242 ON THE GEOLOGY OF ST. JOHN. 



which these remarks more particularly relate were all classed as 

 Silurian. 



In June, 1861, Dr. Dawson asserted the Devonian age of the 

 sandstones of Perry in Eastern Maine, and, in consequence, those 

 of St. Andrews, N. B., from certain fossil plants submitted to him 

 for examination. Dr. Jackson had previously suggested this as 

 the probable age of these rocks. The additional proofs accumu- 

 lated by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, have thrown much further light 

 on their history, and their Devonian age is now clearly recog- 

 nized. 



Sandstones and conglomerates similar to these are known to 

 occur at different points between Passamaquoddy Bay and the 

 mouth of the river St. John, but their stratigraphy and position 

 have not been determined. 



_ On the eastern side of the harbour of St. John, and extending 

 many miles along the coast, are extensive sedimentary deposits of 

 great thickness, consisting almost entirely of fragmentary rocks, 

 usually of coarse materials, varied by the addition of numerous 

 beds of volcanic origin. 



The lower members of this formation pass beneath the harbour 

 and extend a few miles along the coast to the westward. It is 

 in this direction that vegetable remains of the period when these 

 rocks were formed, have been found in the greatest abundance 

 and best state of preservation. The examination of these fossils 

 has enabled Dr. Dawson to refer the strata in connection with 

 them to the Chemung and Portage group of New York geolo- 

 gists.* 



The sediments which underlie this formation are of equal or 

 greater thickness ; but few well-preserved fossils have been found 

 in them, and these have not been studied ; their age is therefore 

 uncertain. The resemblance of some of these beds to the middle 

 Devonian of New York has already been pointed out by the same 

 observer. 



To the eastward of St. John, Dr. Gesner (3rd Report, pp. 5-11) 

 recognized two series of rocks, both of which he refers to the Silu- 

 rian age, namely, an upper group of limestones, slates, and sand- 

 stones, containing remains of plants, mollusca, &c, and described 



* The late Dr. Robb suggested this view of their age some years ago, 

 although he had previously classed them as Lower Silurian (Johnston's 

 Report on agricultural capabilities of N. B.). I am not aware that he 

 published anything on the subject. 



