a 



cumulation of sand by the trade icinds, winch is driven 

 to the shore by the perpetual motion of the waves in 

 that direction." 



But why he should have resorted to two causes for 

 the formation of these alluvial districts, I am unable to 

 determine ; but such is the case ; for he observes, 



" Nothing: is more certain than that the Delta has 



^ 



risen out of the sea, or rather, that it has been formed 

 by alluvious substances, precipitated by the waters 

 from the upper regions."* 



From the latter of these two opinions, we might 

 readily conclude what were his sentiments on that 

 subject ; but we are soon left in doubt again, by the 

 following passage : (f All the country about the gulf is 

 evidently alluvial." This is doubtless the case ; but 

 how was it produced ? This we are left to conclude 

 from the following : " At what time it was redeemed 

 from the sea, no one can conjecture ; but as some of 

 the oldest inhabitants can remember when the sands 

 were less dry, much oftener flooded, and to a much 

 greater extent and height than at present, perhaps its 

 redemption is much nearer to our time than many 

 are willing to admit." (Page 183.) 



The word " redeemed" in the above sentence, 

 seems to convey but an indefinite idea on the subject ; 

 for it has but a very superficial relation with alluvial for- 

 mations. It seems to convey the idea that the alluvial 

 district, so called, was once lost, perhaps by inroads 



* Sketches of Louisiana, page 158 9. 



