86 Katural History Society of H. Bulletin No. IV. 
rocky bed of some dashing stream. ***** The blue clay 
(No. 0) is of great depth in the central part of the valley, for in an 
attempt to sink an artesian well a point 125 feet below the surface 
was reached without getting through the clay. This (blue clay) is 
overlaid in many places by a clay more or less reddish in color, 
which is used for making bricks. Both of these clays after being 
subjected to the heat of the blow-pipe are attractable by the 
magnet and not a trace of soda could be detected in any of the tests 
made. [This remark relates to blue clay taken near the surface.] 
At the time the vegetable matter was being buried the shallow lake 
was taking on a river-like aspect. Though from a mile to three 
miles wide at this part, the water moved more rapidly and was 
digging a channel in the clay ; sand bars were forming, and during 
the deposition of the bed (c) it is probable a sand bar had shut off the 
cui'rent from this part of the lake ^ except in times of flood. 
This body of water, whether a fresh water lake or an inlet of the 
sea, at one time was very deep, but had become very shallow, partly 
from the filling up with sediment and partly from the falling of the 
water. There is evidence to show that this decrease of water was 
not wholly gradual, but one time at least the water, probably by the 
breaking away of some bander, suddenly retired, leaving a consider- 
able space on which rain and frost would act with great effect. * * 
From the washing of the hills there woidd be a mingled dej^osit 
of sand and clay along the shores, but nearer the middle of the lake, 
where the current was greater, the deposit would be of sand entirely ; 
and this is verified by observation : in the central part of the valley I 
find sand lying directly on the fine clay, and often the sand is very 
coarse, containing pebbles, while near the hills all the strata are 
generally more or less clayey. * * * * This Acadian lake, of 
which Grand Lake, with a score of smaller lakes and ponds, is a 
remnant, was larger by far than any existing lake of the Maritime 
Provinces * * * * occupying an area of not less than 300 
square miles. In form it was right-angled, one arm extending from 
the Jemseg to the Keswick, the other from the Jemseg to the Gas- 
})ereaux River. ^ 
1 Mr. Reed argues that these deposits were made in a large lake 
extending from Keswick Valley to Grand Lake. — Editor. 
2 At the head of Grand Lake. — Editor. 
