Shreveport semi-weekly news. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-09-05
The Great Plains.

dea OF the S'r"at Ilains lying be-
ween the western boundary of Loui
:iana. Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa.
and the crest of the Rocky Noun
.ains. In extent, these plains are
equal to all that part of the United
States lying east of the Mississippi.
being nearly 1000 miles in width,
and running from the Arctic region
down through Texas into the tropics.
This vast region is perfectly homo
genious in character throughout, hav-
the same soil, character Of streams
and productions.
The basis of the soil is lime, both
in the form Of carbonates and sui
pilates, and, except in the bottoms
near the streams, is too compact for
agricultural purposes, 1t being imprn-
,trable to the pillow and altogether
too compact for the spade or hoe.
There are on the plains but few trees,
pti All .tbHitiiiS' VI glass '-i'"Sh
ont its whole extent, all of tn. same
kind-thc gramma.' or "butin!o,
grass. Daring the spring showers
this grass grows to the height of an
inch. and covers the whole surface Of
the earth, presenting the appearance
OF the most delicate moss. The leaf
has the tinonrss and spiral texture Of
a negro hair, and, unlike the grass
in regions visited by regular rains, 1t
seeds in the root. When the rains
cease, and the drouth-which pre-
walls during the greater portion OF
the vear-.cts in, this grass is con-
verted into hay upon the ground, but
loses none Of its nutritious qualities,
a. the ilumrus. herds of buffalo. and
other animals ;hat feed upon il, con
tiuuc fat throughout, the year.
The rivers, which are numerous,
and which ran though the plains. are
very wide and shallow, with very
low banks, not more thau n few inch
es above the surface OF the water,
and abound in fish OF the very finest
quality. These streams tax" their
ris. in the Rocky Mountain region,
run GENERALLY in an eastern direct on,
aud empty into the St. Lawrence.
the Mississippi, the Missouri, &c.
Throughout their whole course they
have pretty much the same charac-
ter. 4 swift, even current, low banks,
fat and fertile bottoms. and. as we
have before said, all being wide and
very shallow.
/ The whole surface O: the Gr"a;
Plains i gently undula,ing and per
trctlv smooth. There are no noun
taius nor Lakes in all It's vast area
Animal life abouud- ,houghou, the
whole extent OF the Great Plains
Its supposed, upon good authority,
that there are not less than 10000.
OOQ Of buffalo roaming over ia" vast
surface Of the plains. Besides, wild
horses inuum"rablc: and elk, ante.
iopr, white and black-tailrd deer
mountain sheep, grizzly bear, wolv, :
hares, badgers, porcup!n"s, &c, az,
numerous The whole number O
the larger class of the graminivorou'
animals. it Is estimated. viii reacI
L. lOO.0OO,OOO.
Poultry, too. are found everywhrr'
. over the great plains. and their mum
! Der Is iucalculablc. Among them i
found the wild turkey. til" mountain
and prairie cock, curlew. sand-hil
crane; and among the water fowl ",
have the usual variety found else
where, as the swan, goose, brant
, duck, &c Also the marmot, arma
, dillo, pecary. reptiles innumerabIe
the horned frog and a great varict,
. Of birds. eagles, vultures, raven.
: small birds Of all kinds. &c. Th
: wild dog, and the drmi- Olives. W
have before stated that the waite
). courses abound in fish of the frs
p quality.
The number of wild Indians, tina
+ live in the great plains, and that tee