This ridge is, in all its length, the separating line between the rivers and creeks that lose themselves in the Mississippi; and those of West Florida. It is also a limit of climate; a sensible change of temperature is perceivable on passing this distinguishing, though not very elevated chain of hills. Snow is more frequent in Adams, than in Amite county; notwithstanding their proximity, and their occupying nearly the same latitude.

At Loftus heights is seen the last stone or rock resting in strata, that has been yet discovered in descending the Mississippi river. The rock is a Breccia, or Pudding stone of evident recent formation; and only visible when the river is extremely low. The same species of fossil forms the base of all the bluffs from the mouth of Ohio to Loftus heights. The pebble is of various colours, but white silex prevails. The cement is argillaceous, very much impregnated with iron ore. The most limpid water gushes over this mass of Breccia, but is considered unwholesome by the inhabitants, who live in the vicinity. The most curious and singular petrifactions are admixed with the rock; having a perfect resemblance to those found in the state of Louisiana, in the neighbourhood of lake Bistineau.* Near the Bistineau, these petrifactions form a superstratum upon horizontal sandstone, or the secondary floetz of Werner; there is no reasonable doubt, but that the Breccia of the state of Mississippi reposes also upon a similar base.

After leaving the banks of the Mississippi, and proceeding eastward along the 31° N. lat. the first river of note that occurs is the Amite.

Amite river, rises in the N. E. extremity of the coun

*See page 173.

ty of that name; and by two nearly equal streams traverses the county in a southern course, enters the State of Louisiana, and unites about two miles south of the line of demarkation between the two states*.

The lands upon the Amite are of three very distinct qualities; alluvion near the streams, that species of slopes called Hammock, and the open pine hills.

Like alluvion, wherever it occurs, it is here extremely fertile; timbered with liquid amber styraciaflua, (sweet gum,) quercus tinctoria (black oak,) tilia pubescens (linden, or lime tree ;) and many other species of wood, indicative of fertile soil.

Hammocks are generally the slopes of hills, where are admixed pine, oak, sweet gum, dogwood, and other trees that designate a mixed soil.

The pine forests have nothing remarkable to distinguish them from those of Louisiana; to which, in every respect, they have a perfect resemblance.

The country on the head waters of Amite river is hilly and healthy; and well timbered and watered. It is a pleasant, airy, and agreeable region; having all the natural advantages that can render it a desirable and profitable residence to an industrious people.

Bogue Chito and Pearl rivers have been noticed ;† and their waters draining a country perfectly similar to that of the Amite, it would be useless to enlarge upon them in this place.

Pascagoula river, a beautiful and important stream, rises in the Choctaw country, and drains the space between the Pearl, Tombigbee, and Mobile rivers. The constituent branches of the Pascagoula are the Leaf, Chickisawhay, and Dog rivers.

* See page 89. + See page 91.

The western branch of Leaf river rises in Wayne eounty, and, pursuing a S. E. course, enters Greene county, and unites with another and larger branch from the north; the united stream continues S. E, crosses the 31° N. lat. about eight miles south of which comes in from the north east the Chickisawhay.

The Chickisawhay river rises in the Choctaw country, runs south, and enters Wayne county in the Hyoanée reserve ; continues south, traversing Wayne and Greene counties, until near the S. E. angle of the latter, where the river turns S. W. passes the 31° N. lat. and joins, as has been seen, the Leaf river. The united streams now take the name of Pascagoula, and flows S. E. by S. forty miles, and falls into the gulph of Mexico.

Dog river rises in the Alabama Territory, and flowing south, through Washington and Baldwin counties, crosses the 31° N. lat. continues south, is lost in the estuary of the Pascagoula. Only the mouth of this river is in the state of Mississippi.

Though not so long in its course, there flows in the Pascagoula, as much or more water than does in the Pearl river; and as navigable streams, the preference is greatly in favour of the former The bar at the mouth of the Pearl, admits vessels of six feet draught; and when in the bay and river, that depth continues to the junction of the Leaf and Chickisawhay rivers.

The general aspect of the soil, on the waters of Pascagoula is sterile; but upon the margin of the waters a considerable surface of good farming land exists. The pine forests reach the gulph of Mexico, on both sides of the Pascagoula bay. The bay is as represented in my map, filled with low islands, which are void of timber. Thick woods approach to the sea shore, however, on leaving the bay either east or west.

The border of the gulph, near the mouth of the Pascagoula river, is esteemed amongst the most salubrious places in that climate. From my own personal observation, and inquiry on the spot, I am inclined to sanction this opinion. I could perceive no causes of putrid exhalation. With the exception of the bay, the country is high, dry, and well supplied with refreshing breezes from the sea. The soil of this coast is sterile, but its unfruitfulness is counterbalanced to the inhabitants by the health they enjoy.

Here many persons retire from New Orleans in the summer months. In the progress of improvement, when New Orleans becomes more and more crowded and extensive, and when suitable accommodations are provided on the bays of St. Louis, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, an agreeable retreat will be open to those who desire to avoid the dangers, real and imaginary, of a summer residence in a large commercial city, on the banks of the Mississippi.

In the interior of the country, the lands watered by the Pascagoula, and tributary streams, have great resemblance to those of Amite and Pearl.

A general character pervades all that part of the state of Mississippi, lying east of Wilkinson county. The three kinds of land noticed in the review of Amite prevails; and with about the same proportions.

STATISTICS

OF THE

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

CHAP. IX.

COUNTIES; THEIR NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTIONS; TOWNS.

THE

HE ridge of hills that has been described in page 291, divides the State of Mississippi into two unequal sections. The N. W. section comprises all the counties of Warren, Claiborne, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and the greatest part of Wilkinson, and one half of Amite. In the S. E. section are included, one half of Amite, and all Pike, Lawrence, Marion, Wayne, Greene, Hancock, and Jackson counties.

These sections are of very unequal extent; the N. W. containing 3240, whilst the S. E covers an area of 9840 square miles. The two divisions have very distinctive features of soil, climate, and natural productions. I will review each, and the contrast will appear apparent and striking.

It would be useless to give in detail the particular features of the counties, included in the N. W. section. A steady uniformity prevails in all the region from the Yazoo river to Loftus heights, and even to the 31° N. lat.

*That part of the state to which the Indian title is extinct, is here to be understood.