HONEYMAX OX THE GEOLOGY OF XOVA SCOTIA. 197 



The metamorphic slates which intervene are also intersected by 

 veins having a granitic composition, i. e. quartz with abundance of 

 mica aggregations. These, in this character have some resem- 

 blance to the slates in the vicinity of Halifax, to which I have late- 

 ly been directing attention. Proceeding with the section, we have 

 diorites which project boldly into the sea ; these pass into serpen- 

 tine having considerable beds of serpentinous limestone, which 

 extend into the diorite to the distance of about half a mile. This 

 is the bed of the supposed Eozoon, and the supposed evidence of 

 Laurentian age. Then we have diorite with quartz veins having 

 abundance of talc foliated, and in prismatic crystals. Next comes 

 diorite, perphyritic, with large crystals of amphibole. Then diorite 

 with numerous veins of quartz and saccharine limestone. This is 

 a character which it has in common with the syenite of the section. 

 After this is diorite with blue crystalline limestone in lenticular 

 beds and veins. Then hornblendic rock. Lastly, dioiites with 

 crystalline limestones, serpentine and serpentinous limestones. 



This series is beautifully connected in its parts by blending, and 

 by a sort of system of venation, the results of a common metamor- 

 phism, but still I regard it as composed of two divisions which 

 probably belong to two different geological periods. 



I regard the syenite, as belonging to the azoic period ; and the 

 diorites, argillites, ophites, and varieties of crystalline limestone, 

 serpentinous and bluish as belonging to the Lower Silurian period. 



I consider that there is here a sort of parallelism with rocks which 

 I have lately examined in Halifax and environs. I shall have 

 occasion to refer to this point in a future communication. 



I would now show the relation which this Lower Arisaio; series 

 bears to the Upper Arisaig series, and to an associated formation. 

 On the north-west side of the series there is necessarily obscurity, 

 as the rocks pass into Northumberland Straits. On the south-east 

 side the overlying rocks are lower carboniferous, consisting of 

 conglomerate, grits, sandstones, and limestones. Toward Cape 

 George they are succeeded by a considerable band of metamorphic 

 argillites, which much resemble those of the Antigonish Sugar 

 Loaf range. These as I have shown elsewhere, are in all proba- 

 bility Middle Silurian; they are well exposed along the shore. 



