QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 81 B 



Fig. 7. Sketch op Overlap op Cretaceous Sandstones on Triassic Argillites. 

 a. Cretaceous sandstones. b. Triassic argillites. 



Fig. 8. Details op Junction op Cretaceous Sandstones and Triassic Argillites. 

 a. Cretaceous sandstones. b. Triassic argillites. 



On the south side of the underlying rocks, and resting upon them, Unconformable 

 sandstones like those just described are seen at low tide. The beds of both "Cretaceous and 

 formations here dip in the same direction and nearly at the same angle, nass 

 and might be supposed to form parts of a conformable series, but on 

 close examination it is found that the overlying sandstones irregularly 

 overlap the argillites in several places, as shewn in the cut. It is only by 

 accident that they rest for a certain distance parallel to the bedding of 

 the underlying argillites, in the same way that the sand of a modern 

 sea-beach might lie upon and against the sloping broken surface of a bed 

 of rock. It is found that the surface of the argillites is irregular below 

 the sandstones, with pieces of the former detaching themselves to be- 

 come pebbles. The sandstones also fill irregular channels and hollows 

 in the argillites, the surfaces of which have been completely rounded 

 and smoothed by the action of the waves before the deposition of the 

 sandstones. The lower beds seem to have been in hardness and habit 

 of weathering exactly as at present, and their surface is now being 

 again exposed under the action of a later sea. (See Figs. 1 and 8.) 



The small area of underlying rocks here seen must have been at the Character of 

 sea-level at the time of the deposition of the beds above described, and 

 was doubtless covered by the succeeding beds of the Lower Shales, 

 which have since been removed by denudation. The beds here found 

 lying upon the older rocks are not, however, probably the lowest of 

 the overlying formation. There has doubtless been a progressive 

 overlap, and in the part of the series here shown we do not find the 

 conditions which have accompanied the deposition of the coal at 

 Skidcgate. If the coal-bearing character of the strata persists thus far 

 southward it is in the lowest beds of the Lower Shales that the seams 

 must be looked for. From this place to the head of the West Arm of 

 Cumshewa Inlet, rocks of the Cretaceous series continue to characterize 

 6 



