iilO EXPEDITION TO THE 



pecially of the principal streams, are exceedingly fertile, 

 and the hills, though less productive, afford the means of 

 subsistence in abundance. The soil of both is almost uni- 

 formly an argillaceous loam ; that of the former is deep, 

 and contains much lime and vegetable mould, that of the 

 latter is less prolific, though deeper than is usually to be 

 met with in hilly regions, and much more easily cultivated, 

 owing to its being light and free from stone. 



North-westwardly of the limit above-mentioned, the 

 country wears a very different aspect, palpably manifest 

 in travelling in the direction of the assumed line. The 

 river vallies are broader and more regularly defined, being 

 separated from the high lands by parallel ranges of bluffs 

 or mural banks. No hills of any considerable height or 

 magnitude, if we except numerous swells, some of which 

 are broad and extensive, are here to be seen. Extensive 

 tracts of flat country, with scarcely an undulation upon 

 their surface are presented ; also many large swamps and 

 morasses, some of which are deep and miry. The countrj'- 

 on the Sandusky and St. Mary's rivers, as also upon many 

 other streams in this quarter, abounds in blemishes of the 

 nature last mentioned, for which, remedies no doubt will 

 be provided, as soon as the population and wealth of the 

 country are sufficiently advanced to admit of the various 

 improvements that are practicable. 



In the northerly parts of Illinois and Indiana, as also in 

 tlie west corner of the state of Ohio, are extensive cham- 

 paigns, flat and marshy, of a soil apparently very rich, but 

 too wet for cultivation. A large proportion of the flat 

 lands of Ohio and Indiana, however, is heavily wooded, 

 and is for the most part denominated the Beech lands, 

 the red beech being the prevailing growth upon it. The 

 soil of these lands is thin, but remarkably black, rest- 



