Report on the Geological Survey of the Province of New Brunswick. [1838]-1842 (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1839. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SANDSTONE, CONGLOMERATE, &C. 41 ficicnt evidences are presented to the mind, that there was a period in the history of this country, subsequent to the accumulation of sandstones, shales and coal of the carboniferous period, when there existed such a depression in this part of the great coal field, that its surface was beneath the common sea level. Into this depression the detrital matter, derived from pre-existing strata, was carried by water, and there deposited in strata of sandstone and conglomerate, as they are now seen in their consolidated state. The pebbles forming the conglomerates have all been rounded by attrition; and, in. figure, are like those which have undergone the action of water, along sea coasts, or where fragments of rocks are exposed to the wearing influence of currents. Even the sources from which those pebbles were brought, are, in some instances, discoverable; and thus it is seen, that causes still active upon the earth, were in operation at remote periods in its history. The mixture of these pebbles with sand, their position, their variety and figures all prove, that their history is identical with those of the loose beds, now found upon the surface and along the coasts. The sandstone and marl are only the same materials, in a more finely comminuted state. They were longer exposed, or, from their original chemical composition, they might have been more readily broken, or were exposed to the more violent effects of the element beneath which they were lodged; afterwards to form the solid mountain and fertile field, where they are again undergoing the same disintegrating process, which they had previously endured. It is by these natural operations that the earth has been rendered productive, and its once solid, barren and almost impervious ...