32 The American Geologist. "^"'^'- ^^^'• 
What has been lost above and laterally, what lies below the low- 
est visible strata, and what under the cloak of younger form- 
ations to the north, we have no means of knowing. Taking 
the total present area of the series, however, as 8,000 square 
miles, including that part replaced by granite, the total cubic 
contents when restored to a condition of horizontal stratifica- 
tion would be approximately 88,000 cubic miles of rock . 
Examined from the standpoint of the amount of erosion 
necessary to produce the series, even the figures given are seen 
to be very large. To produce these sediments would require 
the complete degradation of the provinces of Xova Scotia, 
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, from an alpine 
condition with high peaks and total average elevation of 9,200 
feet, to sea level. 
Area and time of erosion represented . — Such a history 
makes the series one of the largest almost purely inorganic 
accumulations known. The time occupied by its deposition 
is also very great ; so great that figures have no value in deal- 
ing with the problem. The Goldenville formation evidently 
was accumulated at a rate not very rapid, as shown by the 
scarcity of coarse debris, and relatively small amount of cross- 
bedding; and at a rate not very slow, indicated by the lack of 
continuity of the strata and the relatively small percentage of 
pelytes. The Halifax, even at its present much diminished 
thickness, mav represent more time than the lower formation. 
The continuity of sedimentation appears to have been unbrok- 
en throughout ; and this points to one of the longest epochs of 
continuous deposition, as well as one of the most ancient. 
Pre-Meguma land: position. — There is little evidence as to 
the position and character of the land mass from which the 
Meguma series was derived. Of the sandstone and pelytes. 
it cannot be said that they become finer or coarser in any direc- 
tion. Indeed, the grits which here and there occur through- 
out the Goldenville are rather widely separated, both strati- 
graphically and geographically. The instances of cross-bed- 
ding, which might give some clue as to the direction of the 
land, are not very satisfactory in their evidence ; Init nuich re- 
mains to be studied regarding them. 
The authentic conglomerates are all in the southwestern end 
of the series, if we exce])t Hind's references ; and it is a fair 
