-^2 Expedition to the 



Grape vines, several scandent species of smilax and cissus, 

 and an undescribed vine, allied to menispermum, are so in- 

 ternaixed with the sturdy undergrowth as to render the woods 

 almost impassable. Paths have been opened by the people 

 of the garrison, where they have been found necessary, by 

 cutting away the canes and small trees, but they may be said 

 to resemble subtenanean passages, to which the rays of the 

 sun never penetrate. We found the air in these, and indeed 

 in every part of the heavy forests, stagnant, and so loaded 

 with the effluvia of decaying vegetable substances, as to be 

 immediately oppressive to the lungs. After spending an hour 

 or two in an atmosphere of this kind, we found ourselves 

 perceptibly affected with languor and dizziness. 



The gardens at Fort Smith afforded green corn, melons, 

 sweet potatoes, and other esculent vegetables, which to us 

 had, for a long time, been untasted luxuries. It is probable 

 we did not exercise sufficient caution, in recommencing the 

 use of these articles, as we soon found our health beginning 

 to become impaired. We had been a long time confined to a 

 meat diet, without bread or condiments of any kind, and were 

 not surprised to find ourselves affected by so great and so 

 sudden a change. It may be worth while to remark that we 

 had been so long unaccustomed to the use of salt that the 

 sweat of our faces had lost all perceptible saltness, and the 

 ordinary dishes which were brought to our mess table at the 

 fort appeared unpalatable, on account of being too highly 

 seasoned. 



In a region of extensive river alluvion supporting, like 

 that of the Arkansa,boundless forests, impervious to the winds 

 and the rays of the sun, it is not surprising that a state of 

 the atmosphere unfavorable to health should exist. Inter- 

 mitting, remitting, and continued billious fevers prevail dur- 

 ing the summer and autumn j and in many instances termi- 

 nate fatally. Among recent settlers the want of the most 

 common comforts, of the advice and attendance of skilful 



