84 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



of tlie whole region, on a scale of two miles to an iucli, and in 200 feet 

 approximate contours, is now very nearly finished. 



Geologically the area surveyed divides itself into three natural dis- 

 tricts: first, the sedimentary rocks of the i^laius; second, the great 

 system of archsean metamorphic schists and granites forming the Front 

 and Park ranges, with some minor areas 5 and third, the sedimentary 

 rocks of the Middle Park. 



On account of the greater length of time spent upon the, eastern 

 mountain-zone, a very great Jinmber of observations were made upon 

 the archssan rocks composing it, and a fair insight gained of their gen- 

 eral characters. Though the sedimentary rocks were much more rapidly 

 passed over, yet their comparative simplicity of structure and persist- 

 ence of litbological characters rendered them easier of study, and has 

 permitted of my plotting all my observations among them on the drain- 

 age map furnished me by Mr. Bechier early in the spring, and of my 

 completing my chapters upon them to the full extent of my observa- 

 tions. 



I may say here that during the season the sedimentary rocks of the 

 plains were avoided as much as 'possible, and preference given to the 

 less-known archsean rocks of the adjacent mountains, with the expecta- 

 tion that when the autumn snows should have driven us from the latter 

 work could still be prosecuted among the former, an expectation not re- 

 alized because of the early return of the party to the .Bast. In order to 

 make my scattered observations among these sedimentaries more con- 

 nected and useful I have thought it desirable, therefore, to utilize such 

 other published observations upon them as I have been able to find, 

 chiefly from your own reports, giving credit and references in their proper 

 places. 



Notwithstanding the special attention given to the archtean rooks, 

 their far greater complexity requires that before the large number of 

 disconnectecl observations made among them can be properly discussed 

 and correct results drawn from them, they should first be carefully 

 plotted on the finished topographical map. Since this is as yet impos- 

 sible, I have been obliged to treat this subject — the most interesting one 

 presented in the region in question — very briefly, simply giving the 

 most general impressions received while in the field, and without a proper 

 digest of the notes at hand. 



Accompanyiug the report I submit also a provisional geological map, 

 colored on a photographic copy of the drainage maj) of the district, as 

 accurately as it can be done on a map expressing no topographical feat- 

 ures except the streams, and which will serve for office use until the 

 completion of the final map. 



The report which Mr. Ladd makes to you separately on the means of 

 communication, elevations, distribution of timber and agricultural lands, 

 and population within the district, will greatly supplement the first 

 chapter of mj report, and completes, I believe, the record which is to 

 appear in this annual report of the material gathered by the Middle 

 Park division during the past season. 



Besides acknowledging cordial co-operation from all members of the 

 party, I wish also to refer to the many services volunteered by Messrs. 

 Luce and Nealy while attached to it. 



For aid in my own specialty I wish to particularly recognize the serv- 

 ices of Mr. Holmes, Mr. Ladd, and George Bowline in the field, and of 

 Mr. Ladd and Mr. Holmes in the office, for to them are chiefly due the 

 sections, maps, and views accompanying this report. To Mr. Berthoud, 



