80 



gar, mullet, and carp. It may, however, be 

 doubted whether the carp be of the same species 

 of those caught in Europe. It has been said that 

 herring have been taken in these waters. Alli- 

 gators have not been observed higher up than 

 the Arkansas river. A peculiar kind of fresh 

 water turtle abounds in these rivers. The feet 

 are webbed, and the upper shell remarkably soft. 

 They are from ten to fifteen pounds weight, and 

 considered very delicious. 



Fowl, the greater part of the year, are to be seen 

 here in great abundance ; such as swan, crane, 

 heron, geese, ducks, and brant. The pelican are 

 sometimes seen, but far down the river, are very 

 numerous. The size and shape of this singular 

 bird resembles the swan, excepting in its mon- 

 strous pouch which is placed under its neck and 

 bill. It seems to be an appendage which nature 

 has provided for carrying and preserving its food 

 for its own support and that of its young. The 

 pouch of a pelican killed by Captain Lewis, when 

 ascending the Missouri, was found to hold five 

 gallons of water. They are frequently prepared 

 and used for bags and other purposes. 



The forest treses, in Upper Louisiana, are gen- 

 erally similar to those in the State of Ohio and 

 Indiana Territory. Black and white mulberry is 

 found here in much greater plenty, especially on 

 the Missouri. The cotton wood tree grows in 

 great abundance, on the borders of these riv- 

 ers. It has been supposed to be the same as the 



