Dr. Bell furnishes the following summary of the season's operations :

Although the watershed to Hudson Bay was crossed both in the eastern and in the western extension of the exploration, the country examined may be described as the Upper Ottawa country, as the waters used as the bases of our operations, both east and west of Lake Temiscaming, fall into the Ottawa River.

"Fort Temiscaming was selected as headquarters for the summer."

The examination of the rocks of Lake Temiscaming was in continuation of the work of Sir W. E. Logan, in 1845, the result of which is summarized iu Chapters IV and XII of the Geology of Canada, 1863, and where also the succession of the Laurentian and the Huronian rocks on Lake Temiscaming is described. In the report for 1845 the rocks are more fully described, but they were not then known as Laurentian and Huronian,

Dr. Bell now states :-" This lake is surrounded by Huronian rocks and these were re-examined in the light of the knowledge of the Huronian system which has been gained since the time of Sir W. Logan's visit in 1815. The Silurian limestones, &c., of the islands and of the northern part of the lake were also examined and a considerable collection of their fossils was made. It is believed that the limits of the Silurian area at the north end of the lake can now be defined with tolerable accuracy.

"The course of the main Montreal River is singularly straight; its upward bearing is about north-west and the distance from the mouth to the Great Bend, near which it divides into two branches flowing from the south, is 85 miles in a straight line. In 1875 I examined both these branches and the country thence to Lake Mattagami, in connection with a geological exploration, extending from the Wanapitai and Sturgeon Rivers, but the main Montreal River, below the Bend, had not bitherto been examined geologically. The rocks along it were found to belong to the Huronian system, except in two parts, namely at Bass Creek, two miles above the head of Elk Lake and just below the extremity of Sinclair's Line, or four miles below the junction of the East Branch, where Laurentian gneiss was met with.

"From the Great Bend of the Montreal River I crossed the height of land northward and descended the Frederick House River, a branch of the Abittibbi, to Paishko-tchagami Lake. All the rocks seen on this route also belong to the Huronian.

"On returning from this exploration I descended the Montreal River to its junction with the northern outlet of Temagami Lake and made a track survey and geological examination of the lakes through which it flows. The rocks on this route were found to consist principally of clay-slates, argillites and quartzites. At the time of my visit to Temagami Lake Mr. Barlow was engaged in making a micrometer and compass survey of it, having begun this work on the 23rd July, and he completed it about the end of September, after which he made a similar survey of the route from Temagami Lake vid Rabbit Lake to the foot of Lake Temiscoming. Temagami Lake was found to measure about thirty miles in its greatest extent, or from north to south, and nearly the same from east to west, but much of its general area is occupied by peninsulas and islands. It is remarkable for having two outlets which discharge its waters the one into the St. Lawrence and the other into the Ottawa. The southern outlet is a branch of the Sturgeon River, which flows into Lake Nipissing and thence by the French River into Lake Huron; while the northern outlet as already mentioned, falls into the Montreal River and thence into the Ottawa. The rocks around Temagami Lake embrace felsites holding pebbles of syenite, which are the most abundant, quartzites, clay-slates, massive diorites and crystalline schists.

"After having made a geological reconnaisance of Temagami Lake, I returned to Fort Temiscaming by way of Rabbit Lake and the Mattabatchawan River and found the rocks along this route to consist principally of felsites and clay-slates.

"The Rivière Blanche and the travelled canoe route from Lake Temiscaming to Abittibi Lake were explored geologically by the late Mr. Walter McOuat in 1872,* and during the present year Mr. E. B. Borron, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, made an exploration of the region lying to the south ward of the latter lake.

Report of Progress. Geol. Sur., 1872-73 pp. 112-135.

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and he has kindly promised to furnish me with notes of his geological observations. We are indebted to Mr. Edward Haycock and to Mr. David Beatty, P.L.S., for additional information on the rocks of the Rivière Bianche and neighborhood.

"The next division of the season's operations consisted of the exploration of the region between Lake Temiscaming and the source of the Ottawa. Accompanied by Mr. Cochrane I proceeded from this lake by way of Kippewa, Birch, Sasiganaga, Wolf and Grassy Lakes to the Grand Lac du Moine, and thence to Grand or Victoria Lake of the Ottawa. Laurentian gneiss was the only rock observed on this route all the way from the 100t of Lake Temiscaming.

"From Grand Lake Mr. Cochrane was sent northward to ascertain whether or not the Huronian belt which crosses the canoe-route between the height-of-land and Lake Abbittibbi, extends eastwardly to that longitude. In connection with this exploration he made a track survey of the northern arm of Grand Lake, which has a length of about twenty miles, and thence across the watershed, and down the chain of lakes and streams which leads in the same direction to Shabogamog Lake. A track survey and a geological examination were made of this lake, which proved to be over thirty miles long. Mr. Cochrane next descended the river flowing from this Shabogamog Lake for a distance of over ten miles, northwardly, where a series of rapids begins. It proved to be a large stream, fully equal to the Ottawa just below Grand Lake, and is apparently the head of the un-named river flowing into Hannah Bay, at the southern. extremity of James' Bay. The height of land passes close to the northern extremity of Grand Lake, and soon after crossing it Mr. Cochrane found crystalline schists of the Huronian system, and further on they were met with here and there, alternating with Laurentian-like gneiss, as far as the outlet of Shabogamog Lake, beyond which the schists were continuous as far as he descended the river. There is little doubt these rocks form part of the Huronian belt, extending eastward from Abbittibbi Lake.

"On returning to Grand Lake Mr. Cochrane, according to instructions,descended the Ottawa to Lake Temiscaming. The section of the river lying between Grand Lake and Lac des Quinze had been surveyed with the micrometer by Mr. Lindsay Russell, and it only remained for Mr. Cochrane to note the geological formations. The rocks along this division of the Ottawa proved to consist entirely of Laurentian gneiss. The Huronian schists, between Lac des Quinze and Lake Temiscaming were examined and reported on by the late Mr. McOuat, in 1872.

"Leaving Mr. Cochrane at Grand Lake to continue the explorations which bave just been described, I proceeded up stream towards the source of the Ottawa. Grand Lake, the Ottawa River and the lakes upon its course as far as Barrier Lake, had been explored by Mr. Henry C. Symmes, P. L. S., in 1866, so that I only required to examine this section geologically, and throughout its whole extent the only rocks seen were gneiss.

"Above Barrior Lake, both a geological examination and a track-survey of the Ottawa were made to its source, which was found to be in a small lake at the head of the north-western and longest of the two branches into which it ultimately divides. This sheet of water, which is only about two miles long, had no name, and I called it Ottawa Lake, as an appropriate designation, and as following the almost universal rule which obtains in these regions by which the lake at the source of a river bears the same name as the river flowing from it. Laurentian gneiss continued to be the only rock observed all the way from Barrier Lake to Ottawa Lake.

"From Ottawa Lake I crossed the water shed to Echaume Lake, one of the sources of the Gatineau River, and then descended that stream, which is constantly augmented by tributaries from either side as far as the river Désert, continuing to make both a track survey and a geological examination the whole way. No rock but gneiss was met with in descending the Gatineau until reaching a portage about thirty miles below the Zigonse or principal north-east tributary of the river, where a white weathering coarsely crystalline light grey limestone made its appearance, and was afterwards traced, almost continuously, down the river nearly to its mouth. This well characterized belt of limestone has evidently a great thickness. Thinner bands of a somewhat similar crystalline limestone were observed interstratifying gneisses, &c., in the lower part of the valley of the Désert. From this point I brought

my canoe-men by stage to Ottawa, and thence sent them back to Lake Temiscaming vid Mattawa."

The limestone above referred to by Dr. Bell was first noticed by Mr. J. Richardson in 1870 and is pretty fully described by him in the Report of Progress, Geol. Survey 1870-71,in which, on page 289, he says: "Without further examination it would be impossible to say whether these limestones which are so largely displayed along this portion of the Gatineau River form one or more bands. The thickness of this limestone in some parts cannot be short of five or six hundred feet and below the Big Eddy Portage may reach a thousand feet."

Dr. Bell further reports that while endeavoring to ascertain the nature, structure and geographical distribution of the rocks in the districts examined during the season, special attention was directed to the discovery of economic minerals.

"In this connection it may be mentioned that some days were devoted to an enquiry and examination into the alleged discovery of auriferous quartz veins in several places in the vicinity of Mattawa. The various openings where the discoveries were said to have been made were visited and a number of specimens were collected. These have since been assayed by Mr. Hoffmann, but without finding gold or silver in any of them.

"The glaciation of the fundamental rocks and other phenomena of the drift were studied and many interesting facts noted, but these will be more appropriately recorded in the detailed report to be prepared. Numerous observations for latitude were made, which will be used to give greater accuracy to the maps of our track surveys. Notes were constantly kept in reference to commercial timber and to the distribution and the northern limits of the trees in the region visited. Considerable information was gathered on the natural history of the districts, especially with reference to food fishes; and collections of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were made. The temperature of Lake Temagamin and of other lakes was recorded three times a day by Mr. J. Fraser, a member of the party.

"Forty photographic views were taken to illustrate the various characteristic features of the scenery, points of geological interest and the general aspect of the country.

As on all previous occasions the Survey is again indebted to the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company for their kind hospitality and assistance in promoting .the work, and in this connection I may be allowed to mention more particularly Chief Factor Colin Rankin, Mr. C. C. Farr, J.P., Mr. J. Mann, Mr. L. Christopherson and Mr. J. Turner.

Cost of season's exploration, $2,036.87.

Mr. F. D. Adams left Ottawa on the 13th July, and spent the following three months and a-half in exploring and mapping in detail those portions of the counties of Montcalm and Joliette, which are included in the north-west quarter sheet of the map known as the map of the Eastern Townships.

The area examined by Mr. Adams has an extent of about 1,200 square miles, and lies immediately to the north of that explored by him in 1885. He now states that, "The great mass of anorthosite underlying Morin, Abercrombie, Wexford and several other townships in Montcalm and in the adjacent counties, and the southern and western boundaries of which have already been determined, was still further examined, and its southern and eastern boundaries carefully traced. In doing so the unexpected fact was ascertained that the so called massive and stratified varieties of this rock are in reality only different portions of one and the same mass. A number of small outliers of anorthosite were found in the gneiss to the east of this main area, resembling those found before on its western and southern sides. Four bands of crystalline limestone were also found east of the Lac Ouarreau band and on the eastern side of the principal anorthosite area, some of which undoubtedly correspond to those found by Sir William Logan on its western side. As a result of this summer's work, I think it may be safely concluded that the rocks comprising the principal area of anorthosite above referred to, as well as most, if not all, of the smallor areas, are of eruptive origin.

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"All localities, where minerals of economic importance were reported to occur, were visited and examined. These were for the most part deposits supposed to contain either gold or iron ore, many of which are associated with bands of pyritous rock near the contact of the anorthosite and gneiss. Several of them, now aban. doned, had at one time been more or less extensively worked for gold. Specimens of these ores were collected, and it is proposed to assay them, in order to ascertain whether they really contain a sufficient amount of gold to warrant further efforts being made for their development. A large number of other specimens were also collected, some of which, it is hoped, may prove of economic importance, as well as of scientific interest.

"There still remains a large area to be examined within the limits of the map referred to, and until this is effected and the map can be completed for publication, it is deemed desirable to defer the preparation of a detailed report on the geological structure of the district. A short report will, however, be prepared during this winter, dealing chiefly with the economic resources of those portions already examined, and which seem to be of more immediate practical importance.

Cost of season's exploration, $563.00.

Dr. R. W. Ells, with Mr. N. J. Giroux as assistant, was occupied during the past season in continuing to the north-east the final examination and mapping of the geological formations on the south side of the St. Lawrence, in a part of the area comprising the north-east quarter sheet of the map of the Eastern Townships, extending from the county of Megantic north-eastward to the county of L'Islet. This work was, as stated, a continuation of that of the previous season to the south, which is described in the summary report for 1886, and in greater detail in part J of the annual report recently issued. The first two months were devoted principally to an examination of the gold-bearing rocks of the Chaudière district, and later the rocks along the southern side of the St. Lawrence were re-examined from St. Nicholas towards Rivière du Loup, together with some of the islands below the Island of Orleans. The object of this was to ascertain and to map more accurately than has been hitherto effected the distribution and the relative positions of the Levis formation and of the so called Lauzon and Sillery formations along the borders of the St. Lawrence, where the rocks over considerable areas, were in 1869 assigned to the horizon of the Potsdam sandstone, while other large areas of precisely similar rocks were still included in one or other of the sub-divisions of the so-called Quebec group. The reconnaisance examinations which I have, from time to time, carried out in all parts of the region since 1874 had made it evident that an entire revision of the work of 1869 and previous years was now required, and this was commenced by Dr. Ells in 1885, and has since been ably prosecuted by him. The observations of the past season must now be carefully studied, and another season's work in the area will be required before the actual distribution of the formations can be fully ascertained and finally mapped, and the geological structure reported on, as there is still a very large area, probably not less than 1,250 square miles, in the counties of Bellechasse, Montmagny and L'Islet, that has been but little, if at all, explored. Much of it is thickly wooded and difficult of access; but as it is on the line of strike of the mineral-bearing belt to the south-west, it is not impossible that in some parts of it there may be a recurrence either of the asbestos, the iron ore, or the cupriferous deposits of that belt. In any case it is very desirable that the whole area should now be fully and exhaustively explored, and its geological structure worked out before the map of it is published. This, it is hoped, may be accomplished next year. A number of outcrops of serpentine, which are confined to the area southwest of the Etchemin River, were examined, with a view to finding workable deposits of asbestos, but though at several of these small viens of asbestos were observed, the mineral does not appear to occur in sufficient quantity to be of economic importance, and the altered igneous rocks with which it is associated to the south west, chiefly in what has been called the volcanic belt, seem to disappear after the valleys of the Chaudière and Etchemin rivers are crossed.

On mining in the district Dr. Ells reports:

"The output of asbestos at the mines of Coleraine and Thetford has largely increased during the past season, and preparations were being made to continue working during the winter. Several new mines have been opened at Thetford and near the Coleraine station, which promise well.

"The Broughton Mine, situated on lot 14, range 7, Broughton, about half a mile west of the Quebec Central railway, is still being worked, though its present output is not very considerable. The asbestos at this mine occurs in an irregular vein along the contact between the serpentine and the black Cambrian slates, and differs from that obtained at the other mines of this mineral in character of fibre, and in its being associated with soapstone. It is, in so far as yet ascertained, confined to but one vein of any importance. Three shafts have been sunk in the line of outcrop, and some very excellent asbestos has been extracted, more especially from the upper portion of the vein. Very good indications of asbestos were also observed on lots 27, 28 and 29, range A, Coleraine, near the Poudrier road, the property of Dr. James Reed. Though but little work had been done, a number of veins of asbestos were exposed at the surface, varying in thickness from half an inch to an inch and a half.

"The gold mines of the Chaudière have not yet been developed on a scale commensurate with their importance. During the past season three companies have been engaged in mining operations, viz., the St. Onge Co, on Slate Creek, at St. George, Beauce; Messrs. Coupal & McArthur, on Mill Creek, near St. Francis village, and Capt. Richards on the Cumberland Stream, a branch of the Famine River. On the DesPlantes River also, Mr. Horace Sewell has been engaged in prospecting, with the object of finding the old channel of that stream, and claims to have been successful in locating it, though no work has yet been done to test it as a source of gold. At St. Francis, Mr. Coupal states that he has found considerable "coarse" gold.

"During the past summer the old copper mine at Harvey Hill has again been opened up, under the management of Mr. Chas. Lionais, but at the time of my visit the operations were confined principally to repairing the shafts and buildings. This mine has already been fully described in the Geology of Canada, 1863, pp. 724, 728, and no further information need here be given concerning it.

"Work has again been resumed at the South Ham antimony mine. This property is mentioned in the Geology of Canada, 1863, p. 876, and later in the Report of Progress Geo. Survey 1881-82, p. 399. It has lately changed hands, and is now owned by Dr. James Reed, who within the present year, 1887, has driven a tunnel from the lower part of the hill in which the mine is situated, a distance of 304 feet, which has struck the vein at the bottom of the 100 foot shaft, with which also the other workings of the mine are connected. The mineral bearing lode, cut by the tunnel, is reported by Dr. Reed to be seventy feet in width, all of which he says will pay for extraction." The object of the tunnel driven by Dr. Reed is to drain the workings and to facilitate the extraction of the ore. Dr. Reed has already taken out about twenty tons of ore, and intends carrying on the work during the winter. The great difficulty in the way at present is the lack of a market, a difficulty likewise experienced at the antimony mines of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. According to the "Mineral Resources of the United States, 1885," the price of 50 per cent. ore was at that date $10 per ton, the amount of crude antimony and regulus imported into the United States for that year, being 2,668,302 lbs., valued at $223,741, and of antimony ore 243,635 lbs., valued at $8,783.

"Attention has again been directed to the iron ore deposits of Leeds. These ores, referred to in the Geology of Canada, 1863, p. 677, were subsequently examined by the late Mr. Chas. Robb, M.E., and are also referred to in "Iron Ores of Canada, p. 205, Rep. Geol. Sur., 1873-74," by Dr. Harrington, who says: "The strata have been exposed by stripping for a distance of forty yards in the direction of the strike, and sixteen yards across it. In the latter distance three tolerably regular beds of ore were seen, respectively six, four and three feet thick, and all dipping to the north west at an angle of 50°. The beds are separated by bands of chloritic slate, containing quartz and felspar. The ore is a fine-grained magnetite, more or less mixed mith micaceous