Texas owes much of its great capability for agricultural purposes to its numerous rivers and the regularity of their course. Nearly ell the rivers, oven those which run only 50 miles, are navigable for small craft in the greatest part of their course. The most remarkable of these rivers from went to east are—the Rio Grande, noticed under Mimeo, between which country and Texas it forms the boundary ; the Rio Names, which flows about 250 miles with a general south eastern mune; the San Antonio ; the Rio Guadalupe, which falls into a legune forming the harbour of Espiritu Santo ; the Colorado, or Red Rirer of Texas, which traverses in its upper course the mountain tract of San Saba, flows upwards of 400 miles, and falls into the lagune constituting the harbour of Matagorda; the Rio Brazos, or Brazos de Dios, whose origin is near to that of the Real River, and which, flowing chiefly in a south-south-easterly direction, intersects nearly the centre of Texas and the most fertile districts, and enters the sea after a course of more than 400 miles ; and the Rio Trinidad, which, after a course of more than 300 miles in a south-south-easterly direction through a very fertile tract, falls into Galveston Bay. Rod River and Sabine River, which separate Texas from the Indian territory end Louisiana, are noticed under LOUISIANA. The Sabine has a length of 350 miles, and is navigable for 150 miles, and much higher, by keel boats. Before reaching the gulf it expands into a lake 30 miles long and 8 miles wide. The bar at its mouth has 4 feet of water over it at low tide.
There are several good harbours along tho coast. The low coast is skirted by a number of long fiat islands, separated from the main by narrow straits ; but these are much deeper than these farther south, and afford in several places good anchorage for vessels of moderate burden. The bars at the mouths of the rivers have tolerably deep water on them, and there is no part of the extensive Gulf of Mexico which has more or better harbours, bays, and inlets than those of Texas. There are no lakes of any importance in the state; and no canals have yet been constructed.
A southern Pacific railway is to cross Texas from east to west, and several other railwaye are projected, but none have as yet been carried into execution. The ordinary roads are many of them well laid out, and in good condition.
Geology, Mineralogy, etc.—The geological features of Texas have been but cursorily examined. The mountainous country cousiets chiefly of igneous and metamorphic rocks. In the eastern portion of this district a considerable belt of Lower Salurian strata has been observed. North of this, along the Saba River, carboniferous strata OMIT. Much of the centre and north of the state appears to belong to the cretaceous system of rocks; while the whole of the level region, and the low districts bordering the Gulf of Mexico, consist of tertiary and recent deposits.
In minerals the state is believed to be very rich. Gold has been found along several of the smaller streams of the western portion of the mountain district Silver also occurs in the hill country, and the silver-mine of Saba is said to have been one of the richest in America during the Spanish occupation. Iron ore appears to be very widely diffused. Lead and copper have also been found in several places. Coal occurs on the Trinidad and Brazos rivers. Alum is obtained in two or three places. Salt occurs very extensively in salt springs and lagunee; large quantities are annually taken from a salt lake near the Rio Grande. Potash and soda are also obtained in dry seasons near the salt lagunea. Asphaltum is obtained on the coast. From the limestone of the prairie country abundance of lime is obtained. ]led and white sandstone, or freestone, may be quarried through a largo portion of the state. A soft white stone, which becomes quite bard on exposure to the atmosphere, and is very useful for building pur poses, is found iu several places along the eastern side of the bill country. Agate, chalcedony, and jasper, are found. Saline, white and blue sulphur, and other mineral springs, said to possess considerable curative properties, are very numerous.
Climate, Productions, dc.—The temperature varies according to the locality, from tropical to temperate ; yet, except along parts of the coast and the rivers where subject to inundations, the climate is said to be generally pleasant and salubrious--iu some places eminently so. The summer heat is modified by refreshing breezes, which blow almost uninterruptedly from the south. In winter, ice is seldom seen, except in the northern part of the state. Texas has periodical winds : from March to November they are from the south, and little rain falls ; the rest of the year northerly winds prevail, and in December and Jauuary they are strong and keen.
The characteristics of the soil and productions have been noticed in speaking of the surface of the country. Cotton has now become tire staple of Texas : it generally grows well and of good quality; that grown along the coast is said to bo little inferior to the celebrated Georgian Sea Island cotton. Tobacco also thrives well, and is becom ing an important product of the state. The sugar-cane flourishes, but, as already noticed, engages very little attention from the Texan farmer. All the cereals produce abundant crops. Maize is the chief grain staple : two crops of it are frequently obtained annually. Wheat and oats are the next iu importance among the cereals, and both are grown extensively. Buckwheat, rye, and millet are also grown. Rice is somewhat largely cultivated, and its culture could he very greatly extended. Both common and sweet potatoes are largely raised.