68 



western, than on the eastern side of the river. 

 From New Madrid to Pointe Coupee, a distance 

 of more than eight hundred miles, the land on 

 the western bank, with the exception of a few 

 small tracts, is overflowed in the spring. In some 

 pans the inundation extends fifty miles back from 

 the river, covering vast cypress swamps, and 

 lands producing different kinds of wood, with a 

 depth of from two to twelve feet of water. No 

 considerable settlements for this distance can be 

 formed on the bank of the river. But much of 

 the bank on the eastern side rises above the high- 

 est floods, and will admit of settlements and im- 

 provement. The waters of the Nile are extolled 

 by the Egyptians, on account of their wholesome 

 qualities and pleasant taste. The waters of the 

 Mississippi, after filtration, or being in any way 

 purified from a muddy sediment, are not disa- 

 greeable to the taste, especially to those who have- 

 been habituated to them. They are supposed to 

 be possessed of medical properties, operating on 

 some people as a mild cathartic, and generally 

 cleansing the skin from curtaneous eruptions. 



It is supposed the Mississippi takes its rise in 

 a lake called White Bear Lake, but its head 

 waters appear not to have been very accurately 

 explored. The most that is known is derived 

 from Indian information. The river above the 

 falls of Saint Anthony, is called, by the Indians, 

 Blue river. Here the stream is remarkably clear, 

 and said to be navigable above the falls for three 



