306 Mineralogy and Geology of a part of Nova Scotia^ 



Hants, Colchester and Pictou. This range is bounded, on 

 the north and west, by the valley through which the Annapo- 

 lis River winds its course for more than eighty miles, and car- 

 ries with it the rich loam brought by the rivulets and torrents 

 which contribute their waters to swell this beautiful river, de- 

 positing it along its course, thereby forming a part of the fer- 

 tile alluvium of this valley. The north Mountains however, 

 contribute much more generously to the fertility of the land, 

 from the peculiar rocks of which they consist, producing by 

 their decay the most luxuriant soil. The north Mountains 

 form the south western coast of the Province, skirting the 

 Bay of Fundy, and having the Annapolis River at their south- 

 ern base. They extend, with but a single interruption in 

 their continuity, nearly one hundred and thirty miles, and 

 present to the sea and insuperable barrier against its en- 

 croachments. The direction of this range is north east and 

 south west, with a gentle curve towardst he Bay of Fundy, 

 to which it presents a series of lofty mural precipices, well 

 adapted to resist the encroachments of its overwhelming 

 tides and tumultuous waves.— This range formed by far the 

 most fruitful field of our researches, and rewarded our la- 

 bros by presenting the most interesting appearances, and 

 many rare and beautiful specimens. 



We shall first give an account of Digby Neck, which affords 

 peculiar facilities to the researches both of the mineralogist 

 and geologist. 



This narrow strip of land is a continuation of the north 

 Mountains from the Annapolis Gut, and extending thirty 

 miles south westerly, is bounded on the north west, by the 

 Bay of Fundy, on the south east by Petit Passage, which sep- 

 arates it from Long Island by a narrow strait, of but from 

 half to three quarters of a mile wide ; on the south by St. 

 Mary's Bay, a beautiful sheet of water which separates it 

 from the main body of land, by about ten miles in its extreme 

 breadth. At the extremity of Digby Neck is situated Long 

 Island, before referred to. This island is, in fact, of the same 

 range as Digby Neck, and may be considered, geologically, 

 as a part of it, the continuity being interrupted by Petit Pas- 

 sage only. This Island is twelve miles in length, and in the 

 same line of direction as Digby Neck. Continuing wester- 

 ly, we next come to Brier's Island, which is separated from 

 Long Island by Grand Passage. 



Having thus given a geographical outline of this peninsu- 

 la and its adjacent Islands, we will proceed to describe, in 



