225 EXPEDITION TO TME 



tween several British trading establishments located on its 

 waters, and one of their principal depots situated at the 

 mouth of the river. 



The immediate valley of Red river is not bounded by 

 parallel ranges of bluffs or banks like that of the St. Peter 

 and other tributaries of the Mississippi, but expands to a 

 great width, terminated on the west by highlands connect- 

 ed with the Coteau des Prairies, and on the east by the 

 ridges and swamps in which the waters of the Mississippi, 

 St. Lawrence, and Nelson's rivers find a common origin. A 

 broad expanse of verdant prairie, spreading beyond the ut- 

 most extent of vision, is here presented to the view. If we 

 except the margin of the river and those of its tributary 

 streams, which are fringed with trees and shrubbery, there 

 is very little to interrupt the simplicity and uniformity of 

 the scenery ; scarcely is there an undulation to variegate 

 the prospect, save what is afforded by an optical illusion 

 that makes the traveller fancy himself in the centre of a 

 basin, and surrounded by an amphitheatre of rising ground 

 at no great distance, which constantly eludes his approach. 



The soil is generally thin, of a light complexion, and 

 argillaceous structure. The dwarfish appearance of the 

 herbage which it supports, especially on the upper portion 

 of the valley, indicates either a want of fecundity or the 

 admixture of salts or other ingredients not congenial 

 to vegetation. In many places, however, the soil ap- 

 pears rich, supporting a dense and luxuriant growth of 

 grass, weeds, &c. As we descend along the river, the in- 

 dications of fertility multiply, the soil becomes deeper and 

 the vegetation more thrifty, woodlands become more fre- 

 quent, and the trees attain a larger size. 



The flatness of surface that almost uniformly prevails 

 throughout the valley of Red river, may be regarded as a 

 defect in its natural character that cannot easily be remedied. 



