NOTICES IN NATURAL HISTORY. 271 



attack. A rude coffin was prepared by a person on board, 

 and the remains of the little innocent were interred at Smith- 

 land, on the mouth of Cumberland river, Kentucky. On the 

 third day of the voyage, one of the firemen, a man of colour, 

 became unwell, and I observed him rolling about near the fur 

 nace, and suffering much, unheeded by those around him. At 

 last the attention of the captain was called to him, and the 

 services of a medical gentleman, who was a cabin passenger, 

 were requested. He pronounced it a bad case of cholera, 

 and the poor fellow was carried on shore soon afterwards in 

 the agonies of death. The consternation on board was great, 

 and many of the passengers deserted the vessel. 



Towards the mouth of the Ohio, vast numbers of geese were 

 seen sitting on the extensive sand bars. The deck passengers 

 often fired rifles at geese and other birds without effect. Two 

 or three bald-headed eagles were seen quite nec ir the vessel, 

 and on Diamond Island five or six wild turkeys were observed 

 running from the side of the river into the forest, and was the 

 only time this bird was seen in a live state by me. 



The vessels on the waters in the valley of Mississippi burn 

 wood, and supplies are found everywhere on the banks of the 

 rivers, which are speedily conveyed on board, with the assist 

 ance of the deck passengers, who are bound to aid in the 

 operation. During the time of taking in wood, I almost uni 

 versally examined vegetation on the banks, and obtained 

 many new seeds by so doing. I also had an opportunity of 

 conversing with the inhabitants, who, in such situations, de 

 pend chiefly on this trade for the means of subsisting. ~ I was 

 surprised at the vessels not using coal, which is very abundant 

 in many places on the banks, and could be easily transported 

 to places where it is not. I am satisfied coal would be found 

 cheaper than wood, and if depots were formed, and provided 

 with a crane to put the coal on board, the saving of time 

 would be considerable in course of the voyage. None of the 

 furnaces are, however, at present constructed for burning 

 coal, and a considerable time is likely to elapse before it gets 

 a fair trial. 



In coming up the Ohio, I observed a great number of boats, 

 or rather boxes or arks, of various sizes and shapes, floating 



