23 
VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
resemblance to the Stepps of Tartary, or the Saara’s of Africa* 
but without the morasses and dull uniformity of the one, or the 
dreary sterility of the other. The tracts lying on the great rivers 
constitute the most important parts of Louisiana, but are very in-* 
considerable in geographical extent, when compared with the 
Remainder. These tracts are principally on the Mississippi* 
Missouri, Arkansas and Red river. They are vaflies, seldom ex-, 
ceeding ten or twelve miles in width, of a soil exceedingly rich 
and productive, but much interspersed with lakes and refluent 
currents or bayous. To give a more perfect and satisfactory view 
of this extensive country, it will be found convenient to divide 
it into three parts. 
1. The regions beyond the settlements, 
2. The territory of the Missouri. 
3. The state of Louisiana. 
Volney has properly called the country drained by the Mis¬ 
sissippi and its waters, a valley; but it is to be observed that the 
western side is nearly three times as large as the other, and tra¬ 
versed by much more considerable rivers. The mountains which 
bound it on the west and §. W- are of a much greater magnitude 
‘ than the Alleganies. 
To pursue some plan in these Views, I propose to take up 
the first book, with some general description of Louisiana, its 
rivers, soil and productions, and to give in the next book, a more 
detailed account of the territory of the Missouri, and of the 
-%tate of Louisiana-*-. 
The Rocky Mountains are without doubt a continuation of the 
Andes* Their course is nearly north and squth ; in extent and. 
magnitude they fall little short of the mountains of South Ame¬ 
rica. There are in some places peaks of an immense height, 
and covered with perennial snows. The highest point is in lat. 
41°, and may be considered the table land of North America. 
It is from this place that many of the greatest rivers take their 
rise, and flow in opposite directions;* the Colorado of Califor¬ 
nia, Rio del Norte,the Arkansas, the Platte, and the Roche Jaune 
(yellow stone.) It will be to the geologist an interesting work, 
* See Pike’s Journal* 
