REVIEWS. 



329 



The older stratified rocks agree in character with those of 

 the neighbouring province, and the volcanic rocks are par- 

 ticularly described as abounding in all the productions which 

 are usually associated. 



As regards the merit of Mr. Gesner's reports, upon which 

 we have not yet offered an opinion, we can only state that 

 they must be judged from the particular circumstances for 

 which they were published. Having been undertaken by 

 order of the Colonial Government, we naturally looked for 

 something very superior, both in detail and general com- 

 pleteness, and were much surprised to find such frequent 

 complaints of being obliged to desist from further explora- 

 tions, which should have been undertaken in order to eluci- 

 date points still undetermined, from want of opportunities 

 and means. Yet with all these complaints, we find in the 

 letters addressed by the author to his Excellency the Lieu- 

 tenant Governor of the province, repeated notices that 

 something in a more complete form will shortly appear, but 

 whether it will turn out to be a more elaborate report, or a 

 geological chart of the province, we are at a loss to deter- 

 mine — we are inclined to expect the latter, from the very 

 great stress which is laid upon the necessity of such a docu- 

 ment for general purposes. 



Thus much having been said as to what these reports do 

 not present to us, let us next dwell upon what their stated 

 object was, and add our confirmed opinion that it has been 

 fulfilled. In the preface to the first report, our author dis- 

 tinctly states that they refer more especially to ceconomic 

 geology, and that the popular style under which the facts 

 are presented to the pubhc, is ample evidence that they lay 

 no great claim to merit as scientific works, and, therefore, 

 are not to be considered as such. 



What has been observed, has been noted down with a 

 great degree of accuracy and care, we should presume, on 



