Rocky Mountains. 343 



marshes, once, no doubt, parts of the bed of the Missis- 

 ippi, or of some of its tributaries that have their courses 

 through the bottom. Notwithstanding the general depres- 

 sion of this bottoiTi, it contains many ^insulated tracts of 

 considerable extent, elevated above the range of the highest 

 floods. The bottom, almost throughout its whole extent, sup- 

 ports a dense and heavy growth of timber of an excellent 

 quality, together with a luxuriant undergrowth of cane brake, 

 vines, &c. 



It may not be improper to remark in this place, that great 

 havoc is annually made amongst the timber of this tract, by 

 lumber and fuel-mongers, who furnish the New Orleans mar- 

 ket with large supplies of these articles, particularly of the 

 former. 



The bottom is bounded on the west by a chain of heights 

 corresponding to the river bluffs on other parts of the Mis- 

 sissippi, but not arranged in so regular a manner. These 

 are the commencement of a part of the hilly country hereaf- 

 ter to be considered. The most considerable rivers that flow 

 through the bottom, and pour their tribute into the Missis- 

 sippi, are the St. Francis, the Big Black, and White Rivers, 

 which are confluent, the Arkansa, Washita, and Red rivers. 



There are also a few other bottoms on the west side of the 

 Mississippi, of moderate size. The largest of them are Ty- 

 wapata, and Bois-broule, situated a little above the mouth of 

 the Ohio. 



The hilly and mountainous country commences imme- 

 diately west of the Mississippi bottom, and extends west- 

 wardly about four hundred miles. Although the ttrms 

 hillif and mountainous are expressive of the general charac- 

 ter of the country, yet the following portions of this section 

 may be enumerated as exceptions: viz. a tract of country 

 comprehending St. Louis, Belle Fontaine, Florissant, and 

 extending south- westwardly so as to include the Lead-Mine 

 tract, Belle View, Sec. This tract, (which embraces the most 

 populous part of the Missouri territory) may be denomma- 

 ted rolling, or moderately hilly. Considerable portions of the 

 country situated between the Arkansa and Red rivers, par- 

 ticularly in the vicinity of the latter, are also of this charac- 

 ter. On the Arkansa, above Belle Point, is an extensive 

 tract of a similar description, as also many tracts of interior 

 size, on the north side of Arkansa, between the village ot 

 the Post, and the Cadron settlements. On the south side ol 

 the Missouri is also an extensive tract of rolling counirj% 



