THE 



CANADIAN, 



NATURALIST AND GEOLOGIST, 



Volume III. MARCH, 1858. Number 2. 



ARTICLE X. — Geological Survey of Canada. Reports of Pro- 

 gress for the Years 1853-1856. 



(second article.) 



Id the previous article, the able Report of Mr. Murray, Assist- 

 ant Geologist, was passed over with a very short notice, the 

 region traversed by him being of comparatively small geological 

 interest. It is however a region of some economical importance. 

 Lying in the route which many Canadian public men have 

 marked out as probably destined to be one of the great lines of 

 communication between the Upper Lakes and the Ocean, the 

 country between Lake Huron and the Upper Ottawa may by its 

 topographical facilities or difficulties, or by its fertility or sterility, 

 aid or oppose the establishment of such communication, while, 

 by its mineral or other productions, it may offer inducements to 

 enterprise that may give it other claims than those of a mere 

 way of transit. Based almost entirely on rocks of the Lauren- 

 tian system, it presents a rugged though not very elevated sur- 

 face, and abounds in lakes, streams, and swampy hollows ; and its 

 soils, with the exception of those on the bands of limestone and 

 other calcareous rocks, must on the whole be of inferior quality. 

 Its agricultural capabilities alone therefore cannot be regarded 

 as likely to promote its speedy settlement. We must not how- 

 ever follow the practice too common in new countries, of abso- 



