The Ohio river bounds the tract we have reviewed as far southward as the mouth of the Great Sandy. Here the former turns almost at right angles, and pursuing a Gout se something north of west to the mouth of the Great Miami, again inflects about south west by west to its junction with the Mississippi. This wide curve, in con junction with a part of the Mississippi, hounds the great limestone expanse of Kentucky and West Tennessee. This latter region, though adjoining the former, presents features essentially different. The base of the Kentucky section appears to be in great part fleetz or secondary limestone, the face of the earth becomes more monoton ous ; the rivers flow in many places in chasers, walled on both banks by precipices of limestone. Fresh water in many places scarce. Minerals rare, if limestone is excepted. In point of climate and vegetable production, no very material difference appears between the contiguous parts of the two sections under review, except that which arises from soil. In point of extent and fertility, thr. soil of Kentucky and West Tennessee is generally produc tive, and in a variety of places highly fertile. Vegeta bles, either indigenous or exotic, are very nearly, en both sections, on a similar line of latitude, and of equal exposure and elevation. From a lower surface, cotton, and other tender vegetables, are cultivated farther north, near the Ohio, than towards the north-western ridges of the Appalachian mountains. The climate of both will he more amply noticed in the sequel of this article.
Respecting the north-western section of the Ohio valley, a few observations will suffice, after what has preceded respecting that of the south-east, and on the review of the whole valley in general. Similar latitudes present in great part similar climatic phenomena and vegetable pro ducts. From the peculiar structure of the north-western section already delineated, it must be evident that mineral products are rare ; and such is the fact. Iron ore is found, though not abundantly, in the north-west part of Pennsylvania, and north-east part of Ohio. 'Mineral coal abounds along the Ohio, and on some other streams, as far down the valley as Cincinnati, and might, it is pro bable, be obtained in nther places, if the earth was per forated to sufficient depth. Indications of muriate of soda, and some trifling fragments of sulphate of lime, (Gypsum,) have been discovered, but neither to any con siderable extent. in the far greater part, however, of this section of the Ohio valley, few or no indications of minerals appear. The flatness and peculiar structure of the two-thirds of the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, preclude the exposure of mineral bodies, if such existed. It has been by the action of water in wearing deep chan ocls in the earth's slit face, that mineral bodies have, in most cases, been exposed to human view and use.
In point of soil, climate, and vegetable production, the south-western section of the Ohio valley has been too highly coloured, though favourable in many respects to human residence. The range of country within one bun dled miles of the Ohio rivet being broken into hill and dale, good wholesome water is abundant, but receding to the central table land, is in many places wanting. In most essential circumstances, as respects natural phe Lomena and human economy, strong analogies exist between the contiguous parts of the two great sections of Ohio valley, whilst their extremes present a total contrast. It would be mere repetition to dilate further, after what has been given on this subject ; the foregoing observation was made in order to draw the reader's at tention to features so strongly traced, and illustrative of the subject on which we are treating. It has been too generally prevalent with authors, as well as travel lers, to respresent the Ohio valley as a monotonous sur face, uniform in aspect, climate, and fertility ; whilst, in all these respects, perhaps no equal region of the earth presents, in all these points, more marked or more ab rupt contrasts, if some very mountainous tracts are ex cepted.
Valley of the Misaissifild Profien—Before entering upon the physical survey of the pat ticular valley of the Mississippi, above its junction with Missouri, it is ncees bary to take a view of the entire stream which now de signates the whole basin.
In our defective state of information, it is impracticable to determine which is the most remote branch of the Mississippi, nor is it perhaps an object of much conse quence. The latitude and longitude of its source are also undefined. Authorities on that subject differ so much, that no great confidence is due to any. It is probable, that like other rivers, no real certainty of the main source or latitude is attainable without extraordinary pains and skill. We may, however, assume N. Lat. 48°, and W. Long. front Washington city 18°, as the source of that great river. Its general course is about south west 300 miles, to the mouth of the Corbeau, which conies in from the right. Below the Co•beau, the Mis sissippi assumes a south-eastern course of 200 miles to St. Anthony's Falls, at the foot of which it receives the St. Peter's, a large tributary stream from the north-west. Below the mouth of St. Peter's, the Mississippi con tinues south-east 80 miles, and in that distance receives from the left the St. Croix, Chippeway, and Black rivers. Between the two former occurs Lake Pepin, a mere dilatation of the river. After receiving Black river, the :Mississippi curves more to the south, and 80 miles below the former, receives from the left a large branch, the Ouisconsin. Thence again turning to south-east 100 miles, is joined by Rock river, a stream of considerable size, flowing from north-east to south-west, and rising near Lake Michigan. Below Rock river, the Alissis• sippi turns to a little west of south, 100 miles, to its junction with the Lemoine river, a very considerable tributary stream from the north-west. One hundred and twenty miles, in a south-eastern course, below the Le moine, the Illinois unites with the Mississippi, and 15 miles lower, the latter and Missouri form their junction. The entire length of the Mississippi above the mouth of Missouri, is by comparative estimates, 995 miles. The country drained by this river is generally rather level than hilly, much of its surface prairie. Except towards its source, no lakes of any considerable consequence are found on any of its confluents. Its water is tolerably limpid, and its current gentle. Though, from accidental circumstances, the Mississippi has gained the pre-emi nence in giving name to the general recipient, it is, ne vertheless, a mere branch, and by no means the prin cipal one, of Missouri. Below their junction, the united stream flows 198 miles south-east, where it receives an immense accession of water through the channel of Ohio; below which, the congregated mass turns a little west of south, and flows in that direction 316 miles, re ceives the White river, and 14 miles lower the Arkan saw ; both from the right. The Yazoo enters from the left, 187 miles below the mouth of Arkansaw ; and 211 miles below the mouth of Yazoo, the Mississippi re ceives its last tributary stream of consequence, the Red river, from the right. Two miles below Red river, the Atchafalaya flows out to the south. From the mouth of Arkansaw to the efflux of Atchafalaya, the general course of the Mississippi is nearly from north to south. Below the former, the latter assumes a south-east course, which it put-sues 347 miles, to its final exit into the Gulf of 1Iexieo. The entire length of the Mississippi, below the mouth of Missouri, is 1273 miles, by the windings of the stream. if one-third is added to its comparative length above Missouri, for its particular meanders, the result will give 1327 miles, which added to 1273, yields 2500 miles, as the entire length of the Mississippi, fol lowing the bends.