IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) k // ^/ <' C<'. V :<$> -< 4 % y.^ 1.0 I.I 144 11^ IM '" ilM 112.2 IIIM NO Hill 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 — ^ 6" — ► V] (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "t.ND"). whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely . ''^'uried in one exposure are filmed beginnii.g in i- — ui;p(»r left hand corner, left to right and tO|. '.' bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvrnt dtre film^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 f 1 1 N L-i ■,'=.;. i 1;., 9 ' its wide shallow channel, especially in that part of its course traversing the eastern belt of the Cambro-Silurian and the Carbonifierous rocks. The region around the head-waters of this river being. mountainoai», anKJ largely denuded of forest, the snow every spring is more rapidly melted there than farther down where it passes through a foreeK-lad tract. Hence floods from the upper part of the river are precipitated into the lower reaches, widening the channel, and often overflowing the tlats bordering it. Summer and autumn floods act similarly when they occur, as they occasionally do, the rainfall of the region about the head waters of the river being then likewise more rapidly drained off. Hence large quantities of detritus from above are deposit<^d along the lower part of the river's course, where the country is comparatively low and flat, partially filling its channel, and causing the waters to spread and erode the banks and intervales bordering it. These peculiarities in the North- West MiramicLi seem to be the result of the disappearance of the forest in the region abe material, thus showing that they are really portions of tlie original rock in situ not yet decomposed. Indeed, in every instance they were found to belong to tho underlying rocks. The following sections will illustrate the actual position of these gravels in the series and their relation to the other ileposits, especially on the coastal area.* 1. On the main post road between Chatham and Eichibucto, about two miles south of Black River bridge, a section of the surface beds is exposed in a gravel pit. The series is as follows in descending order:— Sections show- ing relations to otberdedoslls. 1. Loamy material, partly oomposed of deeayed vej;etable matter with lenticular seams of whitish or <;reyish sands in the bottom 3 to (i inches I '' • Sir J. W. Dawson rccogni/.ed thick beds of decayed rook at Lea Eboulcmeiits (Xoles on the Post-lMiocene (icology of Cana 'a, Cmi. Ai(Hmili-t, 187:2). Dr. 0. JI. Da\v.«on hii;^ ol served beJsi't (luarlzite shingle in the How and Belly River country which appear to be prc-Kl.ieiiil ilieiiori ol Pronrcss, lH82-8;{-«4). R. U. M"Connell h1.«c. descrilics depo.«it.s under the name o( tlie " South Siiskatchcwan gravels," which are probably of similar origin (Annual Report, ISs/ii. I'luiipd y. Hunt, Whitney, Winchell and others have directed attention to. inches Inhiisol^frvcilbeasul Iprc-KliuMMKKcportot n:.mour the ".<"">>' Lort. 18SSI- l'im'P«"^; fasinJilVer^tP"";'' locc.irnn!.'inl!r;i/.>l.l" Ictrni/edtlie^ubaenal IrcKiiins. cHAiMERs] PRE-QLACIAL ROCK DEIJRIS, ORAVEL, ETC. 11 N 2. (iravel and sand, unstratified, containing flat, angnlar pieces of rock embedded tlierein, apparently in mlu. 1 ft. (i inches 3. Rotted rock, with loose pieces of the underlying sand- stone in their natural situation, but with a little j,'ravel and sand in the interstices 4 to 5 feet 4. (irey sandstone showing still less decomposition and apparently passing into the usual stratified or bedded Middle Carboniferous rocks beneath 1 to 2 " The height of these bods above sea level is about 80 feot. 2. Behind the village of Nelson, on the road loading to the back settlements, the following series appears in a cutting : — 1. Stratified sand and gravel 12 to 15 inches 2. Boulder-clay, chiefly gravel, but with suflicient clay to cause it to bake hard on exposure 6 to 12 " 3. Decomposed or rotted rock, chiefly gravel, unstratified, the fragments of rock 1 to 3 inches long and mostly in s'itii 12 to 18 " 4. Grey sandstone (Middle Carboniferous), crumbling and decaying, in situ. Height of these beds about 100 feet above the sea. 0, At Xopisiguit bridge, near the town of Bathurst, another section of these deposits exhibits the following series (descending) : — 1. Sandy or gravelly soil, loamy in places, containing lobbies of foreign as well as of local rocks 3 to (i inches 2. Stratiliod gravel, including jjebbles and boulders. Among these aro travelled boulders, 1 to 2 feet in diamoter, gl.iciated. Bulk of material, however, belonging to local rocks 12 to 15 " 3. Till, ordebris of local rocks, which apfiears to have been sliiftod and acted upon by ice. It contains angular jiebliles and boulders apparently transported some distance- I'ioces of the Lower Carbon ife runs (under- lying) rock, 3 tot) inches in length, lie under and also enclosed in the lower part of the till with more or k'83 gravel and clay in the interstices .. 2 to 3 feet 4. Decomposing Lower Carboniferous rocks in xitu. Evidently the ice of the glacial period, in its eastward passage over the surface of the .Middle Carboniferous area hoie, thinned out and was not ot'siitlicient thickness or weight to displace or remove the whole of the ine-existing decayed rock materiiil. The loose shales or pieces of lotted rock underneath what appears to bo boulder-day are one to two feet deep in places, below which they become more solid, <'.e., contain 'i'!S gravel and sand in the interstices, until they gradually change into the usual Carboniferous rock of the district. M i ti wr^. .'. I 1 . ■ 1 1, 12 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. M I. Glacial Deposits. Boulder-Clay or Till. Boulder-clay. Boulder-clay is abundant in river valleys and on slopes in the interior of this district; but is seldom mot with near the coast. The Xorth-West Miramichi valley, from whore the Intercolonial Kailway crosses it, up as far as Portage Eivei- and probably further, is lined almost continuously on both sides with till, and it was also seen on the slopes of the minor valleys in numerous localities. Apart from its occurrence in these, however, it does not anywhere form an un- broken sheet, usually appearing in lenticular masses. In a number of places it rests upon pro-glacial rock-debris as shown in the foregoing sections, and is almost invariably overlain by stratified deposits. It is evident also that till in considerable quantities was thrown into the river valleys and depressions during or at the close of the ice age, partly filling them and producing changes in the drainage. This par- tial blocking up of the water courses held up the waters of oven the larger rivers in many places, especially those of the Xorth-West Mira- michi and its atHuents, to a height of 80 to 100 feet above their present level. In the vicinity of Eedbank a drift-dam of this kind existed in the Post-Tertiary period, causing the formation of terraces which will be described on a following page. In all cases, the till, wherever observed, seems to be largely derived from preexisting rotted i-ock belonging chiefly to the underlying forma- tions in each particular locality, but somewhat changed in mechanical consistency and appearance by glacial action. In certain places upon the Carboniforons area this change was seen to be only partially effected, and the flat pebbles and pieces of sandstone or slabs were sometimes only partly turned over oi- disturbed, while the intermixed clay had, in its bluish-grey, unoxidized aspect, every resemblance to boulder-clay, whero observed A few of the more noteworthy localities where till was observed may here be specified. On Miscou Island, on the north-east side of Miscou harbour, and on the east side of Shippcgan Island till occurs. It is overlain in both places by Leda clay and Saxicava sand. If the till here is duet lana ice, the land has probably been as high, if not higher, than at present when it was laid down. A slight subsidence would submerge the?e islands, scarcely any part of them at present rising more than 25 to 30 toet above sea level. This till is constituted chiefly of bdulders and debris of local rocks. Hospital and Sheldrake islands, in Miramichi estuary, are largely covered with till. Whence derived. Localities 11" M CHALMinS.] GLACIAL DEPOSITS. 13 N A bcil of till occurs at the mouth of Black River, also another on the west side of the mouth of Bay du Vin River. Those contain gla- ciated boulders. On the road leading from Uppei- Chatham to Xapan River, and on Boulders the main Chatham and Richibucto readjust south of Black River he"d_ in iH)i^er bridge, also on the road going through the back settlements from '"'"""'" '*"* Nelson t(t Barnaby River station, till was seen in severalplaces with glaciated boulders embedded in its upper part. Some of these boulders seem to have been striated while in their present position by ice which moved over them from west to east. They lie longitudinally in this direction with the upper glaciated side sloping gently to the west as in Fig. 1. Pre-glacial debris was observed to underlie them in two of these places.* Soil. Boulder-cIay and rotted rock. Fig. 1. Sbxttion siigwixg i-ositiox of Striated Boulders in Drift. Till is found in the South-West Miramichi valley in numerous places within the limits of the map. Heavy banks, chiefly of till, occur near Derby Junction and at the confluence of the South-West and North- Wcst rivers, rising above the general level of the valley, (referred to on page 28 (i o, Annual Report, 1885). At the mouth of North-West Millstream, till, partly filling the valley of that tributary, was seen resting on glaciated rock surfaces (see List of Striiv No. 7). Till was observed in several places along the road leading up the south side of the Little South-West Miramichi; and just above Red- knk to the east of the main North-West a bed of till, abundantly inteimi.xed with boulders, was seen. In lef'ereme to the glaciated boulders embedded in the upper part of Remarks on the till or pre-existing rock debris, referred to above, the (question arises boulders. were their upper surfaces really striated while they were held in their present position by the enveloping material (boulder clay, gravel, etc.) as the ice passed over the district. The parallelism of the stria* upon them with those on the rock surface of the district in which they occur, as also the attitude of the boulders themselves with respect to the abrad- in? agent, tends to support this view, rendering it probable that the phenomena are similar to those described bj' Mr. Hugh Miller as ob- served in Scotland. There is abundant evidence in the presence of I Piienomfiiii of tliis kind were first observed in Canada by Sir J. W. Dawson, see The Post- Pliocene Geology uf Canada, Canadian yaturtUUt, 1872. ini pi' I 14 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. !•! 1 • ;j ' ' 1 1 1 .'? \ striro on rocks m situ and till and other transported bouldors from the intorioi" that ice passed over the country here from west to oast • but it would seem that even when the glaciers had attained their maximum thickness they must have thinned out on the particular district where these boulders were thus left, and perhaps disappeared altogether before reaching the present coast liric, except in the valleys. Pre-i>lacial debris of subaerial origin occurs in sheets under them in most places where sections are exposed, affording proof that the ico cannot have been thick or of great weight. It seems reasonable to infer therefore, that the ice moved over the surface of the decayed rock material, ei -xling and displacing only its upper part, striating the rocks where they were nearest the surface or most exposed, and also the upper surface of these boulders at the same time. Boulders and Erratic Blocks. Mrati'eVwhence Boulders, derived from the Cambro-Silurian and Pre-Cambriau rocks derived. of the interior, consisting chiefly of granite, gneiss, felsite, trap, etc., from five feet in diameter downwards, arc found profusely scattered over the surface of the whole Middle Carboniferous area and also embedded in the deposits. Associated therewith, and in certain places largely pre- dominating in numbers, occur others derived from the underlying rocks, Upon the surface of the Pre-Carboniferous rocks of the interior, boul- ders are likewise strewn in immense profusion, and bear evicience, so far as observations have extended, of having, in some places, been trans- ported limited distances from the parent rocks to the west. Near the coast, especially below the 200 feet contour lino, the pre- sent distribution of boulders seems to have been effected by floating and shoi-e ice, etc., as well as by glaciers. A greater number of those properly called erratics are seen upon the surface here, and ap])arcutly they have been subjected to greater wear, being, as a I'uio, more rounded and with the stritc in most instances defaced. Planed sides are still however, charactei'iistic features of these. Sparingly inter- spersed among them are a few which seem not to belong to this dis- trict, and the p"'rent rock of which is unknown. These are ahvav> found on or near the pi-esent shores. Boulders of" crystalline rocks seem to be more abundant on the southern than on the northern side of the Miramichi estuary. The cause of this is difftcult to explain, but it is probably due, in part at least, to the fact that during the Po.'st-Tertiary submergence, river and coast ice carrying boulders would be more likely to be driven against the (shores of the southern side of Miramichi Bay by the prevailing north-east and north-west winds than in any other direction, and thus deposit them. How tran3- ported- Greater abun- dance on north side of Miramichi estuarj-. CHALMERS.] OLACIAL STRLi;. 15 N Cambrian rocks Isitc, ti'ap, etc, y scattered ovei' , also embedded icos largely pre- idcrlying rocks, le interior, boul- evifience, so far ces, been trans- est, r line, the pre- yed by floating mber of those and apjiareutly is a rule, more Planed sides iparingly inter- ng to this dis- ese are ahvay;- Alonf the shore to the oast of Escunninac Point, granite boulders Boulders on three to five toct in diameter wore seen on the top of the peat bog and *'"' °*^ ''**'• sand beaches there. They appear to have been recently pushed up by the impact of coast ice, or, perhaps, thrown up by the waves during heavy storms. Glacial Strice. The following stria3 wore observed during the past summer in the List of striiv. areas ma[)i)ed. The courses are referred to the true meridian and the elevations to soft level. Xoi LOCALITIES. Gasi'b Phxissula, Que. 1 ' On a ridsre at Newport, lialf a mile from i tlie shore, occur glaciated rocks, but ! no eaver Brook station, Intercolonial Kailway, and at Rogersville station ; also with those eeen in the valley of the Sonth- West Miramichi at Indian- town (see report g <;, p. 22, Annual Report, 1885, Stria; Nos. 64 and 60). ; At Nortli-West Millstream, near bridge on road along main river. Stri;c, covered with a thick bed of till (These strire agree in direction with others at the head of this stream, (Nds. 60 and 61, report o g just cited,) and show that a small local glacier moved down the North-West Mill- stream valley, debouching into the estuary of the main North-West). Courses. S.E. S. 85° E. N. 46° E. S, 83° E. S. 83° E. S, 22° W, Gkxeral Sl.Ol'K OK SlRKACK, S.E. S.E. E. E. E. S, Approxi- mate Height, 165 250 250 150 125 25 I Oenerul Slaciatiun of istrict. Secondary systems of glaciers. Boulder distribution. 16 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. General Conclusions respectmj Gtaciation, Boulder Distributiim, Etc. The conclusions deducible from the foregoing facts may be biiefly stated as follows : — 1. The ice of the glacial period moved from the west down tiioniaiu slope of the district towards the (liilf of St. Lawrence, carr^-ini; large quantities of debris from the Cambro Silurian and Pro-Cumbrian rocks of the interior and strewing it over the whole surface, as pointed out in report Gtj (Annual Report, 1885). The glacier or glaciers were guided in their movements by the more prominent topograpiiical fea- tures and especially by the river valleys, but thinned out or linaliy disai)peured before reaching the present coast line, no evidence being afforded that they debouched into the sea anywhere, except, perhaps, in estuaries. And the undisturbed pre-glacial debris met with on the low coastal tiacts shows either that the ice did not reach these, except in a very thin sheet passing very lightly over them, or that these tracts were submerged during the greatest extension of the ice. The boulder-clay overlying the pre-glacial debris and the striated boulders over which the ice has apparently moved, may also be cited as proofs of its diminished power and weight when moving over this particular district. 2. A minor or secondary system of local glaciers followed the smaller valleys at a later stage, as indicated by the striu' and till found along the North-West Millstream (see List of Stria*, No. (i). The ylacier producing these seems to have flowed into the open estuary of the North-West Miramichi. To render this possible it is evident that the land must have then stood at a somewhat lower level than at present, and the estuary referred to would consequently be wider. Glaciers of this kind probably belonged to the close of the glacial period and may have been contemporaneous with the deposition of the Leda clay. 3. The distribution of boulders near the coast, especially below the 175 feet contour line, is the result of two causes wbich may thus be stated: — First, these boulders, or the majority of them, were qarried down to the coastal area, more especially along the valleys, by glaciers and river ice during or at the close of the ice age. On the submergence of this coastal tract, coast and floating ice acted upon these and the till, the sea washing away more or less of the finer and lighter materials, leaving the boulders exposed. These were then rolled about or carried hither and thither by pan oi' shore ice. Erratics fi'om foreign parts may occasionally have been landed on these shores by the same agencies. Other causes no doubt super- vened, but these will serve to explain the occurrence and anomalous distribution of so many boulders from the interior on the surface near the coast. mw ft CH»iM6iie.] STKATIFIED DEPOSITS. 17 N ; 1 !.« ml ion, Etc. y bo bi'ii'fly ivvn tiie maiu rryinj; large mbrian rock'* \ pointed out rlacKTs were rraphical I'ca- »ut or tinally ,'iilcnce being eept, perhaps, met with on id not reach ly over them, t cxten^-ion of ebris and the !d, may also be n moving over wed the smaller ill found along \ The glacier estuary of the vident that the ,han at present, jr. Glaciers of period and may Leda clay. Ipcci Res illy below wliich may age. , of them, were Ithe valleys, by On the acted upon of the finer These were lice |s» pan or been shore landed lo doubt super- land anomalous surface near M 2. Stratified Sands, Gravels and Clays. Stratifled Inland Gravel, Sand and Clay (freih-water). Deposits of this kind are of considerable thickness above the 200 feet uonoral contour line, more ospocially upon the Lower and ^liddlo Carboniferous Scl'sfrati-*^ and Canil.ro-Silurian rocks. Those overlying the former constitute an *""' '•'^»"'*'"- almost unbroken sheet, the general characteristics and composition of which have l)oen given in previous reports. The whole series covering the surface in the district is, in descending order, essentially as follows : 1, A thin, somewhat irroguiai- layer of loam, or more generally de- c;iyod vogetal)lo matter, together with more or less material formed from subaorial erosion. Underneath this, or constituting a portion of the same sti-atum, especially upon the surface of tiic Middle Carboni- fiM'ous area, occur lenticular seams of fine-grained gi-ey or white sands. The peculiar character and colour of these sands arc probably due to thedeoxidation of the iron in them through the chemical action of the rain-water and the decayed vegetable matter overlying thein.^^ Culti- vation, liy mixing these sands with the soil or subsoil, causes them to lisiippcar. Land shells are sometimes found in the layer of vegetable matter. A fuller description of this deposit will be given in the sequel, under the head of Vecjetable Mould. 2. Stratified sand, gravel and clay of varied thickness, the clay usually forming the lowest member and often in lenticular sheets. The pebbles in the gravel are almost always of loi'al rock, although along river valleys they have been transported considerable distances. The colour of those sands and gravels, and of the upper portion of the day also, is generally of a brownish or yellowish tint, duo to the oxi- latinn and hydration of the original materials. The lower limit of the mtherod zone is often sharply defined in the clay beds. '•). Boulder-clay or till in patches on hillsides and in valleys, the dis- tribution being irregular and the thickness variable. It includes tra- velled boulders from the west and south-west. 4. Pro-glacial debris, or gravels and sands. These occur irregularly upon the higher grounds of the interior, thinning out to mere loose pebbly beds, as observed in the tract about the head-waters of the N"orlh-West Miramichi. 1 ha "'Till' orgiinic matter curried down by the rain-water reduces the iron salt from a peroxide IWiproloxiile, wliuOi the free carbonic acid present converts into a carbonate: and tliis salt I wog soluble is removed by the same surface waters, leaving the upper part of the sand or I P»viKolnurle-s iir often white. Or, it may sometimes bo that the liumic acid in the soil re- »«es ihe iron as a soluble humate." " When the humous acids can freely attack the hydrated IWwiile of iron they remove it in solution and the decomposed rock or soil is thereby bleached. I "lis is coainuiti where pine trees grow on ferruginous sand." — (Prcstwich's Qeology, Vol. 1, p. 113.1 ii;cikie's Textbook of (icology, p. 438.) (For further information on the geological action I '''till! humu!< nciils upon sands, gravels, etc., see paper by A, A. Julien, Proe. Am. Association I f'tiiic Advancement of Science, 1879, pp. 339-350.) 1 1 ^ 1 V 1 ; j i 1 1 'V :l 18 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. How derived. Tho origin of those inland frosh-wator dopositf* was bi-iefly dis- cusHed in preceding reports. They appear to bo doi'ivod in tho tirst place from tho docompoHod materials of tho underlying or Hubjacent rocks. Afterwards, glacial erosion, river and atmospheric action, combined with that of an organic nature, have produced such cliaiiiieK in them, more ospocially in tho uppermost portion, as to partially stratify them, and give them their present character and composition. Itiver Terraces and Karnes of River Valleys. i I II Heights and looalities where they occur. River terrace.", lliver terraces of varied width ai-o developed along tho Xortii-AVc«t Miramichi and Nopisiguit rivers, and, indeed, skirt all tho sti'canis of any size in the district. Thoir general features and I'clation to the rivers which they accompany have been discussed in fbrmei' reports, Along the streams traversing the low flat Carboniferous area, none worthy of note were observed ; but as wo pass up the river vallovs into tho older series of rocks they become more noticeable. The locali. ties and elevations of a few of the principal ones mot with along tho North-West Miramichi and Nopisiguit i-ivors may hero be mentioned. The heights given have roforenco to the rivers at the nearest point. Commencing with the Nopisiguit wo find : — 1. At Middle Landing Narrows a terrace on the north bank 45 toaii feet high, or 95 feet above sea level. 2. At Grand Falls a wide one occurs also on the north sitlc t' it (niariiio est Vost-Tor- of the more •e in all cases ; South-AVest Thoy cover ,• oi' Saxicava kVcst River a Lirely formed seen on the of saud and ts the main ipper Bay dtt Isai V here to marine ter- feet in this about the Icharaeter lowinti of sec- lUago is des- Ither exposed CHAiMim.] LEDA CLAY AND 8AXICAVA SAND. 21 N 1. Gravel and sand, witli a few pebbles of local rocks. When tbeso are Hat and uniform they lie with their loii^:(wt axes in a horizontal position Thickness. . .. 15 to 18 inches. '2. Urey sandy chiy 1 to 3 " 15, Sand and clay in irregular, altornatlnj; bands: day seams 1 to (i inches thick. Whole thiekness 1 to L' feet. 4. (lay and sand, clay prec4ominatin>r; seams regular... 2 to 3 " ,"). Sandy band, with a few thin strata of elay. Total thick- ness not known. Exposed in bottom of pit 3 " The ilay in this section i.s of a voddish-gi-oy colour, and in ivU cases sandy, i.e.. nearly a loam. Both sand and clay arc invariably free from peiibles. From their situatiim with respect to the Tracadio IJivor those deposits are undoubtedly ostuurino, although deriving the materials lai'i^'ely from the river. No fossils were found in them. Near Caraquotte the succession was also fouml to be as follows in descending order : — 1. Gravel, eoarse and angular, and packed with sandstone pebbles and small boulders, also mostly angular, and lying with their longest axes in a horizontal position, the whole irregularly stratified ami resembling rotted roek in .vtu. Tliicknc-s variable 1 to 3 or 4 feet. 2. Sand, line and without pebbles or gravel and compara- tively loose. Tinckness likewise variable 1 to 3 " 3. Clay, sand and gravel, forming a hard-pan, containing fragments of the underlying rock but little removed from their original position. Thiekness variable. 4. Rnbbly, broken up, decomposing rock. The succession of those deposits as observed in a great number of 'General * " succession of sections below the 200 feet contour line is closely similar to the above, m»rino doposits. and may be generally stated as follows, in descending order : (I) Gravel mixed with sand, overlain in uncleared and uncultivated ground by vegetable mould ; (2) sand of varied consistency with clayey, or mixed sandy and clayey strata ; (3) clay, with sandy seams, and (4) rotted roclv in sHu, or boulder-clay. On the slopes near the coast between the muuths of rivers, where little or no detrital material from these was deposited, the scries consists of (I) loam, or decayed vegetable matter, under which are sand, gravel and occasionally clay; (2) boulder clay, I'Ut this member usually absent, and (;J) pre-glacial debris, or gravel resting on decomposing Middle Carboniferous sandstones. As already stated, very little pure clay occurs in the stratified portion of these beds, owing no doubt to the arenaceous character of the rocks from which they are derived. As a rule the thickness of these deposits does not exceed five to ton ''Set, often less, and the surface is always oven. The stratified sands, gravels and clay have been pretty fully described in preceding reports. 1 . I Iritcn-nlec. Freeb-wnter marihcs. oo 2 N NORTII-EASTKIIN NKW UBllViffrirK. M y. Fresh WATKK ALLrviCN*. Jtiver-ffats, or Inter rales. Alon^' tlio main Nortli-Wost Miramiclij ltiv*-r and itrt aflluent the Little Soiilii-WoMt HiitH of c'onsiiloraldu extent ^X'o-urand form tlnf tracts of fanning land. Hotweon Itudbank and Vorta^*; lliver largo portions of tlict^o arc t'lcared and cultivjtted, yielding: hay in abnndancc. Nourlv all till' hdjacont toiTaccs ai'o, however, Btiil f<oint of view. Xd c'k'arings of any consoiiiience have heen niaile u|rj>n thorn. [n regard to the mode of origin and chunicter of tber*e intorvalesit may ho remarktd that the detailed description* of i^imilar deposits given in preceding reports apply ffiually well to th»iweohservei| in this district, and, therefore, it is unnecessary to dwell farther on them. Lacustrine and Fluciatik Manhe*. Many of tho small lakes of the interior arc Uxniored hy marshy tracts consisting of bogg^' or peaty matter, but of such limited width that they cannot be shown on the mapu. Similar marshy .-ielvages skii't the rivers in places where the How is ^lu^$^i»b and permit.-* the deposition of the tiner imrticles of matter hvid in -H.>*[K;n8ion ly the waters. These marshes are usually covered with a dense giowth of ericacoous plants, rushes, carices, marsh gia««ef, elc.-,, and form retreats for the aquatic fur-bearing animals. i ff.' Peat Bo(js. Peatbogs. Formations of this kind are extensively develoficd near tho coast of where forine.1. ^j^^^ ^^|^ ^^ ^^ Lawrence, especially on Miscou and Shippeguii isiainis and near the mouth of Tabusintac River; also at Point Cheval and Point Escuminac. fn these localities they seem to owe their growth to the peculiar climatic conditions of the region U^rdering the frulf. Tho proximity of tho ocean modifies the extreme .iuniimr heat oondutoD*for prevailing inland, rendering the air moister and more favniirable to their growth, ^j^^ continued existence of mosses and other plants p«,>cniiai- to these deposits. In the interior there are also numeroa* f>eat bogs upon the Lower and Middle Carboniferous areas, but they are generally tliin and of smaller extent. Usually the latter are ibnnd too<.'capy shallow lake basins which are bordered, and occasionally wholly covered, with a scrubby growth of hacmatac and black spruce. A remarkable feature of the bogs near the coast is tho great number of small pomls dotting their surfaces. These ponds have perpendicular i»ides of peat, and vary it t 1' {MAIMIM.] I'KAT BiKlS. 23 N ill size tnim a fow sqiiiin* yanU to ii .|ii!irtcr of an iici-o or more. Thoir 1^,','^',,''",'"^''*'' mnilf nf (iiiijiti is not iippiifftit, but it is probably "liio lo tlu' (•oi»tinuoiiM"'"'«in"itini{. (fiiiwlh of inoHsos, otc, aroiiinl little p mU wliicli occiipicil a formorHiir- tko, ill" pools pnivoiitinj^ tlii^^^rowlli of mossos undornoath tlioin, wliili' ai'oiiii I llii'in tho lioi/^lit coiitiimoil to irn-roa.so year aftor yoar. For tlio iiv't l»:irt those |)oat bo^^s an- treeless, but iiro covorotl with plants beloiiiriii:;' cliii'tly to the followiii;^ species, — rose-bay, Labrador ton, t\V(i sjK'cics of vaceiniutn. Ibe hu(;k!•>«• covers fully half of its entire area. It occupies a shallow basin in the Middli' Oiirb )niferous rooks liere, portions of the rim of which, as well an of the sand and poat, aro boinic orod*; I by tho sea. The surface of the lioi,' is 1") to 20 foot above hi;.fh tide level in the centre, while the iKtttoia, which is full of the rootn of shrubs and Hinall trees in situ., M'cms to bo below that of the lowest tides and wherever visible appears to lost on i^ravel and sand. The bog, as ali-eady mentioned, is dotted all over wilh ponds, which form favourite re 4ini^ places for the wild * geoso and brant in their passage over the region every spring and fall. Ci'iinborries abound on it. :', A peat bog about three miles long and one and a half wide was .shippegan. «een on Iho eastern side of Shippegan island, v;hich also rests on a hard- piin of ,i,'ravel and clay. The surface ts 10 to 15 feet above the soa and is likewise destitute of trees. Xuraerous ponds were also observed on it, 111 the bank the peat is 10 feet thick, the botlom descending below high title level. 3, The neck of land between St. Simon inlet and Pokemouche har- st. .Simon. tour (sec map) is formed of peat. Similarly to the two bed.s just des- cribt'il it is considerably higher in the central part than at the margin, ktnowhtiro is more than 10 to 1.'} feet above high tide level. A part iM'this bog is on sheet 'd S E. Iminetiso (|uantitics of cranberries grow upon it. 4, Soiilh ofTracadio River, near Point Barreau, (see map) a peat bog Trooadie. bortlers a lake, both being surrounded by a tamarae swamp. 5, An extensive bog occurs on the west side of Tabusintac River ; Tabualntao. Itngth about thieo miles, width two miles. Its general features aro the same as those described. It is al>o a favourite resort for wild geese, brant, etc., every spring and autumn. •I. On the east side of Point Cheval a bog was also seen which thins Point Cheval. out on the northern margin over an old sand beach. The ftillowing section of the beds, in descending series, may be instructive: — m it 24 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. Point Egouminiic. Burnt log in peat. 1. Peat, dark brown in colour, containing a few roots of small trees and shrubs and abundant remains of mosses, 5 to 7 feet. 2. Dark, almost black peat, filled with stems, roots and root- lets of small birch, cedar and hacmatac trees, and heath plants. Numerous stumps of l»ets in mtu occur in the bottom of the peat, and the roots penetrate, or more generally spread out over, the underlying sand. Some of these stumps are a foot in diameter 2 to 3 " 3. Pure, fine-grained sand, rusty and dark in upper part, into which the roots referred to sometimes penetrate a few inches. Apparently continuous with and forming part of present beach, but must be older, as it descends below sea level in places. A sharp line of demarkation between this and last member of the series. Drift-wood and sticks three to six inches in diameter appear to have been strewn over the old beach before it became covered with peat. The surface of this bog is 10 to 15 feet above high tide level, and the bottom of the central part, so far as could bo ob.served, sinks below the lowest ebb tides. T. Another large and interesting peat deposit was found at Point Bscuminac (see map), reforrocl to in Dv. Ells' report (Report of Pro- gress, 1879-80). It is highest in the middle and likewise dotted ovei' with numerous small ponds. From the examination made around its margin it seems to occupy a basin also, the central part of wiiicii is below high tide level. This gives it a thickness of 20 feet or upwards. Ml". Philips, light-house keeper, Point Escuminac, informed me that he found it 24 feet deep in one place. Like those already described it is almost treeless, but covered with heath plants. A section of the peat and underlying beds, taken near the Light-House, is as follows, the series being descending : — 1. Peat 7 to 8 feet. 2. Sand, coarse and gravelly, chiefly derived from the under- lying gravel, but with more or less beach sand and foreign pebbles ; the whole partially stratified G to 9 inches. 3. Gravel in situ, derived wholly from underlying sandstones or shales. Thickness variable. 4. Grey, Middle Carboniferous sandstones or shales. Among the numerous stumps, trunks of treerj and sticks in the bot- tom layers of the peat or between divisions 1 and 2, a log partially burnt was observed. It is part of the trunk of a spruce tree, and has been split and shattered before it was thrown up here by the sea, About seven feet of it project out of the bottom of the peat. Three spots on one side were charred ami hollowfed out slightly by tiro. The stumps and roots in the peat bottom around it are in situ. M! 5 to 7 feet. to 3 le level, and the sinks l)el()\v the found at Point Report of Pro- ise (lotted over ladc around its irt of which is bet or upwards. ■med me that he described it is [ion of tho peat as follows, the CHALVERS.] VEaETABLB MOULD. 25 N This burnt stick is similar to many other ehattei-ed ones lying upon the existing beaches and seems to have reached its present site before the pout iiogan to grow. Its exposure now is caused b}- tho wearing away of tlio edge of tho peat by the sea. Whether it is any proof of the occupuucy of tlio^e shores by human bein"s before the growth of the pent beds, remains to be considered. V study of all tho phenomena connected with these peat bods leads Peat beds , . ,, . !• !_... 1 • 1 , ■ 1 • alloriling proof to the conclusion that a slight subsidence must have taken place in this of slight sub- (listiic't since tho commencement of their growth. Tho bottom of region since thi^e deposits seems to bo at least 10 to 15 feet below high tide level ofTheIr growth in some places, and from their proximity to the coast the basins occu- pied by them, if emptied of peat, would be inundated, wore the relative levels of the sea and land the same when the peat began to grow as now. Hence this coast area must have been 10 to 15 feet higher, if not more, with lespect to the sea then. Moreover, the fact that the bottom 111 these peat bogs, wheiover exposed, is invariably found to contain ttumps of trees in situ of species now growing in swampy tracts near tlic coast, at a height of 10 to 25 feet above sea level, corroborates the same view. On the other hand tho sand beaches now covered by peat around the bonlers of the basins enclosing it, upon which logs, sticks, stumps, etc., have apparently been strewn by the tides before the peat j grew on them, indicate that the change of level cannot have been j niui'h greater than that stated above.^- These bogs appear to be still increasing in height and breadth. The Ueahas, however, broken through the barriers of sand and earth which enclosed the peat basins originally, exposing their margins in certain plates to its ero.-ivo action. Elsewhere they are protected by sand banks recently formed. Their economic value will be referred to 1 further on. ''I 'I ! 41 1 Hi 7 to S feet. e to 9 inches. Icks in the hot- la log P' rtially lo tree, and has i-e bv the eea. lie pi ly by ■at. Three tiro. The Vegetable Mould, or Decayed Vegetable Matter. Ipon the surface of the forest-clad areas and also on newly-cleared Vegetable iivls, a layer of material occurs often two inches or more in thickness, formed. iHisistiiig laigcly of dead leaves, rotten wood, remains of herbaceous 'lants, etc., the lower portion of which, at least, is decomposed into iMnuis, This was referred to on a pi-evious page. As the soil undergoes I There arc evidLMices 1)1' one upward and two downward ujovemonts of the land in northern l-wlirunswick (luiiuii the I'ost-Tertiary period. Fii^sl, a .■'iibsidoiioe wliich aitparently ooni" IB ii(ti| ill the sliiciiil period, tho maximum of whicli was reached about its close or soon after I'lrk Ilieluii.ltla'ii stood aliouta)) feet below its present level relatively to tho sea- The I' "'"■''■' t'I'iy appears ti) have been laid down at this stage. An upwanl movement followed ■ "'nswhifh tlie upper portion of tho Leda clay and the Saxicava sands were deposited, this I '>im.';ito.iniiiiiiirijr till the land had again risen lo to 25 feet, or iierhaps niDro. above its ex" s'cvtl with Inspect to the sea. The peat and mail beds were f lien formed, and a second ' ' •'il'e beds of sand forming islands and beaches, in the Miraniichi Bay, it is evident the denudation of the estuarine borders and coast has been enormous. The ^[iramichi Eiver appears to have been the chiet instrument in effecting this, but every stream flowing into this part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence has, no doubt, carried down greater or less quantities of sandy detritus. T ,.., The character of ihesj sand dunes was described in iircccding le- Localities ' ... where dunes ports. It will be sufficient therefore to briefly mention the localities occur. ' . -' of such as are known to occur in the district. • Tiie e.xisitence of tlii.s ."uri'ificiiil lnycr has hitherto been overlooked ; but iii the stml.*' f '"' | .surf lice deposits of this distri"t it Iwcanie evident, from it.'' thickness in niiin.v phiccs ami it^ re- lation to the seiinis of whitish or Kre.vish sands underneatli or iissociiiteil tliiTi'wiili, tlml '' was necessary to recottni/.o it as a member of the ."eries. In the natural forest-eluil coihlili"" o' ' " country it forms an almost universal layer, continuons with the peat bedi", which inileed may >« considered aJi a thickening of this vegetal)le layer in particular localities by the iKMitumiil prowl of mosses, etc. For the present therefore it is classed provisionally with the frt>h-wuter allu- j viums. CH»l"E(l>'] MARINE ALLUVIUMS. 27 N kind ; but on At tho north point of Miscou Island, and extendini^ half its length on the north-west side, a wide beach occurs, consisting of ridges parallel to tho shore line, the surface being live to eight feet above ordinary high tide level (see map). The inner, or first-foi-med ridges, arc now clothed with trees (white spruce, white birch, etc.) Spruces nine inches to a foot in dianneter and 20 to 30 feet high are common, becoming smaller and more scattered towards tho more recently formed portion of the beach. The ridges are all about the same height, no change of level being indicated during their formation. Walrus bones occur in the oldest of these, although the living animal is not seen in adjacent waters now.* Dnnes skirt the whole eastern coast of Miscou Island, almost closing its harbour on that side, and stretching along the north-east part of Shippeijim Island nearl}' to Pigeon Hill. At the entrance to Shippegan harbour (east side) sand dunes extend along tho shore, and thence nearly to Barrcau Point (see map), enclos- inir Poivemouche and Tracadic lagoons. All tho islands in Miramichi Bay, except Hospital, Sheldrake and Vin are foi'nicd of sand. They have each a nucleus of dry gravel orXuclciof rock in situ similar to that of the adjacent mainland, however, around in gome dunes. which the sands have collected. Ridges and mounds formed by the winds and waves are characteristic features of these dunes. Their area seems to be increasing, and extensive shoals surround them. Most of these dunes are clothed with a dwarfed growth of trees or shrubbery in the central of nuclcal part. i ■ It-cliidciin.lili""" Salt Marshes. Salt marshes occur in small patches at Tracadie lagoon, also at Salt marshes, T I • XT ri.. 1 1 1 where found. lauusmtac, Neguac, etc. J ho only ones large enough to map were seen on the western side of Point Cheval and at the mouth of Black Eiver, also on tho inner side of Vin Island (see map). On all these tay in considerable quantities is annually cut. At the mouth of Bennison's Brook, and inside of IIuckleberi'\- lagoon (east side), as ivellasin other localities, small marshes were also noted. For previous Jesoriptinns of salt marshes see repoi-ts of 18S5 and 1886. ' ^(ttl('lnellts ure -aiil lohave been f'oundeil licrc in tho 17th century by tlie French for tlie HrfiMof iiipturini,' the walrus or sen-cow. Such tin externiiniitinjt war wa.s waged against tliis n.riiioaniniiil tliat it Minn liecamc extiiiet in thii part nf tlio (iulf. It is claimed that iJicrc may itillbcsfcii til,, ruins (if tlie post of the Koyal Company of Miscou, wliich was founded in lti35 t"'™ iirosecutinii of wjih'us fisbiuK etc., and lor a time derived a (treat revenue tlierefrom. "i-'laml takes its name from the mission ol' St. Charles dc MiscMui, established here at an early ™'li>the .lesuils. l'(,r further information see I'eiley's Reports on the Fisheries of Now Bnmmick ami lliml's Preliminary Report on the Geology of New Brunswick, ISM. ills. "' - i,' 28 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK. Estuarine Flats. Estuarine flats, E^stuarino flats occupy ureas of gi-eater oi' less ])rcadth in ^liscoiiand of. Shippegan harbours and in Pokcmouche and Tracailio lagoons. In the mouths of the several rivers debouching Into Miramichi Bay, and also among the islands which occupy it, wide expanses of sand, callwl " sandbars", arc eithoi- laid bare at ebb tides, or covered only with a few inches of water. These usually support a dense growth of maiine plants. The general character of these formations was discussed in previous reports, antl it is therefore unnecessary to go into further details re- garding them. General agricultural character of the district. AORICOLTLRAL CHARACTER, SyLVA, EtC. The agricultural character of the district under considcratiDn pre- sents no new features, except such as have been incidentally mentioned in previous pages of this reiwrt. The soils and subsoils bear, perhaps, a closer i-elation to the underlying i-ocks than in the coastal areas of the Bale des Chaleurs basin, and are likewise deeper, usually masking the strata completely evcrj'where, except on the Pre-Camlnian belts. Iilven where the surface is strewn with boulders foreign to the iKUticu- lar locality, the great bulk of the deposils belongs to the underlying rocks. The denudation which the region has undergone has carried away much of the finer material from the higher grounds and slopes, however, often leaving only a coarse gravelly or shingly sdH. In the valleys tbei-e is usually a thick deposit of clay, gravel and loam, and wherever the latter is found, the soil is rich and jjroductive. H Soils upon the Middle and Lower Carboniferous llocks. Soil of Carbon- The general character of these .soils as met with in the Baio des iferous area ° i 4. / \ above 2«o feet Chaleui's district was described in some detail in my last report (.An- contour lines. , ^ . . , •,ii,. nual Report, 188(i), and the remarks therein respecting them, espcciaii) as occurring in eastern Gloucester, are also applicable to tlic^e of the district now under discussion. On tliat part of it above the 200 feet contour line, the soil, more especially on the drier grounds (leaving out of consideration the vegetable layer usually occupying the surface), i> j a dry .stony gravel o'- sand with an admixture of claj' in certain locali- ties. Where the sand and gravel predominate, it is oxceotlingly porous 1 and light, but where clay prevails it generally has a hardpan under neath, and, if flat, is often wet and swampy. This hardpan, which is almost im])ervious to water, consists of tine sand and clay, wiih more CHALMEBS.] AGRICULTURAL CHARACTER, FLORA, ETC. 29 N liinMiscouand ngoons. In the i Bay, and also of sand, Oiilknl red only with a •owtli of marine ssed in previi^is rthcr details ve- '0. msideration pre- ntally mentioned )ils bear, porhiips, coastal areas of usually masking e-Camljrian belts. gn to the particu- the underlying vone has carr led )unds and slopes. [(vly SOU the 3l and loam, and active. lloch in 1 last re he Baio Ir theni.e to )V0 port (An- specially those of the the 200 feet lunds (leaving out ^ the sui'faee). i> loeali- ill certain Ueedingly pof hard pan " •ous ndei'- hieh i» |ardpan, w jlav. Nviih more or less "ravel intermixed, and is in some places stratified, in Otliers a true till. It is found in fiat districts or in low inland valleys where it is often covered only by the vegetable layoi* refei-red to on a previous paire, which is here thicker than upon the ridges. AVhero there is sulfleient slope to afford good drainage, the clay soils are usually fertile, but as they are wanting in organic and calcareous matter they require frenucnl applications of fertilizing matoi-ial to render them productive. The low flat or undulating tracts, however, need, besides this, a ])roper system of draining. Without it. except in very dry seasons, their productiveness is much less than that of the drier grounds. Below the 200 feet contour line the soil is, generally speaking, much Soil of Carbon- . 1 1 mi n t II 1 ■ 1 iferoua urea superior to that inland. The surlace has usually a gentle slope towards bciow 200 feet the Gulf shores and on this account is better drained, while along*^ manvof the liver valleys, alluviums prevail. Bay du Yin, Black River and N'apan valleys, more especially the latter, contain land of excellent quality, the upper portion of the soil partaking somewhat of a loamy tinsistency. On the north side of the Miramichi estuary, from New- castle to Bartibogue, the coarser matei-ial of the surface deposits only seems to be loft upon the slopes, although immediately bordering the coast there are strips of good land. Further north, between Barti- bogue and Tabusintac, the coastal area is generally low and wet, but , contains some arable tracts. The back settlements here are, however, kilted upon good dry soil. Between Tabusintac and Ti'acadie a wide handy plain occurs, mostly unsettled, but around the latter place and I at St. Isidore, excellent tracts of farming land are found. Shippegan and Miscou Islands have but few settlers, and these devote Imost of their time to fishing. The land is low, and most of it poor land wet. Returning to the Miramichi Eiver, we find many fine tracts of land loteupied and in a good state of cultivation upon the Middle and Lower Kaihoniferons areas along the North-West and South-West branches. jibeslopes atloid good di-ainage and the soil is , as attained, since •oots. Ilacmatuc jm to have gvo^'n growth of trt'e> Belts. T the district, that IS the best lands, Nopisiguit, the ■)!■. Klls' repiM'ts,] are some tracts j ■, about the head- 1 Li-eas of tine land,! dornoss state, is higher and ap-j largely coveredj e, piiH', etc. The! ats with cxccUontj are clothed with ;0 feet in height.! say, the last menj lof 182"), seem.iiJ INDIAN ENCAMPMENTS. Soil upon the Pre-Cambrian Roch. 31 N Reference has already been made to the great amount of rock debris P,oii<:f.Pre- vtrewn over the suriaco oi that part ot the country occupied by those roeks. general , ., i 1 , ... ■ r«. . sttrility of. rncks, and its consequent gcnei-al sterility noted. The mountain >ummits and flanks often exhibit little else than a mass of loose biiulders and coarse shingle, the result of ages of disintegration- Alnng the foot-hills and in the valleys, however, there are limited areas of cultivable soil, while narrow intervales and terraces usually skiit the rivers. A considerable part of this district has been overrun by forest tires, and the covering of trees thus destroyed has never been replaced. Isolated clumps still occupy tlio lowei- portions of the slopes in ])laces, however, and shroud the valleys and ravines. The settlements within the Miramichi district are chiotly confined Pcttlements, II. 1 . 1 . r.,. . . where located. to the tracts bordering the coasts and estuaries. This is more especially the case on the north side of the river, as on the south side, in addition to the coast settlements, there are a number of others along the tributaries and behind the towns, as will appear on the miip. Many of the latter are in a thriving condition, the general asrricultural character of the country here being very good. Indian Encampments. Old Indian camping grounds, in which flint arrow-heads, chips, bones Indian camping and teeth of animals, etc., occur, were observed at the mouth of Tabu- sintac Eivor and on the banks of the South- West Miramichi a few miles ahine Derby Junction, There seems to have been a burial ground in rear of the camp site at Tabusintac, human remains and a copper kettle having been found there.-i^ A leaden crucifix, an iron hatchet, RoHcs found, and other evidences of the intercourse of the early French settlers 'fith the Indians were also discovered. A number of the relics mc colliMted by Dr. A. C. Smith, of Newcastle, and Dr. Baxter, of Chatham, and forwarded to the Naturiil History Society of New Brunswick and a paper relating to these pre-historic remains ap- poared in Bulletin No. V. of that Society. An examination of 'liis Indian camp site dui'ing the past summer, in company with I'l' Smith, elicited the following facts: — The site of the encamp- ment is only three to five feet above high tide level, and the sea is wshing away the bank. Fig. 3 represents a geological section ot the beds — a, millstone grit ; b, the same partially, and in the ■ The liumiin remains were supposed to bo tlioso of an Indian, and were buried tliree feet wp in the liver's bank in rear of the camp-site. \\[r- ;!! fcr i I 32 N NORTH-EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK, Tide Icvc . «, Sandy loam, b, Rotted rock, c, Middle Carboniferous sandstone. Tig. 3. Section at Indian Camj'-sitb, Tabusintac Riveh. upper part wholly, decomposed fi-om subii'rial action ; and c, a sandy loam apparently formed fiom the further oxidation of the umleilvin" gravel or sand and mingled with moi-e or less recent sand thrown up])}' the sea. Only in division c do the relics occur. Division b appears to have been undisturbed, and there is no evidence of a submerifcncc since the deposition of the Saxicava sands, (of which in reality c may form a part) or from the commencement of its occupancy bv the In- dians, as inferred by the writer of the article in the Bulletin just cited. Howentombcd.'^'i'^ ®"t*'™''™^"*' ^* the relics in division c has been effected partly, pei-haps, by the rejectamenta of the Indians, but principally by atniDs- pheric action and tillage, none appearing deeper in the soil tlian the plough could cover them. From the numerous stone chips, unfinished arrow-heads and others of more pei-fect form, as well as the relics showing contact with the early European settlers just referred to, it seems probable that the Indians occupied this camp site contiMiioiisly from a very early period until recently. About the year IStiO they are said to have left it never to return. Materials op Economic Importance, 1: Economic The materials of economic importance known to occur in this district have been incidentally referred to in preceding pages, and are biick- clay, fine sand, gravel suitable for roads, ballasting railways, etc., peat and bog iron-ore, the latter in small quantities. Where found, Brick-clay of marine formation (Leda clay) is found in great abun- dance along the estuary of the Miramichi, and brick-kilns are in oper- ation at Chatham, Newcastle and Nelson. The one at the last mentioned place is the largest and the bricks manufactui-ed there are reported to be of excellent quality. Sand beds (Saxicava sand) occur in prox- imity to these brick yj-rds, affording supplies of sand suitable for brick and mortar. Both Saxicava and recent sands of the tinest quiility for the purposes mentioned are abundant almost eveiywherc along the coast of this district (see p. 26 n, this report,) for description of sand dunes). cHtiHEna.] MATERIALS OP KOONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 33 N Gravel adaptod for the purposos roforred to was met with in the vicinity ol' Cliatham, DouglaHtown, Nowt-astlo, Biirtibogiio and numor- oii« Dlliei- localities. Peat is abundant and of groat thiclcnoss and excellent quality. SliouUl this ai'ticlo ever be required for I'uol in northern Now Bruns- wick, or for any other purpose, thoro is luiro an almost inoxhausliblo siinply. The particular localities where tho largei' peat bogs occur, tiM'ctho.' with brief descriptions of them, are found on pp. 22-25 n, (tjiis report.) Bo" iron-ore was observed on the south side of Tracadie Eiver in smiill qtinntitios. It was also noted on tho North-West Miramichi in the vicinity of Chaplin Island. Clay associated with it and coloured therefrom is, at the latter place, used as a red paint for the outside of buildings.