JUNE 28, 1901. ] 
Silurian, the only fossils found therein, at 
widely separated points, were, with a single 
exception, where an Ordovician fauna oc- 
curs, such as to indicate a much more re- 
cent (Silurian or Devonian) horizon. In 
the investigation of the problems arising 
from this fact, and in the effort to deter- 
mine, upon behalf of the Geological Survey, 
more exact knowledge as to what systems 
were actually present and their relative 
limits, the author of this paper was, during 
the past summer, fortunate in being able 
to obtain evidence in the discovery of cer- 
tain graptolitie strata, tending to confirm 
the original view that large portions of the 
belts in question are really of Cambrian 
age, with a probability that other large 
areas are still older, representing either the 
Etcheminian formation, so called, of Mat- 
thew or the Huronian of other writers. 
The facts relating to these observations, 
which have a bearing upon questions of a 
far-reaching character in relation to Acadian 
geology, are in this paper briefly summar- 
ized and discussed. 
On the Subdivisions of the Cambrian System 
in Canada: H. M. Amt, M.A., D.Sc., F.G.S., 
of the Geological Survey of Canada. 
This paper discusses the various geolog- 
ical formations which naturally fall under 
the Cambrian system in British North 
America. An attempt is made to present 
a systematic table giving the succession of 
the different faunas of this system and the 
different formations under which each falls. 
The main object of this paper is to bring 
the nomenclature of this system to date 
with a view of classifying the organic re- 
mains comprised within its limits, with a 
brief discussion as to these limits. 
A Backward Step in Paleobotany: G. F. 
Martruew, LL.D. 
This is a review of the attempt made to 
claim the plant beds in the Little River 
Group and their flora, and so the whole 
SCIENCE. 
1019 
terrane, as Carboniferous. This claim is 
made on Paleobotanical grounds by Messrs. 
D. White, R. Kidston and H. M. Ami. 
The article recites the stratigraphical and 
physical objections to this view, and in this 
connection two sections near St. John are 
given, showing the relation of this terrane 
to the lower Carboniferous. The fauna of 
the plant beds is reviewed, and it is sug- 
gested that even from this point of view 
thére is not sufficient evidence to overthrow 
the result arrived at by those who had 
previously studied the flora and the stra- 
tigraphy. Dr. Bailey, Dr. Ells, Mr. H. S. 
Pooleand Dr. Ami took part in the discussion 
which followed the reading of this paper. 
The first three gentlemen brought forth all 
the arguments possible bearing on the De- 
vonian age of the plant beds in question. 
Dr. Ami pointed out the synchronism exist- 
ing between these beds and the Carbonifer- 
ous strata of other parts of North America 
and Europe. 
Notes on Some Butterflies from Western 
Canada: Dr. JAMEs FuercHEerR, Dominion 
Entomologist. 
This paper described interesting captures 
made in the northwest Territories and the 
Rocky Mountain region of Canada. 
The Avifauna of the Province of Quebec: 
Sir JAmes M. LeMorne, Knut. F.R.S.C. 
This forms an interesting check-list of 
the birds of the Province of Quebec. 
A Dual Classification required in the No- 
menclature of the Geological Formations in 
Different Systems in Canada: H. M. Amt, of 
the Geological Survey of Canada. 
This paper brings forward the result of 
special work carried on by the writer dur- 
ing the past fifteen years in the classifica- 
tion of numerous geological formations 
throughout the Paleozoic Period in Hastern 
Canada. It has become necessary, in the 
light of recent investigation, to introduce 
two parallel columns at least, in the suc- 
