10 
Proceedings of the Uoyal Society 
In the spring of 1842 he returned to England, and in the 
Gi-eological Society gave an interesting account of his survey in these 
American coal-fields. He had been particularly anxious to obtain a 
confirmation of his discovery, that coal seams everywhere rested 
on fire-clay; and he was able to afford these proofs from what he 
bad seen in Nova Scotia. 
He had made another discovery in these coal-fields. He had 
discovered the footprints of a reptile; and he brought to London 
with him the sandstone slab which contained these prints. This 
slab was submitted to Professor Owen, who expressed a clear 
opinion, that the impressions had been made by an animal which 
had four claws on the two fore feet, and three claws on the hind 
feet. The interest attaching to this discovery was, that no reptile 
had been discovered in rocks so old, it being at the bottom of the 
Carboniferous formation; — whereas, previously, no reptiles had 
been found below the Permian rocks. 
I mention this discovery of Logan’s, because I see that my friend 
Principal Dawson of Montreal, in his “ Book on Acadian Geology,” 
mentions that discoveries of similar reptiles, made in the year 1844 
in Sweden and the United States, -had been asserted to be prior 
to others of the same kind. 
Logan’s reputation as a geologist was now established. It led 
to his being entrusted with the charge of the Canadian Geological 
Survey, on the recommendation of Sir Roderick Murchison and 
Sir Henry de la Beche. The Canadian Legislature had wisely 
resolved to have the mineral riches of the country ascertained by 
competent surveyers. F or nearly thirty years Sir W illiam conducted 
the Canadian Survey,, and drew most important conclusions regard- 
ing the whole series of rocks in that part of the world — conclu- 
sions universally accepted by geologists as correct. 
At the Paris International Exhibition of 1855, he showed a large 
collection of specimens, besides magnificent m^ps and diagrams, 
which attained much attention, and received great commendation. 
It was on this occasion, that the British Government, in recogni- 
tion of his eminence as a geologist, and of his services in Canada, 
bestowed on him the honour of knighthood. 
Sir William did not publish anything beyond the official reports 
of his survey. He was not ambitious of fame, either as an author 
