Notice of the Malleable Iron of Louisiane. 223 
the ridge between the waters of the Red River and the 
Rio Bravo.”* — aye : 
The readers of this Journal will recollect some “ Noti- 
ces of the Geology, &c. of the regions around the Missis- 
sippi and its confluent waters,” by L. Bringier, Esq. of 
Louisiana, who travelled in this region in 1812. ais 
Mr. Schoolcraft, who states that the large mass was 
found about “one hundred miles above Natchitoches,”{ 
must have been misinformed concerning the distance. — 
The following hints given by Mr. Wm. Darby, (to whose 
travels the public are indebted for much important infor- 
mation concerning the western part of our country,) are 
probably as definite as can at present be obtained. “If 
with one of Mr. Melish’s Maps of the United States in 
your hand, you run your eye up Red River, to the Paw- 
nee village, you will perceive a small creek entering Red 
River, a short distance below the village. This creek 1s 
called by the French hunters and traders Bayon Bois d’ 
Arc. Jt was at its mouth that the transporting party 
reached Red River with their prize. Continue your 
glance upon the map, a little south of west, to the head 
waters of the river Brassos a Dios, and you will find the 
words Haywa Wandering. Through the latter you. will 
perceive a small creek represented flowing south into the 
Brassos. From comparing the account of their journey 
from Red River and of their return to that stream, | am 
induced to believe that the latter creek flows from or near 
the place where the mass of iron was found. ‘The place 
* Letter from Judge Johnson to Prof. Silliman, dated Charleston, S.C. 
August 18th, 1821. 
+ This Journal, vol. iii, p. 15. Mr. Bringier appears to have written 
concerning this metal from personal observation. In a prairie, ‘on the 
head of ‘he river Trinity,” says Mr. B. “longitude 95° 10’, and latitude 
32° 7’, are, or were, several blocks of native iron from one thousand to 
seven or eight thousand pounds weight.” 
% It is observable that there is a kind of varnish that covers them all over. 
and prevents their oxidation. I must rest on the suspicion that they pro- 
ceed from meteoric bodies; and this is countenanced by the manner in 
which they are scattered about over an extent of about seven or ten miles, 
without any sign of iron ore or other minerals in the region.”’ 
¢ View of the Mines, Minerals, &c. of the Western section of the Unite d 
States. p.218. 
