relating to the Vale of the Mississippi. 61 
wrote within its bounds, and that it was formed by a process, incal- 
culably slower than that which formed the Delta, what would he have 
said? After a fire-side geological survey of the globe, Dr. Hutton 
concluded : “ We find no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an 
end.” It is due to the memory of Mr. Dunbar, thus publicly to 
assert, that his remarks upon the Mississippi and its delta, are of ees 
highest excellence and authority. 
Respecting the delta, Mr. Dunbar farther remarks that “ upon all 
lands long subject to culture, and defended from the inundation 
though near the margin, the appearance is almost lost.” This is a 
mistake, as there can be no sensible diminution of sand; the in- 
firmness and adhesiveness of all soils upon long culture, isin 
consequence of the farther decomposition and consequent loss ‘of 
vegetable matter. 
The second clay stratum of Natchez basin, has long since lost all © 
appearances of vegetable matter ; it has been resolved, and all the 
volatile and Sistilining properties carried off by the passage of water 
through it, leaving nothing behind, but a part of eds iron Moped ain 
yielded by decomposition. A Ra, 
Not to mention ‘absurdities of a bidloet oat it vies an widbeblicy to 
talk of the effects of the water ~_ = Mississippi “ banishing disor= 
ders common to » cilier countries.” This delusion is found in all 
civilized countries. “Mineral waters have often been supposed to 
effect that which is due to change of situations producing a new train 
of ‘associations, by the novelty.of the scene, and the change of air, 
and thus often a very powerful influence is exerted upon chronie 
diseases. More benefit is derived from these causes than from the 
waters, as it rarely occurs that their qualities are suited to the par- 
ps nature and state at the ee 
a river almost without barriers ; 
it Elinor be controlled by its own banks or by the feeble ramparts 
erected by man; occasionally, it rolls through a breadth of thirty 
miles; roves with restless activity from side to side; subverts en- 
tire forests, and at its pleasure obliterates the soils which it had de- 
—— in former ages. 
LAKES ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI. 
- This river has no lakes at its mouth, but it is abundantly supplied 
with them on each side, throughout i its whole extent. ‘These numer= 
ous lakes are formed by bends of the river, presenting not unfreques® 
