Revieics — Geological Survey of Canada. 175 



of tbe same shore-line." Somewhat similar conclusions are drawn 

 from the examination of two Neocomian boulders. 



In the second part the paleeoutology of the fossils found in 

 the boulders is worked out with great care and discrimination, 

 and, in fact, occupies the greater portion of the entire work. The 

 formations are dealt with in order from Lias to Gault inclusive. 

 Much pains is bestowed on the synonymy and distribution of 

 each species recorded, whilst the list of the principal works referred 

 to may serve to show the number of authors consulted. There 

 are eight plates of fossils from photographs executed by E. Wilson, 

 of Cambridge. This method is now largely employed on the 

 Continent, and in cases like the present, where the point is 

 identification rather than description, the results may be regarded 

 as decidedly good. It is clear that some of the fossils cannot 

 have been badly preserved. The Gasteropoda are the least 

 satisfactory. 



III. — Geological Survey of Canada. G. M. Dawson, C.M.G., 

 LL.D., F.R.S., Director. Annual Report (New Series), vol. ix, 

 Eeports A, F, I, L, M, E, S, for 1896. With plates and maps. 

 8vo. (Ottawa : Dawson, 1898.) 



THIS volume comprises 816 pages and contains five maps and 

 twenty plates. It begins, as usual, with a summary report, 

 addressed to the Minister of the Interior, by the Director, Dr. George 

 M. Dawson, C.M.G., F.R.S., dated 1st January, 1897, which sets 

 forth the work done in the year 1896 at the Museum and head- 

 quarters of the Survey in Ottawa, and that accomplished in the 

 field, the latter including zoological and botanical as well as 

 geological work. 



Among other matters of greater or less importance relating to 

 the Museum, the Director insists strongly on the advisability of 

 a new Museum being built, which should be safer and more com- 

 modious than the present one, which he alleges to be, both by 

 construction and situation, in grave danger of destruction by fire. 



Dr. Dawson brings into prominence once more the essential 

 functions of the Geological Survey by remarking that its chief 

 work is " that of providing geological maps and reports of the 

 several parts of the country, such as to be of value to the explorer, 

 the miner, and others," and he adds that " the demand for informa- 

 tion of the kind has been greater than ever before." He further 

 states that the Geological Survey is the only organization under 

 the Dominion Government which undertakes a general mapping of 

 the country as a whole, work which has been carried on from the 

 commencement of the Survey in 1843. 



Very notable progress was made during the year 1896 " in the 

 development of the mineral resources of Canada, both in the way 

 of actual work and in attracting the attention and interest of capital. 

 British Columbia has begun to evidence its value as a permanent 

 producer of the precious metals, in a manner long foreseen by those 



