SOUTHEKN APPALACHIAN EEGION. 



115 



Connecting- the Unaka Mountains with the Blue Ridoe ^T'-ansverse 



^ CD ijj OH II Lrli.Il 



are a series of more or less interrupted chains, most of 

 which have a northwest direction. Chief of these are Tus- 

 quitee, Cheoah, Nantahala, Cowee, Balsam, Pisgah, New 

 Found, Black, Yellow, Roan, Beech, and Stone mountains. 

 Supporting and extending these are scores of smaller peaks 

 and ridges. Here and there on these separate chains are 

 many high points comparable with Or exceeding those of 

 the Unaka Mountains — for instance, Roan Mountain, 6,313 

 feet; Richland Balsam, 6,540 feet, and Mount Mitchell, 

 6,712 feet, the highest point east of the Rockies. As a 

 whole they are much higher than the Blue Ridge, although 

 the}^ exceed the Unakas but little. One hundred and fifty- 

 six summits are over .5,000 feet, and 36 rise over 6,000 

 feet. The Balsam and Pisgah mountains are the highest 

 of the transverse ranges and form a maximum correspond- 

 ing to the Smoky Mountains. (PI. LXI.) 



Thus, although the Blue Ridge is the watershed of tliis 

 area, the highest points, excepting Mount Mitchell, are 

 situated in the Unaka Mountains, where are also located 

 the largest bodies of high ground. Accordingly the rivers 

 flow northwest from the Blue Ridge in deeper and deeper 

 channels, until their gorges are overshadowed by the peaks 

 of the Unakas, a mile in height above them. 



Certain types of surface prevail throughout the moun- -surface forma, 

 tain district. The mountains rest upon a low base, which 

 varies from 1,500 to 2,500 feet in elevation. The rise of 

 2,000-5,000 feet up to the summits is made between nar- 

 row limits, so that the slopes are steep for the most part. 

 Narrow valleys follow the rivers, in places from 2 to 5 

 miles in width, and with moderate eminences. From their 

 borders rise the mountains, with slopes abruptly chang- 

 ing 20 degrees or more. These have a marked similarity 

 throughout the mountains, whether high or low. The 

 summits are usually rounded, and cliffs onl}^ here and there 

 mar the smoothness of the slopes. The general aspect of 

 these mountains is one of flowmg curves, and their gran- 

 deur is impressed on the observer b}' their mass rather 

 than by outline. 



THE RIVER SYSTEMS. 



Probably no region in the United States is better watered ao^^'-'iJ^Vh'ers."^ 

 or better drained than this. Most of the water passes into 

 the Mississippi, through Tennessee River and its tributa- 

 ries. Chief of these are the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Little 



