336' R. W, Wells on Priaries, 



miles ; all the old French inhabitants will tell you, that the 

 prairies formerly came immediately up to those places. Now 

 the surrounding country for several miles is covered with a 

 growth of trees of four or five inches diameter, near the 

 towns where the burning first ceased, and gradually diminishing 

 in size as you recede, until you at length gain the open prairies. 

 So the barrens in Kentucky ; many of the first settlers of that 

 state distinctly recollect when many of those barrens were 

 clear prairies, now partially covered with small trees. It is 

 deemed unnecessary to offer more proofs, or additional argu- 

 ments, in support of the opinion that the prairie? were occa- 

 sioned by Jire, and not by water. Indeed one glance at the 

 maps of those extensive prairie countries, surveyed by order 

 of government, where the prairies and woodland are distin- 

 guished and correctly delineated, should carry conviction. 

 The timber will be there observed to skirt the rivers ; in the 

 country near their sources a few solitary trees are seen, close 

 on the banks, secure from the fires, and increasing in numbers 

 as the rivers increase in size, and the low grounds become 

 more extensive. 



The view given of the prairies by Mr. A. is correct ; but 

 was certainly painted in the winter season-^they are, at that 

 season, bleak and uncomfortable both to the feehngs and 

 sight ; but a full return is made to both when the spring 

 opens. The prairies (particularly to the west) are then 

 covered with the richest verdure, interspersed with an 

 imtnense variety of wild flowers, that send forth the most 

 grateful odours. Ascend one of the small hills, and you have 

 a prospect as delightful as it is possible for the imagination to 

 conceive. Far as the eye can carry you, a delightful country 

 extends, through which numerous streams wind their serpen- 

 tine courses, with groves and clumps of trees at intervals upon 

 their banks. On one hand, at an immense distance, the small 

 hills and groves are seen rising above the blue horizon ; on 

 the other, the view is pleasantly terminated by the wood on 

 the low grounds skirting the river to which the smaller streams 

 are tributary — while herds of buffalo, elk, deer, and other 

 animals, are frequently seen slowly travelling to and from the 



