38 



As a proof of this, where there is an appearance of 

 made ground, there is not the shadow of a shrub on 

 its surface. Where there are indications of the wa- 

 ter having tresspassed on the ancient limits of the 

 shores, (which is mostly in consequence of severe and 

 long continued storms or gales of wind,} the banks, 

 which are high above the water and often covered with 

 aged oaks, whose boughs have hung leafless over its 

 surface for at least a hundred winters, are broken and 

 washed down by the force of the surf, and those trees 

 are laid prostrate on the beach. 



The Mississippi river is perhaps, an exception in 

 this case ; having, no doubt, occasioned a considerable 

 extent of alluvial formation at, and near, its influx into 

 the gulf of Mexico ; but it appers by no means diffi- 

 cult to explain the cause of this difference. 



This river, and its tributary streams, not only flow 

 through an almost immeasurable extent of superficies, 

 and the water thereby collected, causing such a pres- 

 sure as to bear every thing before it, but its current is 

 propelled with such rapidity, that the tide, which in 

 this latitude flows but little,* has not the power to 



* Mr. Stoddard says fi The tides have but little effect on the 

 water at New-Orleans ; they sometimes cause it to swell, but never 

 to slacken its current." Sketches of Louisiana, page 164. 



This conclusion must appear obvious to every one, who may feel 

 disposed to consider the influence of the tides, in this great bay, 

 the average height of which scarcely exceeds that of eighteen 

 inches. Mr. Stoddard says "The difference between the highest 

 and lowest stages of water in the Balize is about three feet." Ibid. 



