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Louisiana's marsh-swamp complex is criss-crossed by artificial waterways. The earliest type of canal excavated in the region was the traînasse, a trapping ditch hacked out by trapper-fisher folk to provide marsh access. Only wide enough to accommodate a pirogue, these passageways were used to explore the environment and represent the first large scale canalization of the marsh. New channels are added daily, but old ones are rarely filled. Once a traînasse is cut, it remains for years, often enlarging into a bayou. Many channels that began as pirogue trails evolved through repeated use, storms, and current flow into permanent features. The watercourses have affected drainage patterns, influenced salinities, and contributed to marsh deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the quantitative and qualitative consideration of the cultural forms, identity and distribution of house types in Louisiana. Detailed analysis of several houses for classification; Assessment on the constituent elements of the individual house; General classes of the house structure.