36 
Bulletm of Natural History Society, 
ARTICLE I. 
Eozoon" and Other Low Organisms in Laurentian 
Rocks at St. John. 
BY G. F. MATTHEW, M. A., F. R. S. C. 
(Read 7th October, 1890.) 
One of the earlier results of the Geological Survey of 
Canada was the discovery and description of that lowly organ- 
ism, Eozoon Ca7iadense, a creature so obscure in its relations, 
and so far removed from any modern animal with which it 
may be compared, that it has formed the theme of con- 
troversy for more than a decade. 
Outside of the earlier observations and studies on the sub- 
ject, undertaken by Sir Wm. Logan, Sir Wm. Dawson, and 
Dr. Hunt, very little has been done by Canadians to add to 
the range of our knowledge of this interesting organism. 
Sir Wm. Dawson has had to maintain almost single- 
handed, so far as America is concerned, the controversy in 
favor of the animal nature of Eozoon; while the opposition 
to his views has been strenuous, and has been carried on by 
several leading scientists both in Europe and America. So 
strong has been the objection taken to his explanation of the 
nature of Eozoon, that a large majority of the American 
geologists, whose opinion on this subject was sought, gave their 
verdict against it. 
Any new observations on this subject, therefore, cannot 
but be of interest to all who give any attention to the historical 
branch of geology. 
The earliest knowledge of the occurrence of Eozoon in the 
neighborhood of St. John was obtained many years ago, when 
the writer collected and forwarded to Sir Wm. Dawson, pieces 
