed exclusively to the heat, at- 

 tending the production of the trap rocks, of the North Moun- 

 tains, rendering the ore at Clement's, in the immediate vicini- 

 ty, strongly magnetic, by driving off' a portion of its oxygen, 

 while that at Pictou, more remotely situated, was not sensi- 

 bly affected by its influence, but retains its full quantity of 

 oxvgen. Besides, according to this theory, we are enabled 

 to account for the existence of so large a quantity, of car- 

 bonate of lime in the latter ore — the heat not having been 

 sufficient to drive oflTthe carbonic acid, from the fossil shells 

 contained in it. The superior compactness of the former, 

 its greater specific gravity, and more intimate union with 

 the adjoining slate, from which, in most places, it is difficult to 

 discover any line of separation, alike conduce to the confir- 

 mation of this theory. 



We submit this theory, thus supported by facts, to the con- 

 siderations of geologists, assured as we are, that should they 

 trace the same ground, they would arrive at the same con- 

 clusion. If true, it proves at least the igneous origin of trap 

 rocks in Nova Scotia ; for on this supposition it entirely de- 

 pends. It is therefore, we think, only by amalgamating 



