1836, 537, 838] sea-coast marshes. 375 



whch cover its surface to the depth of twelve to eighteen inches so that in 

 taking a specimen at that depth, we obtain little else than the "grass roots", 

 with a little muck adhering to them. 



836. The Round-rush Marsh seems to differ from the other mainly in con- 

 taining a large amount of sand, which renders the soil quite firm and safe 

 to walk on. Whenever any considerable amount of sand is introduced into the 

 Cutting-rush Marsh, the sedge-grass disappears, and the Round-rush takes 

 possession of the ground. Of this I have seen numerous examples, but perhaps 

 the most striking in the case of a small marsh at Mr. Alfred Lewis' residence, 

 West Pascagoula. In order to test the agricultural value of the marsh soil, Mr. 

 Lewis hail a portion of a " Jonc coupant "'-marsh thrown up, so as to mingle the 

 muck with the underlying sandy soil. The experiment, as will be seen here- 

 after, was unsuccessful for the time being ; but although the soil was left free 

 to itself, no more of the Cutting-rush has since made its appearance ; while the 

 Round-rush is now rapidly taking possession of the spot. It appears, therefore, 

 that by the intermixture of sand or sandy soil with the fluid muck, we can 

 convert one kind of marsh into the other. 



In the large River mars lies, the two kinds of soil alternate in patches ; and 

 there occurs, besides, a third kind, for the reclamation of wdiich there can be 

 little hope. It consists of sand, nearly white, impregnated with sea-salt, and 

 bears a growth of Samphire (Salicornia) and similar plants. Such soils are 

 notoriously hopeless, in an agricultural point of view. 



837. Both kinds of soil, when freshly stirred up with the spade, 

 emit a powerful and very offensive odor ; chiefly of sulphuret of 

 ammonium, with an admixture of other odors resulting from the 

 decay of vegetable matter, which nowise improve the quality of the 

 scent. A silver coin, immersed in the marsh, is blackened by the 

 sulphur in the course of a few minutes. 



The great prevalence of these marshes, and the profusion in which this noxious 

 mixture is evolved wherever the soil is stirred, render it a matter of suprise to 

 the visitor, that the health of the coast region is generally excellent. We can 

 scarcely believe, that residences situated in the very edge of the great Pearl 

 River Marsh, surrounded by it on three sides, and overrun, at the proper season, 

 with legions of mosquitoes of all colors and sizes, should, nevertheless, be as 

 healthy, or even healthier, than the much praised " Piny hills " of upper Mis- 

 sissippi ; yet such is indisputably the case. It has been suggested that the daily 

 flow of salt water over these marshy plains is the cause of the phenomenon 

 just referred to ; and this explanation will suit well enough in the portions 

 contiguous to the shore. But at the mouths of rivers, the tidewater which 

 overflows the marsh, during a large part of the year, is scarcely brackish, and 

 the upper portions, which are equally healthy, receive only the back water of 

 the river itself. While, therefore, it is quite likely that the rise and fall of the 

 tides is in causal connection with the healthiness of the marshes, the effect can 

 hardly be ascribed to the antiseptic properties of the salt water ; rather, perhaps, 

 to the daily ablutions of the surface which are performed by the ebb and flow 

 of the water. 



838. Composition, and Reclamation of Marsh Soils. — But two 

 analyses of Marsh Soils have as yet been completed ; besides which, 

 a partial analysis of Marsh Muck has been made. The specimens 

 analyzed were selected with reference to obtaining fair samples of 

 the two extremes of soil occurring in the marshes, viz : 1st. The 

 sandy soil of the smaller marshes, and of those portions of the large 

 river marshes which lie at a distance from the main channel ; and 

 2d. the heavier soil which is generally found near to the main 

 channel of the larcrer water courses. 



