330 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



account of the frequent references which are made in one 

 report to the facts contained in another, and so far as Mr. 

 Gesner proceeded, he has accomphshed his work in a 

 scientific manner greatly to his credit ; and to mitigate the 

 censure of more expert geologists, it must be borne in mind, 

 that a new country presents many difficulties which are often 

 insurmountable, and, therefore, throw the enquirer from his 

 direct course of observation. 



It is essential to remark, that the direct object of the work 

 is gained, inasmuch as the mineral productions of the dis- 

 trict are investigated, and, to use the expression of the 

 author, " when but so shortly since it was necessary to im- 

 port building stone and other mineral materials from the 

 United States, or more distant quarters, now it is shown 

 that the province possesses available resources of a like nature 

 within itself, which will obviate the necessity of such a 

 course hereafter." We look with much pleasure to the 

 further reports of Mr. Gesner, which we hope will contain 

 accurate statements of the fossil contents of the different 

 strata, and sections exhibiting the nature of the different 

 stratifications, and as in this country there are very few 

 maps of such dimensions and prices as to be available to 

 the geological student, we will hope to find such an one in- 

 serted in his work, as will enable all readers to follow his 

 arguments and trace his researches. The wood-cuts in the 

 Reports now under our notice, are " bold^^ enough, but do 

 not speak much for the march of improvement in that art 

 among our Transatlantic brethren. 



