\ ALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 47 



appears continually to have encroached towards the. 

 east; and indeed all the larger rivers, except the 

 Ohio, come in from the west, and possess currents 

 considerably more rapid than that of the Ohio.* 



From a point, a few miles below Baton-rouge, 

 where the primitive soil terminates, we are to trace 

 the commencement of the proper delta, or modern al- 

 luvial formation of the Mississippi. From hence the 

 river presents no more sinuous meanders; but, with- 

 out any additional breadth, proceeds towards the 

 ocean in fiexuous lines or stretches, disembogues 

 much of its waters by receding channels or bayous, 

 and presents along its banks; which are of an uni- 

 form and depressed elevation, a conformity of surface- 

 incompatible with the caprice of any formation of in- 

 dependent origin. For several hundreds of miles in 

 succession, to the city of New Orleans, no settlements 

 are practicable beyond the border of the river; the 

 agricultural plots, all defended in front from inunda- 

 tion, by a levee or continued line of embankment, are 

 constantly averaged at a depth of 45 arpens or acres, 

 beyond which universally commences an undrainable 

 swamp. The fertility of these lands is no where ex- 

 ceeded, and without any kind of tillage, promise a 

 perpetual harvest, and never-failing source of wealth 

 to the planter. 



* According to the observations of Major Long, the descent 

 of the Ohio is 8 inches per mile, that of the Mississippi 12. 

 that of the Missouri and Arkansa 16, and of the river Platte. 

 18 inches. 



