TECHE, river of Louisiana, rising in the north ern prairies of Opelousas, N. Lat. 40'. The drains of these savannahs, after flowing 7 or is divides into two channels ; one flows northwardly into the Courtableau river, whilst the other pursues a southeastern course. This remarkable separation of currents is about half a mile below the upper Opelousas landing ; and from thence the south eastern branch takes the name of Teche. Flowing between waters of the Courtablcau and Vermilion rivers 10 miles, it receives an inlet from the latter under the name of Bayou Fusillier. The peculiar structure of the country, and the very near approach of the surface to a plain, is seen in these interlock ing water-courses.
Below the influx of Bayou Fusillier the Teche leaves Opelousas and enters Attacapas ; and in the residue of its course presents a stream with great specific resemblance to the Mississippi in the Delta.
Though on a very reduced scale, the Teche, similar to its immense prototype, flows in long sweeping bends, with its banks above any other part of the ad jacent country, the channel being the deepest valley. The adjacent water-courses rise from the very mar gin, and in a distance, following the channel, of 180 miles, the Teche receives no tributary stream.
With slight selvedges of woodland immediately on the stream, prairies extend along the entire right bank of Teche, and for more than one half of the higher part of its course, also along the left bank of this interesting river. The border sloping very gently from the high bank, from a quarter to a mile in width, is composed of the very first rate land, between latitudes 29° 44' and 30° 40' N. Below Lat. 30°, the climate admits sugar cane, and near the mouth a few orange trees begin to appear.