AND THE SALT DEPOSIT ON PETITE ANSE ISLAND. 



PORT HUDSON. 



The entire exposure of the strata at Port Hudson, from Sandy Creek ahove the 

 town to Fontania Landing, one and a half miles below, is about three miles long, 

 running nearly north and south. In its southern half, its base is washed by the 

 river, which is continually encroaching upon the land ; as observed by Bartram, 

 Carpenter, and Lyell, and proved by the remains of houses and graveyards, that 

 lie scattered on the face of the bluff. The northern half is now nearly a mile inland, 

 a sandbar, already covered w ith a luxuriant growth of willows, having changed the 

 course of the river, and covered the base of the cliff. 



The subjoined profiles, of which the correspondence was ascertained by actual 

 tracing of the stratification lines, embody most of the features and materials 

 observed. The strata are disposed horizontally or basin fashion, and vary a good 

 deal in thickness. The two sections are about a mile apart. 



At the stage of extreme low water' prevailing at the time, the tops of the upper- 

 most of the stumps of stratum No. 1 were from ten to twelve feet above water at 

 the highest point, serving as convenient seats for fishermen. These stumps evidently 

 represent three or fotir successive generations, growing at higher levels as the surface 

 of the swamp was raised by deposition. The greater number, however, are very 

 near low water level. The roots are buried in a somewhat sandy, yet very tenacious, 



' Low-water level at Port Hudson is about three feet above mean Gulf level. 



