Humphreys and Abbot's Report on the Mississippi River. 283 
Obion basin—Between the Ohio river and the head of the Yazoo 
basin lies an extended tract of country, which, for want of a better name, 
has been designated the Obion basin. It is drained by four nearly par- 
allel rivers: the Obion, the Forked-deer, the Hatchee, and the Wolf; 
the Hatchee alone being, properly speaking, a navigable stream. The 
area of the entire region is about 10,250 square miles. . 
This region is in the main an upland, hilly country, but, as shown on 
plate II, the Obion and Forked-deer rivers flow through somewhat ex- 
tensive swamps near their mouths. It is generally believed that the 
great earthquake in 1811, which depressed so much country on the op- 
posite bank, materially increased the area of these swamps. 
The Hatchee river, before certain railroads were built, was animport- 
a a 
M is navigable to Bolivar—some 150 miles—from four to six months in 
any danger of inundation. Its area is about 7260 square miles.” 
e figures which illustrate the character of the main river 
and also of the tributaries described in the present article, are 
Summed up in the following tables, which will be of permanent 
value to all who are interested in the study of the great Missis- 
Sippi valley. In conclusion, we desire to express our admira- 
ion of the thorough and comprehensive manner in which the 
Investigations of Messrs. Humphreys and Abbot have been con- 
ducted. The work reflects the highest honor upon the fidelity, 
Patience and science of the distinguished authors. 
