VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
$4 
CHAPTER Y. 
NATURAL OR INDIGENOUS PRODUCTIONS—ANIMAL, VEGETA¬ 
BLE, AND MINERAL. 
NOT being a naturalist, I shall only attempt to give some 
idea of the extensive field whi :h lies open to the learned. Were 
I to attempt, upon a slender knowledge, to give a scientific acr 
count, I might lead the reader into error. 
I am informed that the western side of the Mississippi, to the 
eye of the naturalist, has a character altogether different from 
any part of the United States, and that except New Holland, the 
world does not afford a more interesting field. 
Mr. Bradbury* has made an extensive collection of speci¬ 
mens, and some very interesting discoveries. The indefatigable 
research of this gentleman, and that heart-engaged enthusiasm* 
which the student of the great book of nature, has ever been ob¬ 
served to possess, promise a valuable acquisition to pleasurable 
and useful knowledge. The discoveries of Uewis and Clark* 
even in this department, are said to be very important; but, from 
t he expedition necessary in the movements of the exploring par-, 
ties, and the necessity of a continual watch, for their own safety, 
they could not posses the opportunity and leisure, necessary for 
the examination of objects more minute. 
The forest trees, and plants and animals, described by Mr. 
Jefferson, and other writers, are found in some part or other of 
this territory ; but there is also a great variety, peculiar to itself. 
The subject of its mineralogy remains untouched. Mr. Brad¬ 
bury has discovered nearly one hundred and fifty non-descript 
plants; near twenty of which, cannot be assigned to any known 
genera, and may therefore be considered as forming new ones. 
* About the time of writing the following view of the natural pro¬ 
ductions , &c. I became acquainted with Mr. Bradbpry, and submitted 
the sketch to him, he was good enough to make some corrections, and 
to annex several interesting notes. Mr. Bradbury is a naturalist of emi¬ 
nence, a fellow of the Linnean Society, and engaged to come to this 
country to pursue his researches. 
