Prairies of Alabama. 97 



strong marks that long before the earthquakes of 1811-12, its course 

 had been altered by some more powerful convulsion of nature ; for 

 its mighty current, runs strongly against the seven bluffs below 

 its junction with the Ohio, (except at St. Francisville,) seeming still 

 to contend for its ancient channel. The prairies themselves, afford 

 strong proof of this position ; for, in many places, they present the 

 appearance of having been lifted up, and they are, in fact, considera- 

 bly higher than the surrounding country. Much of the country of 

 which I am speaking, besides the prairies, has that peculiar undula- 

 ting appearance which corresponds with the expansive heavings of 

 earthquakes. 



To this theory one objection, at least, may be raised. Why is h 

 that aquatic remains are not found between the prairies and the 

 ocean? It may be replied that the marine exuviae in the low country 

 have long since, been decomposed, while the shells in the prairies have 

 remained, in some instances, entire, for the want of suitable agents 

 to act upon them; indeed the prairies themselves illustrate this obser- 

 vation, for in all places where vegetable matter in considerable quanti- 

 ties has been brought to act, the shells are rapidly decomposing, or 

 have nearly passed through this process, and the vegetables have in con- 

 sequence attained a luxuriant growth. While on the other hand, in 

 situations where the shells are found in nearly their original state, it is 

 readily perceived that the mass of actually decomposing materials (ex- 

 cept a partial influence of air and water) is in small proportion to 

 the whole accumulation. 



The prairies present a more lovely and fascinating prospect in the 

 spring and summer, than the liveliest imagination can picture. They 

 are then clothed in the richest livery of those seasons 



N Plains immense, and interminable meads, 



Lie stretch'd before — where the wandering eye, 



Unfix'd,is in verdant ocean lost. 



Another flora there, of bolder hues, 



And richer sweets, beyond our garden's pride, 



Plays o'er the fields, and showers with sudden hand 



Exuberant spring. 



99 



Herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, are seen in the distance, crop- 

 ping the fresh grass, or wandering at pleasure over the flowery re- 

 gion. Yet the absence of large trees, is amply repaid, by the rieh 

 garniture of grass, flowers and shrubbery. The odors of the wild 

 rose, hawthorn, &,c. load the summer's breeze with the most delicious 

 perfumes. During the hottest and most sultry weather, when in oth- 



Vol. XXVL— No. I; J 3 



