366 



to which we can look for the probable cause of the for- 

 mation, and extension of an alluvial region so vast, and 

 so very far above the highest tides of the sea, or the 

 overflowings or inundations of any river. 



On the strength of this supposition, I may venture to 

 explain the manner in which, during the same revolu- 

 tion, the alluvion was urged forward into the gulf or 

 bay of Mexico, thereby forming the extensive segment 

 of a circle, lying between the meridian of Cat Island, 

 and Grand Pass into Vermillion bay, as laid down in 

 Mr. Darby's map, which, it is believed, is the most ac- 

 curate of any before published. 



It may be presumed, on an examination of the Mis- 

 sissippi river, and its numerous tributary streams, that 

 whether the general deluge was occasioned by an in- 

 cessant fall of rain for forty days, and forty nights, or 

 from some other cause, the Mississippi river, from th3 

 commencement, must have been pre-eminently conspi- 

 cuous in its operations, in forming the alluvial region 

 on its borders, and at its confluence with the bay of 

 Mexico, at least within the line of coast already de- 

 fined. Not only so, but from the increasing strength 

 of its current, and the amazing quantity of alluvion, 

 suspended in, and borne away by its waters, before 

 the continent, generally, was overrun by currents, its 

 alluvial deposites, during this period, must have been 

 in advance of the adjacent coast. If these facts be ad- 

 mitted as being possible, or probable, what may we not 

 conclude, if the actual source of the current was that 

 of the North Pole ? In this case, as I have already 



