The History of Explorations in the Mississippi Valley.

The article discusses explorations of discovery and scientific expeditions of the Mississippi River Valley during the colonial period of the U.S. The author focuses particularly on the Indian tribes of North America that lived in the area, including the Shawnee, Dakotas, Sioux, Iowas, and Iroquois. The assignment of place names by early French, Spanish, and English explorers and trappers is considered. The author considers the reports of the expeditions led by French explorers Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Louis Jolliet, as well as Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto.