Geological Gleanings. 191 



are absent here, though brought up on the northern side of the 

 coal-trough of Cumberland, where, as well as in New Brunswick 

 (Peticodiac River, &c), they are remarkable for their highly 

 bituminous composition, their well-preserved fish-remains, and the 

 almost entire absence of plants. To the north, at the Bay of Cha- 

 leurs, the great calcareous conglomerate, with sandstone-and shale, 

 2766 feet thick, described by Logan, and containing a few plant- 

 remains, probably represent the Lower Coal-measures of Nova 

 Scotia. In eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton the Middle 

 Coal-measures are found at Caribou Cove and elsewhere; the 

 marine limestones and gypsums, and the underlying sandstones 

 and shales, are seen at Plaister Cove ; also at Right's River, and 

 St. Mary's River. 



In Nova Scotia these older Coal-measures, as compared w ith the 

 true coal-measures, are more calcareous, more rich in remains of 

 fishes, and have fewer vegetable remains, and indications ot terres- 

 trial surfaces. They occur generally along the margins of the 

 coal-areas, near their old shores ; and, as might be expected under 

 such circumstances, they are associated wilh or replaced by beds 

 of conglomerate derived from the neighboring highlands of 

 Devonian or Silurian rocks. When the conglomerates are absent, 

 alternations of sandstones with sandy and calcareous shales occur, 

 with frequent changes in character of the organic remains ; the 

 general aspect being that of muddy estuarine deposits, accumulat- 

 ed very slowly, and discoloured by decaying organic substances. 

 The supply of sediment, and the growth and preservation of 

 vegetable matter, appear to have been generally on a smaller scale 

 in this early carboniferous period than subsequently. In those 

 districts where the true coal-measures are least developed the 

 lower series is most important; showing that the physical and 

 vital conditions of the Coal-measures originated as early as those of 

 the Mountain-limestone ; and that locally these conditions may have 

 been contemporaneous throughout the whole period ; but, that in 

 some localities the estuary and swamp deposits first forme 1 were 

 completely submerged and covered by oceanic deposits, whilst in 

 others early marine beds were elevated and subjected to the con- 

 ditions of gradual subsidence and vegetable growths indicated in 

 the great coal-measures of the South Joggins, Pictou and Sydney. 



In Nova Scotia the Lower Coal-measures are characterized by 

 a great preponderance of Lepidodendra (especially L. elegans) 

 and Poacites, with few Ferns or Sigillarise. The middle Coal- 



