Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
VIRGlNIA'S DISMAL SWAMP
ONE OF THE MOST CURIOUS FEA-
TUREs ON THIS CONTINENT.
Various Efforts Made to Reclaim This
Area-First Section Comparatively
Open Through Burning.
From the Scientific American.

From the Scientific American.
The Dismal Swamp Of Virginia and North
Carolina is one of the most curious features
of the North American continent. and 1t Is
one of the least known sections of the coun-
try. 1t is great fresh water morass lying
back from the sea, between Norfolk and
Albemare sound. 1t belongs to that group
Of inundated lands where the lack Of
drainage is due to an original deficiency Of
slope combined with the retarding influence
of vegetation on the movement Of the
water from the land. The coast from New
York southwest has the form of an ancient
sea-bottom, more or less modified by river
action. From the James river southwest
the elevations of the plain are still further
lowered. the incisive action of the streams
have yet further reduced it, leaving parts
of the surface in the form originally belong
ing to the sea bottom. This plain is sharply
bounded to the west by an escarpment
formed by the sea when the surface of the
continent was about twenty-eght feet be-
low it's present level This old sea bench,
to which DR.. Shaler, in his interesting ac-
count of fresh water morasses in the United
States, published in the Tenth Annual Re
port OF the Geological Survey, gives the
name of the "Nasemond Shore Line" ex-
tends from near Suffolk, Va, where it is
rather obscurely indicated. having been
somewhat effaced by erosion, southwark.
with extreme distinctness of the front to
Albemarle sound. The eastern boundary of
the swamp district is determined by certain
low elevations, apparently dune-like in their
nature. In its original condition before its
origin had been affected by tillage, the area
was considerably greater than 1t is at the
present time. The processes of artificial
drainage, of course, resulted in the reclama-
ton of large area. and the upper portion
of this geological drainage work was fin
iShed before the middle Of the present CEN
tury. In the last century the Dismal
Swamp Canal Company constructed a canal
in general western and southern direction
from the waters Of the James river to the
waters of the Albemarle sound near South
Mills. N. c. The result of this interference
with the natural drainage of the swamp has
been that the western section of the morass
is probably more flooded than 1t was before
the barrier was constructed, while the sec
ton to the east Of the canal, deprived Of
water which originally flowed into it. has
become partially desiccated.
Probably the most interesting feature in
the topography of the Dismal Swamp is the
presence of a large lake toward the west
ern end of the swamp Its origin has not
been definitely determined by physical
geographers DIR. Shaler is of the opinion
that it was formed in the following way:
The generally sloping platform on which the
Dismal Swamp rests evidently emerged
from the sea in somewhat rapid manner.
The absence of any marine bench on its
surface appears to be conclusive evidence
of this.
First. We may assume that the sterile
character of the soil would have prevented
the growth of forest trees and other plants
of a higher order over the greater part of
the plain. The growth of such plants would
naturally have begun on the periphery of
the district, either on the western border,
where the soil had already been formed. or
next TO the sea, where the humidity would
favor the growth of plants, even on barren
sand. The forest then probably advanced
toward the center of the field and the fall
ing trees and other entanglements would
serve to form an obstruction to the outflow
of water, and thus to retain the central
part or area in the condition of a shallow
lake. The area of this basin will be grad
ually narrowed by the growth of expresses
black gum and other trees which can MAIN
tain their roots below the level of perma-
nent water. The level of the water in Lake
Drummond has been raised until since the
construction or the canal. and the forest is
sun gaming upon the lake at several points
If DIR. Shalers views are accepted Lake
Drummond must be considered as belongings
to the type Of inclosed lakes which are Sc
common in the small morasses of glaciateo
areas. The vegetation exhibits a great di.
VerSlty over the entire area Of the swamp
which is estimated at between 800 and Os
square miles. The principal trees are those
winch are tolerant Of water about theii
roots. These are the bald cypress tunipe,
and black gum. There are also canes and
MOSES in great variety.
The reputation of Dismal Swamp Is thai
or gloomy and impenetrable region filled
with fever and malaria. and infested with
snakes and noxious animals
John Boyle O'Reilly, who spent some tim.
IN exploring the swamp, says: The Disma
swamp IS an agony of perverted nature. L
Is Andromeda, not waiting for the monster
Out already IN Its grasp, broken and silent
under the tntolerable embrace"
The lake was discovered in 1775 nv ,
Scotchman named Drummond, and afteJ
the revolution George Washington pur
chased the swamp and organized the Disma
| swamp Company, which still exists 1t wa.
| "ashlngton's idea to reclaim the swami
ana Tor this reason he cut the canal de
| scribed herein.
There are large number Of species NJ an
| imal life in the swamp, bears being abun
uant Deer are now rare, but are still occa
slonally Shot and wild horned CATTLE ar.
| FOUND within the limits of the swamp. Thee,
| cattle feed upon the tenderer shoots Of tn,
| canes. and dwell in considerable herds Rfr,
| me Is abundant, and the number of ser
| penis IS extraordinary at certain seasons %
| the year. Various bitches have been d,1.
| Tor draining the canal, and at present ac
| cess is obtained to Lake Drummond by Jer
| icho ditch. twelve miles long fifteen fee
| wide and three feet deep. The first sectio,
| OF the swamp Is comparatively omen bavint
Deen burnt off. Gradually the cane hrak,
| becomes thicker and the reedy growth re
| semples bamboo or papyrus, the banks o
| the dltch are for the most part very marshy
| the growth of young canes, holly and mis-
| tietoe Is notable. The water is OF a dee,
sherry color, and, strange to say, it is salt
| 10 De healthy to drink, probably owing I,
| the infusion OF juniper. The BLACK Gun
| swamp, TWO miles from Lake Drummond
IS most impressive, the trees being tall an,
/ set close together - ~NH