274 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Objects can be clearly seen in It througli tlie water at the greatest depths. Every 

 pebble, rock, flshorshell — even the minutest body which occupies the bottom of the stream 

 — Is seen with the most perfect distinctness; and the canoe, when looking under It, seemed 

 from the remarkable transparency of tlie water to be suspended In the air. The Indians, 

 observing this peculiarity, called the river "Unica," which Is the transitive form of 

 "white." The French of Louisiana merely translated this term to "la riviere au Tilanc." 

 It Is, In fact, composed of tributaries which gush up In large crystal springs out of the 

 Ozark range of mountains, and It does not receive a discolored tributary In all Its upper 

 course. The scenery of Its shores Is also peculiar. Most frequently the limestone, which 

 has been subjected to the destructive power of the elements. Is worn Into pinnacles of 

 curious spiral shapes. Where the river washes the base of these formations, a high and 

 precipitous wall of rock casts Its shadow over the waters. On the shores opposite to such 

 precipices there Is Invariably a rlcli, alluvial plain, covered by a vigorous forest of trees, 

 clothed In all the graceful luxuriance of a summer foliage. 



He describes the country as abounding in bear, deer, buffalo, elli:, 

 beaver, raccoon and other animals, and notes the abundance of iron 

 ore, lead, zinc, manganese, marble, flint, agate, jasper, hornstone and 

 rock crystal, and says that caves with niter are common. Hearing 

 from some White river settlers of lead mines on the James, he per- 

 suaded these hunters to pilot him to that region. His journal, kept 

 during this trip, is marked by constant descriptions of features of the 

 country which would make famous any region more accessible than 

 many parts of Southwest Missouri today. The caves and springs of 

 marvelous size, the waters of wonderful purity, the canons and gorges 

 of the White and James rivers, their turreted and castellated bluffs, 

 the natural bridges and the glens filled with wild and beautiful vegeta- 

 tion, may be found in Schoolcraft's journal with all the exactness and 

 beauty that any more modern writer could command; and the traveler 

 of the present time, in making the more easy journey through the same 

 part of our state, will wonder why its beauties are not better known, 

 and its adaptability for pleasure and profit more practically recognized. 

 Permit me to quote one more description from the now very rare record 

 of these travels, and when this hour is over, you may be interested in 

 looking at a recent photograph of the cave so long ago discovered : 



Friday, January 1, 1819.— On leaving Flndlay's fork, we followed up a small valley, 

 which, In a short distance, and after a few windings, terminated suddenly In a cave opening 

 on a hill side, the whole width of the valley, ^vlth a stream running from Its mouth. The 

 first appearance of this stupendous cavern struck us with some astonishment, succeeded 

 by a curiosity to explore its hidden recesses. Its width across at the mouth could not be 

 estimated at less tlian 200 feet, with a height of about 90 or 100 feet at the highest point, 

 descending each way, and forming, when viewed In front, a semi-circle, Indented alter- 

 nately wlth'projectlng and retreating rocks. It keeps this size for several hundred feet, 

 when a gradual diminution takes place, which continues until it is not more than 10 feet 

 across, where our progress was stopped Ijy the stream of water, which occupies the whole 

 width of the passage, and the water, being dammed up below by the stalactltic Incrusta- 

 tion deposited from it, forms a small lake in the bottom of the cave. Large masses of 

 stalagmite, and several columns of stalactite pendant from the roof are also found; but 

 the percolation of water, to whose agency the formation of these substances Is generally 

 referred, has entirely ceased. 



