Mineralogy and Geology of a part of Nova Scotia. 309 



but it has perhaps hitherto been erroneously attributed to 

 the existence of large deposits of magnetic iron ore, and 

 has hence served to excite extravagant ideas in the inhabit- 

 ants, and confer an imaginary value on many of their farms. 



So far as the local peculiarities of this trap may be con- 

 sidered as forming a foundation of an opinion, it would at 

 the places last mentioned, be entitled with unquestionable 

 propriety to the restricted term, basalt ; but, as some of its 

 internal characters may differ from the universally acknowl- 

 edged basalt from the Giant's Causeway, and as the existence 

 of true basalt has been denied in North America, we have 

 concluded to make use of the generic name trap, leaving 

 the truth of the question to be decided by more experienced 

 geologists. 



The next place which will interest the mineralogist is 

 Mink Cove, which is about four miles east from Little River. 

 It is a harbour of inconsiderable depth, and presents nothing 

 very peculiar in its geological features. A few interesting 

 minerals, however, occur in the columnar trap, and amyg- 

 daloid ; they are red, yellow and ribbon jasper, which tra- 

 verse the precipices in veins, from eight inches to a foot wide, 

 and running for a considerable extent through the rocks, the 

 yellow jasper occupying the amygdaloid on which the co- 

 lumnar trap rests, passes as it enters the more dense super- 

 incumbent rock, into red jasper of fine texture, often ren- 

 dered more beautiful by zones of various colors winding in 

 concentric circles through the mass. They are fit subjects for 

 the lapidary's wheel, and when polished, constitute ornamen- 

 tal specimens. A curious mineral also occurs, imbedded in the 

 amygdaloid of this place ; it consists of broad lamellas of 

 quartz, disposed in parallel and intersecting plates, having 

 the insterstices filled with calcareous spar, giving the speci- 

 mens the appearance of alternations of siliceous and calca- 

 reous sinter. Geodes of quartz also occur, enclosing crys- 

 tals of transparent white chabasie, measuring nearly an 

 inch in diameter. A vein of magnetic iron ore, about a foot 

 wide, was also observed, but being very irregular in its course, 

 and terminating abruptly, gave no promise of being wor- 

 thy of exploration. 



The next considerable indentation upon this coast is San- 

 dy Cove. This cove is the largest on the coast of St. Mary's 

 Bay, and from its favorable situation, affords a safe harbour 

 to mariners. Here, however, there is not much that is 

 interesting to a geologist. The surrounding wall consists 



