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Show 160 name of the sand hills, which separate the waters of the Mississippi from those which fall into the Pacific ocean. The breadth of this great plain is not well ascertained. It is said by some to be at certain parts, or in certain directions, not less than two hundred leacrues · but it is agreed by all vvho have a knowledge b ' . of the western country, that the 1nean breadth 1~ at least two thirds of that distance. A branch of the 1\t1issouri called the river Platte, or Shallow river, is said to take its rise so far south as to derive its first \Vaters from the neighbourhood of the sources of the Red and Arkansa rivers. By the expres~ion plains or prairies in this pbce, is not to be understo~d .a de~:d. flat, resembling certain savannas, whose soil. Is sufl and impenetrable, often under water, and bearmg only a coarse grass resemb~ing reeds; ~ery .di~erent are the \i\'Cstern prairies, wluch expressw.n. s1gmfies .only a country without timber. !he~e pra1nes are n e1t~er flat nor: hitly, but undulatmg mto gently s\\·ellmg la·wns,' and expanding into spacio?s v~llies, in the center of which is always found a httle timber growing on the ban~s of the brooks and rivulets of the finest waters. The whole of these prairies are represented to be composed of the richest and most fertile soil · the tnost luxuriant and succulent herbage covers the ~urface of the earth, interspersed with millions of flo\rers and flowering shrubs, of the most ornamental kinds. Those who have viewed only a skirt of thcs~ prairies, speak of then1 with enthusiasm, as if it ·was only there that nature was to be found truly perfect ; they declare, that the fcr~ility and .beauty of the ri:;ing grounds, the extreme nchness of the vales, the coolness and excellent quality nf the water found in every valley, the salubrity of the atmosphere, and aboYe all the grandeur of the enchanting landsca.Pe which this country presents, inspire the soul \Hth sensations not to be felt in any other region of the o·Iobe. This paradise is now very thinly inhabited by ~few tribes of savages, and by the in1mense herds of 161 wild cattle! (bison) which people these countries. The cattle perform regular migrations, accordino- to the seasons, fr~m south !o north,. and from the ;lains to th.e mountains; and 1n due time, taught by their in. stmcts.' take a retrogade direction. These tribes move 111 the rear of the herds, and pick up straO'o-1ers and ~uch as ,lag bc.hind, ~hich they kill with th~ bo\; and. arrow, for thctr subsistence. rfhis country is not subjected to tho~e sudden deluges of rain which in ~ost hot countnes, and even in the ~11ssissippi terntory, tear up a~1d sweep away with irresistible fury, th~ crop and sOil together: on the contrary, rain is sa1d to bcco1ne more rare 111 prO})Ortion as the g. t I · f · · 1 ea c 1a1n ? ?'lountam l!S approached; and it would seem that Wit.htn the. sphere of the attraction of those elevat~ d ndge~, httle. or. no rain falls on the adjoining plams. Tlus relatiOn Is the more credible, as in tha~ respect ~ur new country may resemble other flat or comparatively low countries, similarly situated· such as the c~:mntry lying between the Andes ~uid th~ \Vestern Pactfic; the plains are supplied with nightly dews ~o extremely abundant, as to have the effect of refreshmg showers of rain; and the spacious vallies, which are e.xtremely level, m~y with facility, be watered by t~e n~s and brooks wh1ch are never absent fi·om these Situations .. Such is the description of the better known country lymg to the south of Red river, fron1 Nacog .. doch~s towards St. Antonio, in the province of Tax us: th~ nchest crops are said to be procured there without ram; but agriculture in that quarter is at a I ow ebb. the ~mall. quantities. of m~ize furnisi:ed by the coun: try, ~s sa.td to be :a1sed Without cultivation. A rude ope_nmg JS made 111 the earth, sufficient to deposit the gram, at the distance of four or five feet, in irreg·ular squares, and the rest is left to nature. 'fhe soil is tend:r,. spongy and rich, and seems always to retain hum1d1ty sufficient, with the bounteous dews of Hea. \'en, to bring the crops to maturity. 21 |
