254 THE DEVONIAN AND CARBONIFEROUS. [bull. 80. 



II. — Brian or Devonian flora : 



(1) Upper Erian (Catskill): The subflora is characterized by the genera Archwop- 



teris and Cyclopteris (ferns). 



(2) Middle Erian, corresponding to the Hamilton and Chemung of New York, 



contain mostly Dadoxylon, ferns, and Lepidodendron. Sigillaria is rare, but 

 Cordaites is abundant. 



(3) The Lower Erian is characterized by the genera Prototaxites, Arthrostigma, 



and Psilophyton. 



The author also discusses Silurian floras. 



Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, 1 in 1882, reported that fish remains had been 

 discovered on the north shore of the Kestigouche River, opposite Dal- 

 housie, which prove to be Devonian species. Previously to 1879 these 

 rocks had been considered as Lower Carboniferous. 



Mr. R. W. Ells, 2 in 1883, speaking of the geology of Gasp6 peninsula, 

 reported that at Grand Pabos, Province of Quebec, Lower Carbon- 

 iferous rocks are found lying upon Silurian rocks, and east of Little 

 Pabos having a breadth of 2J miles. Another small area occurs also 

 between Grand River and Brech a Manon. At White Head Carbon- 

 iferous rocks were noted lying upon Devonian rocks. Rocks of De- 

 vonian aspect were found in the vicinity of Black Cape, and also on 

 Bonaventure River. Near P6rce" Upper Devonian beds of some mag- 

 nitude were recoguized, lying nearly horizontal. Examination showed 

 that there were three series of Devonian beds: (1) The upper deposit, 

 made up of conglomerates and sandstones ; (2) the middle deposit, 

 made up of sandstones, shales, and some conglomerates ; (3) the lower 

 deposit, made up mainly of calcareous beds. The upper series has an 

 estimated thickness of 3,000 feet. In a former report (1874) the thick- 

 ness of the lower member of the Devonian is reported as about 7,036 

 feet. The series abounds in brachiopods, trilobites, etc., of which a long 

 list is given. 



Mr. Edwin Gilpin, 3 in 1884, comparing the Nova Scotian coal fields, 

 says that in the three coal fields of Nova Scotia prominent east and 

 west synclinal folds are noticeable. They are not complicated by faults, 

 except when they come in contact with pre-Carboniferous rocks, as 

 occurs on the south side of the Cumberland coal field. In the Sydney 

 field it appears that the disturbing currents ran in a north and south 

 direction, the materials being derived from the Lower Carboniferous 

 rocks. In the Pictou field a distinctive feature was the formation of a 

 barrier-reef of shingle formed from Millstone grit, back of which accumu- 

 lated large amounts of argillaceous and carbonaceous sediments. The 

 coal beds, fifteen in number, are situated in the lower part of the sec- 

 tion, attaining a maximum thickness of 119 feet, while at Springhill, in 



1 Whiteaves, J. F. : Recent discoveries of fossil fishes in the Devonian rocks of Canada. Am. Assoc, 

 Proc, vol. 31, 1882, pp. 353-356. 



2 Ells, R. W. : Report on the geology of the Gaspe peninsula. Geol. Survey Canada: Report of 

 progress for 1880-'81-'82, 1883, pp. 1DD-32DD. 



3 Gilpin, Edwin : A comparison of the distinctive features of Nova Scotian coal fields. British Assoc. f 

 Report 54th Meeting, 1884, pp. 712, 713. 



