SHAD- IN THE TEIBUTARIES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. 395 



soft limestoue, crossing tlie ri\^er at au augle of about thirty degrese 

 with its direction. I found no difficulty in ascending these rapids at all 

 times in the boats used upon the survey. On the banks of the river, 

 from Albany down, are numerous large springs — some are 25 to 50 feet 

 in depth. They actually swarm with fish — black bass, rock fish, perch, 

 bream, &c. The water being perfectly transparent, every movement of 

 the fish, and their species, are easily distinguished. All these springs 

 have open outlets into Flint, and are just a little above the low- water 

 surface of the river. To give you an idea of the large spring near 

 Albany, it was discharging a volume of water 60 feet wide, 4 feet deep, 

 mean velocity about 3^ feet per second. There are also numerous sub- 

 terraneous streams emptying into the Flint. 



I do not know to what cause to attribute the absence of the shad. 

 Every i)ortion of the river seems favorable for their propagation, and its 

 large springs aud tributaries safe depositories for their spawn. The 

 waters of its tributaries, the Oookewahee, Kiokee, Nochway, and Spring 

 Creek, are clear and deep, but highly impregnated with lime, so much so 

 as to make the water unfit for use, but the impurities become completely 

 neutralized by mixing with the Flint. 



Very truly, your obediept servant, 



HOLMES A. PATTISOK 



