STATISTICS

OF THE

STATE OF LOUISIANA.

CHAP. IV.

ATTACAPAS AND OPELOUSAS; PRAIRIES; HILLS; FACILITY OF INLAND NAVIGATION.

ATTACAPAS and Opelousas are so intimately blended, and so similar in their general topographical features, that I have considered it more suitable to precede their individual political subdivisions by a general description. The region included in these two places is so singular, having characteristics very different from other parts of the state of Louisiana, that I have been more diffuse in a general view, than on most of the remaining parishes.

Viewing a map of Opelousas and Attacapas, the most remarkable features in their geography are those prairies, naturally divided into seven grand divisions. The prairies Grand Chevreuil; Attacapas prairie between the Teche and Vermilion rivers; the large prairie of Opelousas between the Vermilion and Mermentau rivers; the Grand prairie which, commencing about eight miles north of Opelousas church, winds between the waters of the Teche and Courtableau ten miles north westwardly, then gradually turns to

N

the south between Bayou Cane and Bayou Mellet, and terminates above their junction; being thirty miles long. Next follow prairie Mamou, Calcasiu, and finally the prairie between the Calcasiu and Sabine rivers.

Prairie Grand Chevreuil-commences between the overflown lands of the Atchafalaya and the Teche rivers, and following the direction of the latter river, its northern extremity terminates eight miles east of Opelousas. This prairie being the high bank of the Teche river, seldom exceeds two miles in width, not often so much. That part of the prairie bordering on the Teche, is composed of a high rich margin of loam, extremely well adapted to the culture of cotton, tobacco, rice, Indian corn, and towards the lower extremity, the sugar cane. From the banks of the Teche, the prairie has an inclination towards the woods, that gives current to the waters which uniformly flow from the river. The Teche, like the Mississippi, has its bed apparently on a a comparative ridge. After the prairie commences, the inclination of the plane continues, and depresses the surface so considerably, that in many places the overflow of the Atchafalaya enters the prairie, and in high freshes causes serious inconveniences to the crops. In the spring season of 1811, the water in many places, as at Mr. Durald's, penetrated the prairie within a mile of the Teche. Immediately on entering the woods on the N E. side of the prairie, the mark of overflow is perceived on the trees. Timber along the rich margin of the Teche is generally composed of several species of hickory; sycamore, sweet gum, black oak, red oak, willow oak, red elm, mucillaginous elm, linden, laurel magnolia, sassafras, and below 30° 15′ N. lat. some live oak. The muscadine grape vine, and smilax are found entwined round those large forest trees. The cane, though not

of large growth, is found in the woods intermingled with palmetto. Many other trees are found of less note, such as the dogwood, red bud, and other dwarf trees. The holly abounds, and that singular tree called, perhaps capriciously, the prickly ash, from the conical protuberances on its bark, the inside rind of which has an acrid aromatic taste. There is found also the prickly sumach, so called from a short sharp thorn on its branches; from the end of the principal stem and branches a bunch of very fragrant flowers protrude themselves, which in the autumn are followed by soft pulpy berries, having much of the appearance, and taste, of the bark of the aromatic herb, found in the middle states, and denominated spikenard.

To those who ascribe deleterious effects from the proximity of stagnant water, the situation of persons living in prairie grand Chevreuil, will not appear very conducive to health. Time and experience has proven, that there is but little difference, in point of salubrity, between this prairie and those more remote from the borders of the inundation occasioned by the Mississippi. The fact being thus peremptorily asserted, so much in the face of prejudice, may need some illustra

tion.

The lands that are inundated by the spring freshes in the low lands of the Atchafalaya, remain almost entirely devoid of water, on the retiring of the floods. No portion of woodland perhaps in America, is more completely without water in the fall season than this. Miles in succession of those regions, that have hitherto been supposed to be constantly submersed, are in fact eight months of the year almost totally deprived of water, for the ordinary necessities of animal existence. This observation will be found circumstantially correct

in all the range that forms the western part of the Delta, for several miles from the prairies, or heights. Commencing at the Red river, and following the range of hills that separates the Delta from the low ground, you will experience a very great want of water, in autumn and winter. When the spring rains commencein aid of the water brought down by the rivers, and the low country is laid under inundation, the waters being fresh, from either the clouds or northern latitudes, are of course not in a state to generate much miasma. Before the summer heats are excessive, they have commenced their departure, and by the beginning of August have mostly subsided. This accounts satisfactorily for the health that often prevails in places which to the eye would appear unfavourably situated. The large lakes west of the Atchafalaya, are at too great distance to have much effect on the atmosphere in prairie grand Chevreuil.

No doubt but the small prairie called Prairie de Petit Bois, and the prairie on the Courtableau at the efflux of the lower Teche, were once connected with prairie grand Chevreuil; but timber having gradually encroached on the prairies, has closed the communication.

Attacapas Prairie.-This great prairie lies between the Teche and Vermilion rivers, and is drained by the waters of the latter and Bayou Petite Anse, with some other small Bayous that run into the marshes along the seacoast. That particular feature in the history of Teche river, of its banks being the apex of a ridge, is strikingly proven by the current of the water on the west side, as well as east. From the mouth of Bayou Fusillier no inlet, except from the lagunes along the banks, and within one or two hundred yards distance,

enters the Teche. The plane assumes an immediate though gentle inclination, which drawing the water westwardly, throws it into the Vermilion. One effect, however, exhibits proof, how much the earth here approaches the surface of a real sphere. Lake Tasse, between Teche and Vermilion, discharges its waters. N. W. directly in opposition to the Vermilion and Teche.

No tract of land on the globe, of equal extent, can exceed in fertility the margin of the Teche river, from the mouth of Fusillier to its own entrance into the Atchafalaya. The high cultivatable margin may be, at a medium, half a mile wide from the river outwards, but can, by the aid of drains, be augmented to any reasonadistance. By taking advantage of the natural drains, most of the prairie could be reclaimed. That this will be done progressively, as the price of lands increase, we cannot doubt. One remark may be made generally on Louisiana, that no country can afford more facilities to invite artificial improvement. Water, as an agent, when it can be commanded by human genius, either in the transportation of heavy weights, or in the operation of mechanics, will perhaps for ever remain the most useful servant of man. An eye cast on the map of Attacapas, will at a glance perceive the ease with which a canal can be drawn to unite the water of the Courtableau, Teche, Vermilion, and Mermentau with each other and the Mississippi. That this communication will be opened, if the country watered by these streams remain in the hands of a free and active people, will not be doubted; and the very performance will secure the tenure to the then possessors. A numerous, happy and wealthy race of men would be found on spots now covered with grass and woods But to return: The lands bordering on the Techef