With the influx of the Boeuf, the \Vashitau as sumes a southern direction by comparative course 20 miles to its very remarkable reception of the Tensaw from the northeast, and of the Ocatahoola from the southwest. The meeting of these three streams at one point, and the peculiar features and phenomena of the Ocatahoola, gives great interest to the scene.
Tensaw river is formed by the drain of the im mense flow. and annually inundated, though densely wooded plain between the Mississippi and Washi tau rivers. The highest source, if that term in its common acceptation is here applicable of the Ten saw, is about N. Lat. 33°, and the northern dary of Louisiana, issuing from Grand Lake, a former ben I o.' the Mississippi. Flowing thence c. I __ about 100 miles comparative course of S.S.NV., and receiving the Masson, a considerable branch from the low grounds between it and the Boeuf, joins the \Vashitau as already stated.
Within less than half a mile below the entrance of the Tensaw, the Ocatahoola enters from the op posite direction. This latter has its remote sources in the pine forests between the \Vashitau and Red river, interlocking fountains with those of the Ter rebonne branch of \Vashitau and those of the Lower Saline branch of Red river. Flowing thence to S.S.E. by comparative courses SO miles, reaches the verge of the great plains of the Delta. Here the Ocatahoola discharges a small outlet which con tinues the general course to Red river; but the main volume bends abruptly to the northeast, and in seasons of high water spreads into a lake of 20 miles in length, and with a breadth of from one to five or six miles; and again contracts into a river of about 100 yards wide, continuing to the N E. to its union with the Washitau. At seasons of high water in Louisiana the Ocatahoola lake and river becomes nearly stagnant, but as the great flood of the Delta abates, the current into \Vashitau aug ments until the lake of Ocatahoola disappears, and a muddy stream wandering over an immense mea dow succeeds. This meadow again, as the flood of the succeeding year commences, receives the re flux of Ocatahoola river from the \Vashitau, and gradually fills; and thus, alternately, the lake and meadow take place of each other, and the interme diate Ocatahoola flows towards or from the \Vash itau, according to the state of inundation or drain ing of the Delta.
With the augmentation of Tensaw and Ocata hoola, \Vashitau looses its name in that of Black river, which, with a very crooked channel, but ge neral southern course of 30 miles, merges in the larger volume of Red river, at N. Lat. 31° 17', and 14° 55' W. Long. from NV. C.
The valley of the \Vashitau extends from N. Lat. 31° 17' to 34° 45', or in round numbers, over three and a hall' degrees of latitude; the greatest length from the Red river to the sources of Saline is 250 miles along a course a very little west of north; mean breadth at least 80, and area 20,000 square miles. It is a region presenting great diversity of feature, soil, climate, and of vegetable and mineral production. The higher sources rise amidst moun tains in part clothed with timber, and in part pre senting naked rocks or grassy plains. On one of
its higher branches, at N. Lat. 34° 31.', and 16° \V. from W. C. gush forth one of the most remarkable fountains of hot water known. The adjacent coun try, rich in scenery and richer still in a most salu brious atmosphere, and innumerable fountains of pure cool water, is now known as Hot Spring county, Arkansas. The springs and village which has risen near them are situated, according to Tan ner's U. S. Map, 47 miles a little S. of \V. from Little Rock, the seat of government for Arkansas, and about 300 miles a little E. of N. from Natchi toches in Louisiana.
The writer of this article resided in Louisiana when the celebrity of those springs first rose, and has known several instances of unequivocal benefit to health derived from a visit to them, and their use while there. But conversing with intelligent physicians and others, some of whom founded their opinion on personal experience, one common prin ciple seemed to be acknowledged: that is, if we suppose all other circumstances the same, any pure spring water heated to a like temperature and used in the same manner for the same time, would be equally efficacious. " Pure air from mountain scenery, exemption from their ordinary cares, and a more temperate regimen, in most cases are the true sources of cure," said one. All their attendant advantages cannot, however, be easily brought into combined action, if we suppose such a combination possible on the wide spread monotonous regions to the southward; therefore the Hot Springs, it is pro bable, will at all future ages afford a most salutary and delicious summer retreat, not alone to the sick and lame, but to every one who can afford the ex pense of a visit.
i\Iuriate of soda (common salt), and, it is said, gypsum, abound in the \Vashitau valley. The soil, if taken generally, is far from productive, and a great proportion is indeed sterile. To these as perities some strong exceptions exist. Along the lower \Vashitau and its confluent streams, tracts of first rate land are found. The same observations may be made respecting partial sections over the whole valley; but they are partial exceptions.
Where the land is capable of culture, particularly in Louisiana, cotton, Indian corn, and the sweet potato are the common vegetables cultivated; the former as the staple for market. The peach and yellow fig abound. Wheat, rye, oats, and meadow grasses have been attempted, but with only partial success.
The main \Vashitau is completely navigable at high water for any requisite vessel, far above Loui siana. When thus swelled, it is rather a rapid, but otherwise safely navigable stream. With the head of Siard island high land ceases on the left bank, if we except a solitary elevated tract called Sicily island, about midway between the mouths of the Boeuf and Tensaw. On the right side, or wes tern bank, hills of considerable elevation stretch to near the influx of Boeuf. Those hills, in some states of the atmosphere, are distinctly visible from the Bluffs in the vicinity of Natchez, though be tween 30 and 40 miles of inundated plain lies be tween.