This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ...from the north-west, twelve hundred and fifty three miles from the Gulf, yet having been first explored, it received the name "Mississippi," which it has since retained throughout its entire oourse. If we regard the Missouri as a continuation of the Mississippi above the junction, the entire length will amount to about four thousand three hundred and fifty miles. Above the confluence of the two rivers, the waters of the Mississippi are remarkably clear; but after comringling with those of the Missouri, they become exceedingly turbid, and contain about four tenths of sedementary matter. The Missouri river, (" the Mud river,") which is the longest tributary stream in the world, has its source in the Rocky mountains, lat. 45 N., long. 110 W W. The springs whieh give rise to this turbulent river, are not more than a mile from the head waters of the Columbia, which flows westerly to the Pacific ocean. At a distance of four hundred and eleven miles from the source of the Missouri, are what are denominated the "Gates of the Rocky mountains." For a distance of nearly six miles, the rocks here rise perpendicularly from the water's edge to a height of one thousand two hundrod feet. The river here is about one hundred and fifty yards wide, and for the first three miles there is only one spot, and that of but a few yards in extent, on which a man could stand between the water and the perpendicular walls. At a distance of one hundred and ten miles below this, and two thousand five hundred and seventy-five miles above the mouth of the Missouri are the " Great Falls." Here the river descends by a succession of falls and rapids, three hundred and fiftyBiae fret in sixteen and a half miles. The perpendicular falls...