rded as a northern continuation of the Appalachian mountain system
that runs parallel to the Atlantic coast of the United States. The rocks
underlying it have been subjected to successive foldings and crumplings
by forces acting chiefly from the direction of the Atlantic Ocean, with
alternating prolonged periods of waste and denudation. The main axis of
disturbance and the highest remaining land runs through the
south-eastern part of Quebec, forming the Notre Dame Mountains, and
terminates in the Gaspe peninsula as the Shickshock Mountains. The
first-named seldom exceed 1500 ft. in height, but the Shickshocks rise
above 3000 ft. The province of New Brunswick exhibits approximately
parallel but subordinate ridges, with wide intervening areas of nearly
flat Silurian and Carboniferous rocks. The peninsula of Nova Scotia,
connected by a narrow neck with New Brunswick, is formed by still
another and more definite system of parallel ridges, deeply fretted on
all sides by bays and harbours. A series of quartzites and slates
referred to the Cambrian, and holding numerous and important veins of
auriferous quartz, characterize its Atlantic or south-eastern side,
while valuable coal-fields occur in Cape Breton and on parts of its
shores on the Gulf of St Lawrence. In New Brunswick the Carboniferous
rocks occupy a large area, but the coal seams so far developed are thin
and unimportant. Metalliferous ores of various kinds occur both in Nova
Scotia and in this province, but with the exception of the gold already
mentioned, have not yet become the objects of important industries.
Copper and asbestos are the principal mineral products of that part of
Quebec included in the region now under description, although many
other minerals are known and already worked to some extent. Extensive
tracts of good arable land exist in many parts of the Acadian region.
Its surface was originally almost entirely wooded, and the products of
the forest continue to hold a prominent place. Prince Edward Island, the
smallest province of Canada, is low and undulating, based on
Permo-Carboniferous and Triassic rocks affording a red and very fertile
soil, much of which is under cultivation.

_The St Lawrence Plain._--As the St Lawrence invited the earliest
settlers to Canada and gave the easiest communication with the Old
World, it is not surprising to find the wealthiest and most populous
part of the country on its shores and near the Great Lakes which it
le