INTRODUCTION. 
9 
notable feature of its landscape, and also a very important element of its 
agricultural wealth. 
Swamps. — These are mostly confined to the counties near the Atlantic 
border. They are 60 extensive and constitute so peculiar a characteristic 
of that region as to demand special study when we come to the descrip- 
tion of that portion of our territory. Iti this section also are found 
Savannahs.— -These are simply small prairies. They will be described 
in connection with the special topography of the region. 
Rivers — with their network of tributary creeks and springs , “ which 
run among the hills,” abound every where, while natural wells , ponds, 
lakes, bays and sounds are limited to the coast region. 
Natural Divisions. — In a general view the State may be described as 
consisting of two parts ; one, a rugged, mountainous plateau, of 2,000 to 
4,000 feet elevation lying between two heavy chains of the Appalachians y 
the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Bidge ; the second, a long slope ex- 
tending from the eastern edge of this plateau to the Atlantic. But as 
this slope subdivides itself naturally into two parts, it is perhaps better to 
describe the whole as consisting of three co-ordinate divisions, viz : the 
plateau above mentioned, the middle region, or hill country, and the 
champaign or coast region ; or, by their relative geographical position, 
western , middle and eastern. 
The Eastern Division extends from the coast about 100 miles to the 
lower falls of the rivers, and constitutes nearly two-fifths of the area of 
the State. This region is for the most part nearly level, or very gently 
undulating, except along the river courses, on the upper reaches of which 
rise bluffs and small hills. Its slope seaward is between 1 and 2 feet to 
the mile, and it is occupied geologically by the (sensibly) horizontal strata 
of the Post Tertiary and Tertiary formations, which consist of uncom- 
pacted sands, clays, marls and gravels in various commixture, and is di- 
vided by the southeasterly course of four or five large rivers into as many 
parallel zones or broad flattish swells, which shed their drainage waters 
northeast and southeast, by a system of small tributaries, into the larger 
streams. As may be seen by reference to a map, the water-shed, or crest 
of these zones lies much nearer to their northeastern margin, dividing 
them into two very unequal slopes, or drainage areas. 
In the beginning of my explorations in this region the question was 
often asked, by the more observing and intelligent citizens, why the 
bluffs and high banks are always found on the south side of the rivers, 
and the swamps and low flats on the north. I did not know, and indeed 
doubted the fact. But my attention being called to it, the observation 
was soon ascertained to be valid to a very remarkable extent. Another 
