Williams.] ROBB, HUNTINGTON AND HITCHCOCK. 247 



tion." In addition to the general outline and distribution of this series 

 of deposits previously described 1 the authors, as the result of more 

 recent studies, remarked that the Lower Carboniferous rocks of the 

 coast series show many important differences from the same deposits 

 of the above-named counties. The gray Carboniferous rock of Daw- 

 son's " Lower Coal Measures," though seen in the Kennebeccasis Valley, 

 is not known in the central Carboniferous area. The limestones so pro- 

 minent in Nova Scotia are much limited to small areas in New Bruns- 

 wick. But the "red sandstones and conglomerates" are numerically 

 prominent in both provinces. 



After giving a full account of the distribution and physical charac- 

 ters of the Lower Carboniferous, the authors treated of the Middle and 

 Upper Carboniferous series of the same region in the same manner, de- 

 scribing numerous areas and giving sections of the same, together with 

 notes on the fossil remains. The total thickness of the middle and 

 upper formations is about 600 feet. The total area of the same is about 

 28,540 square miles. One-third of this area is covered with coarse gray 

 beds forming a part of the "Middle Carboniferous formation." The 

 total area of coal seams is about 112 square miles. This area is proba- 

 bly much larger than the above estimate. 



Mr. Charles Robb, 2 in 1873, reported that the Sydney coal field covers 

 about 200 square miles. It is bounded by th e Atlantic coast on three 

 sides, and on the fourth (southwest side) by Lower Carboniferous 

 rocks. 



Messrs. Huntington and Hitchcock, 3 in 1873, reported that the fos- 

 siliferous rocks of northwestern Maine were first noticed by Dr. Jack- 

 son, near Parlin Pond, and bowlders of this formation were found 

 scattered to the south as far as the mouth of Kennebec River. Fossils 

 were also noticed at Lake B rassua. The fossils obtained were recog- 

 nized by Billings as characteristic of the Oriskany sandstone, and sub- 

 sequently the Cauda-galli grit was recognized on the shores of Moose- 

 head Lake. 



In concluding the authors observed that: (1) The Oriskany sandstone, 

 which can not be traced toward the White Mountains, was elevated 

 before the deposition of the Devonian ; (2) the thickness of the Oris- 

 kany is five times that represented in Pennsylvania, about 2,600 feet; 

 (3) the discovery of Helderberg limestone in new localities indicates 

 an extended submergence of eastern America in Upper Silurian and 

 Middle Devonian times. 



Mr. Charles Robb, 4 in 1874, attempted to clear up some of the diffi- 



• Bailey, L. W., G. F. Matthew, and R. W. Ells: Report on the Carboniferous system of New- 

 Brunswick, in the counties of Queens, Sunbury, and a portion of York. Geol. Survey of Canada: 

 Report of progress for 1872-73, 1873, pp. 204-206. 



2 Robb, Charles : Report on the coal mines of the eastern or Sydney coal field of ('ape Breton, Nova 

 Scotia. Geol. Survey Canada: Report of progress for 1872-73, 1873, pp. 238-290. Map. 



3 Hitchcock, C. H., and J. H.Huntington: Geology of the northwest part of Maine. Am. Assoc, 

 Proa, vol. 22, 1873, part 2, pp. 205-214. 



4 Robb, Charles : Report on explorations and surveys in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Geol. Survey 

 Canada : Report of progress for 1873-'74, 1874, pp. 171-178. 



