BOUNDARIES, SURFACE, &c.-—BOOK It 161 
prairie not susceptible of cultivation from the Want of wood and 
Water. 
In order to giye the reader a more satisfactory view of the 
subject, I will enter into some detail on the topography of dif^ 
ferent sections, or natural divisions. 
1 . Section of the etctte between Red river , Mississippi , and the 
line of the 33° of J\T. Lat. 
This embraces an extensive portion of the state, and of a 
character in many respects different from the rest. The greats 
er part is of an uneven surface, in places hilly, and invariably 
covered with the long leafed pine. The soil, we may naturally 
suppose from this growth, to be poor, if not barren. But I have 
been informed by intelligent persons, that it is preferable to the 
pine lands of Georgia. There are no sand hills, and every where 
a luxuriant herbage. I have passed over some parts which are 
rocky, but in general we find a light grey colored earth, mixed 
with a considerable portion of sand. It is supposed that wheat 
might be grown in this soil to advantage. There are a great ma¬ 
ny beautiful streams of clear delightful water, upon whose bor¬ 
ders, the lands are rich and clothed with a variety of trees, the 
magnolia and other laurels, always forming the greater propor¬ 
tion. These strips of land, or bottoms, rarely exceed a mile in 
width. On the roads between the Washita and Red river, there 
are a number of scattered settlers, who live tolerably well; 
the adjacent pine wood enabling them to keep large herds of cat- 
tie. The country is generally healthful, and when it becomes 
settled, will be one of the most pleasant in the state. The Wash¬ 
ita, Catahoula, and Little, river, are the principal streams by 
which this tract is watered. On the Washita there is said to be 
upland, similar to that of the Missouri, and which is well suited 
to the raising of wheat. The country abounds with streams, 
which afford mill seats, but it is feared that the torrents which 
they roll along after heavy rain, would sweep away any worly 
that might be erected. On some of the more considerable 
creeks, or rivulets, it often happens that the whole valley is 
overflown. Their channels are deep, and many of them abound^ 
