8

The iron ores, mentioned by Richardson as occurring in the
“Lower shales,” are probably concretionary bands of dolomitic
and calcareous shale, which are sufficiently ferruginous to weather
buff and brown.

Appendices to his report deal with the fossils collected, coal
analyses, etc.

DAWSON’S REPORT!.

The report by G. M. Dawson on the Queen Charlotte
islands, in so far as it deals with Graham island, is based on a
careful examination of the shores and islands of Skidegate
inlet (of which a map on the scale of 1 inch to 1 mile accompanies
the report), an examination of portions of the east and north
coasts of the island, and a short reconnaissance in Masset inlet.
With the exception of the detailed work done in Skidegate
inlet, the field work was of an exploratory or reconnaissance
nature.

The scope of the report may best be indicated by giving the
titles of its main divisions. These are:

Position, discovery, and early history of the islands.
General description of the islands.
Geological observations.
General remarks on the rocks of the Queen Charlotte islands.
Notes on the map.
Triassic.
Cretaceous coal-bearing rocks.
Tertiary.
Glaciation and superficial deposits.

The discovery and early history of the islands have already
been summarized in the present report. The general description
of the group deals with their geography, topography, and
scenery, and is a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the
islands. Dawson’s map, accompanying his report, remained
until very recent years the only reliable general map of the
group, and parts of the west coast are to this day as little known
as when his visit was made.

The table of formations given by Dawson is as follows:

on

1 Dawson, G. M., Geol. Surv., Can., Ann. Rept., 1878-79, pp. 1B-239B.