TRAVELS IN 
406 
here ! the pompous Magnolia reigns fovereign of 
the forefts ; how ftyee t the aromatic Tllicium groves !' 
how gaily flutter the radiated wings of the Mag- 
nolia auriculata, each branch fupporting an ex- 
panded umbrella, fuperbly crefted with a filver 
plume, fragrant bio (Tom, or crimfon ftudded ftro- 
bile and fruits ! I recline on the verdant bank, 
and view the beauties of the groves, iEfcuius pa- 
via, Prunus nemoralis, floribus racemofis, foliis 
femperyirentibus, nitidis, iEfculus alba, Hydrangia 
quercifolia, C affine, Magnolia pyramidata, foliis 
ovatis, oblongis, acuminatis, bafi auriculatis, ftrobilo 
oblongo ovato, Myrica, Rhamnus frangula, Hale- 
fea, Bignonia, Azalea, Lonicera ? Sideroxylon, with 
many more. 
Returned to the river, re-embarked, and at even- 
ing came to, in fight of the confluence or junction 
of the two large arms of the great Mobile river, i. e. 
the Tombigbe or Chicafaw with the Alabama or 
Coofaii. About one hundred and fifty miles above 
this conflux, at Ft. Thouloufe, the Alabama receives 
into it from the Eaft the great Talapoofe river, 
when the former takes the name of Coofau, which 
it bears to its fource, which is in the So. Weft pro- 
montories of the Cherokee or Apalachian moun- 
tains in the Chicafaw territories. 
Obferved very large alligators, balking on the 
fhores, as well as fwimmim?: in the river and la- 
goons. 
Next morning entered the Tombigbe, and af- 
cended that fine river. Juft within its Capes, on 
the left hand, is a large lagoon, or capacious bay 
of ftill water, containing many acres in furface, 
which at a diftant view prefents a very fingular and 
diverting fcene $ a delufxve green wavy plain of the 
■ - * ■ 1 • - - - Nymphgea 
