10 



On the Climate of the 



mate, but upon other, though not less powerful causes. Among 

 these are the rich and extensive alluvions of the rivers and creeks, 

 and the deep and almost impeue'aabl.j swamps, which are cover- 

 ed with the/ sycamore or buttonwood,* the beech,f hackberry,$ 

 cypress,^ and the cockle burr ;j| the fruits of which constitute its 

 favourite food. To these may be added the number of salines or 

 salt licks in the west, about which Mr. Wilson remarks, he never 

 failed to see flocks of paroquets. 



Hence it appears that food more than climate determines their 

 choice of country : this is further proved by their local attach- 

 ments. " Even in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and the Missis- 

 sippi territory, unless in the neighborhood of such places as have 

 been described, it is rare to see them. The inhabitants of Lexing- 

 ton, as many of them assured me, scarely ever observe them in that 

 quarter. In passing from that place to Nashville, a distance of two 

 hundred miles, I neither heard nor saw any, but at a place called 

 Madison's lick. In passing on I next met with them on the banks 

 and rich flats of the Tennessee river ; after this I saw no more till 

 I reached Bayou St. Pierre, a distance of several hundred miles." 



In addition to these facts, it may be mentioned that this bird was 

 originally an inhabitant of the tropical regions, and must have mi- 

 grated through the valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi; and 

 that it gradually ascended to the north as it acquired vigour to 

 withstand the effects of the climate. From all these circumstanc- 

 es, I think it may be safely inferred, that the present residences of 

 the paroquet establish no correct standard by which to judge of the 

 comparative temperature of the climate on the sea-coast and in the 

 basin of the Mississippi. 



From all therefore that has been advanced concerning the argu- 

 ments of Mr. Jefferson in favor of this theory, I think the follow- 

 ing results are naturally deducible, viz: 



1. That the earlier works upon the western country contain no 

 facts from which any correct inferences can be drawn, in regard 

 to the climate. 



2. That the appearance of" certain vegetables and animals in the 

 valley of the Mississippi which are not observed on our sea-coast, 

 may depend upon causes totally disconnected with climate. 



