UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 127 



In the third division, which extends above 

 800 miles, the river increases vastly in breadth ; 

 flows through lime-stone rocks, and receives 

 several tributary rivers, by some of which, boats 

 may communicate, with short interruptions, 

 between the Gulfs of St. Lawrence and 

 Mexico. 



Lastly begins the extensive tract of land, 

 known by the name of the Great Swamp, or, as 

 it is sometimes called, the Dismal Swamp. 

 Scarcely a tree or bush is to be seen for 300 

 miles, except the deciduous cypress, which gives 

 a peculiar and gloomy aspect to this unhealthy 

 region ; and, to add to its horrors, it is subject 

 to frequent earthquakes. Lower down, the 

 banks of the river consist of clay, sand, and 

 gravel; almost every flood undermines some 

 parts of them, which fall in, and carry away 

 whole fields and plantations into the stream. 

 From a place called Baton Rouge, which is 

 about 140 miles above New Orleans, to 

 the sea, they are scarcely elevated above the 

 level of the river, and would be overflowed 

 during the floods, but for artificial embank- 

 ments, called levees, by which the long narrow 

 line of plantations is defended. All beyond 

 these embankments, is one vast level, swampy 

 surface, covered with reeds and rushes, and 

 totally destitute of trees. The inundations are 



