356 



in proportion as its current was checked by the waters 

 in the bay of Mexico. 



2dly. It may be alleged that the same or similar 

 operations have been carried on upon the whole course 

 of the Atchafalaya river; or that, without confining 

 our view to either of those rivers, the Mississippi 

 river by its annual inundations, which overflow all 

 that part of the country, has in the course of time, 

 formed this district of alluvial lands that now projects 

 into the bay of Mexico so far beyond the general line 

 of sea coast. 



In reply to the first supposition, (viz.) that the Mis- 

 sissippi during the period of its annual inundations, 

 may have assumed the channel of the river Lafourche, 

 if the fact be even admitted, it seems highly impro- 

 bable that the alluvial depositions on the borders of 

 the river Lafourche, and at its mouth, should be so 

 very abundant, during the period of its inundation, as 

 almost to keep pace with that of the Mississippi, at, 

 and near its present influx, and where these operations 

 are unremitting for nearly or quite three fourths of the 

 year. Nay, the circumstance seems so unlikely, and 

 so void of support, that we ought to hesitate to admit 

 it, even if there were no other source, or means left, 

 by which to explain the cause of this phenomenon. 



Bdly. The same remarks will apply with equal 

 force to that of the river Atchafalaya. Moreover we 

 may add, if it be admitted that any portion of the 

 Mississippi, flows through the channel of this river 

 during the annual inundation, and by which the allu- 



