336 OR. W. Wells on Praprics. a 
miles; all the old French inhabitants will tell you, that the 
prairies formerly came immediately up to those places. Now 
the surrounding country for several miles is covered with a 
growth of trees of four or five inches diameter, near the 
towns where the burning first ceased, and gradually diminishing 
in size as you recede, until you at length gain the open prairies. . 
So the barrens in Kentucky; many of the first settlers of that 
ments, in support of the opinion that the prairies were occa- 
sioned by fire, and not by wouter. Indeed one glance at the 
maps of those extensive prairie countries, surveyed by order 
of government, where the prairies and woodland are distin- 
guished and correctly delineated, should carry conviction. 
The timber will be there observed to skirt the rivers; in the 
country near their sources a few solitary trees are seen, close 
on the banks, secure from the fires, and increasing in numbers 
as the rivers increase in size, and the low grounds become 
more extensive. . 
The view given of the prairies by Mr. A. is correct: but 
was certainly painted in the winter season—they are, at that 
season, bleak and uncomfortable both to the feelings and 
sight; but a full return is made to both. when the spring 
opens. The prairies (particularly to west) are then 
covered with the richest verdure, interspersed with an 
immense variety of wild flowers, that send forth the most 
grateful odors. Ascend one of the small hills, and you have 
a prospect as delightful as it is possible for the imagination to 
conceive. Far as the eye can carry you, a delightful country 
extends, through which numerous streams wind their serpe? 
tine courses, with groves and clumps of trees at intervals upon 
their banks. On one hand, at an immense distance, the small 
hills and groves are seen rising above the blue horizon; 0? 
the other, the view is pleasantly terminated by the wood on 
the low grounds skirting the river to which the smaller streams 
are tributary—while herds of buffalo, elk, deer, and other 
animals, are frequently seen slowly travelling to and from the 
