[Lewis, February 1, 1806]
 Saturday February 1st 1806.
 This morning a party of four men set out with Joseph Fields; Sergt.
 Gass with a party of five men again set out up the Netul river in surch
 of the Elk which had been killed some days since, and which could not
 be found in consequence of the snow. The Canoes of the natives
 inhabiting the lower portion of the Columbia River make their canoes
 remarkably neat light and well addapted for riding high waves. I have
 seen the natives near the coast riding waves in these canoes with
 safety and apparently without concern where I should have thought it
 impossible for any vessel of the same size to lived a minute. they are
 built of whitecedar or Arborvita generally, but sometimes of the firr.
 they are cut out of a solid stick of timber, the gunwals at the upper
 edge foald over outwards and are about 5/8 of an inch thick and 4 or
 five broad, and stand horrizontally forming a kind of rim to the canoe
 to prevent the water beating into it. they are all furnished with more
 or less crossbars in proportion to the size of the canoe. these bars
 are round sticks about half the size of a man's arm, which are incerted
 through holes (just) made in either side of the canoe just below the
 rim of the gunwall and are further secured with strings of waytape;
 these crossbars serve to lift and manage the canoe on land. when the
 natives land they invariably take their canoes on shore, unless they
 are heavily laden, and then even, if they remain all night, they
 discharge their loads and take the canoes on shore. some of the large
 canoes are upwards of 50 feet long and will carry from 8 to 10 thousand
 lbs. or from 20 to thirty persons and some of them particularly on the
 sea coast are waxed painted and ornimented with curious images at bough
 and Stern; those images sometimes rise to the hight of five feet; the
 pedestals on which these immages are fixed are sometimes cut out of the
 solid stick with the canoe, and the imagary is formed of seperate small
 peices of timber firmly united with tenants and motices without the
 assistance of a single spike of any kind. when the natives are engaged
 in navigating their canoes one sets in the stern and steers with a
 paddle the others set by pears and paddle over the gunwall next them,
 they all kneel in the bottom of the canoe and set on their feet. their
 paddles are of a uniform shape of which this is an imitation these
 paddles are made very thin and the middle of the blade is thick and
 hollowed out siddonly and made thin at the sides while the center forms
 a kind of rib. the blade occupys about one third of the length of the
 paddle which is usually from 41/2 to 5 feet. I have observed four forms
 of canoe only in uce among the nations below the grand chatarac of this
 river they are as follow. this is the smallest size about 15 feet long
 and calculated for one or two persons, and are most common among the
 Cathlahmahs and Wack ki a cums among the marshey Islands. A the bow; B,
 the stern; these are from twenty to thirty five feet and from two 1/2
 to 3 feet in the beam and about 2 feet in the hole; this canoe is
 common to all the nations below the grand rappids. it is here made
 deeper and shorter in proportion than they really are.--the bowsprit
 from C, to D is brought to a sharp edge tapering gradually from the
 sides.
 This is the most common forms of the canoe in uce among the Indians
 from; the Chil-luck-kit-te-quaw inclusive to the Ocean and is usually
 about 30 or 35 feet long, and will carry from ten to twelve persons. 4
 men are competent to carry them a considerable distance say a mile
 without resting. A is the end which they use as the bow, but which on
 first sight I took to be the stern C. D. is a comb cut of the sollid
 stick with the canoe and projects from the center of the end of the
 canoe being about 1 inch thirck it's sides parallel and edge at C D.
 sharp. it is from 9 to 11 Inches in length and extends from the
 underpart of the bowsprit at A to the bottom of the canoe at D.--the
 stern B. is mearly rounding and graduly ascending. 1 2 3 represents the
 rim of the gunwalls about 4 Inches wide, reather ascending as they
 recede from the canoe. 4 5 6 7 8 are the round holes through which the
 cross bars are inserted.
 This form of canoe we did not meet with untill we reached tidewater or
 below the grand rappids. from thence down it is common to all the
 nations but more particularly the Killamucks and others of the coast.
 these are the largest canoes. B. is the bow and comb. C. the stern and
 comb. their immages are representations of a great variety of grotesque
 figures, any of which might be safely worshiped without committing a
 breach of the commandments.
 They have but few axes among them, and the only too usually imployed in
 felling the trees or forming the canoe, carving &c is a chissel formed
 of an old file about an Inch or an Inch and a half broad. this chissel
 has sometimes a large block of wood for a handle; they grasp the
 chissel just below the block with the right hand holding the edge down
 while with the left they take hold of the top of the block and strike
 backhanded against the wood with the edge of the chissel. a person
 would suppose that the forming of a large canoe with an instrument like
 this was the work of several years; but these people make them in a few
 weeks. they prize their canoes very highly; we have been anxious to
 obtain some of them, for our journey up the river but have not been
 able to obtain one as yet from the natives in this neighbourhood.-
 today we opened and examined all our ammunition, which had been secured
 in leaden canesters. we found twenty seven of the best rifle powder, 4
 of common rifle, three of glaized and one of the musqut powder in good
 order, perfectly as dry as when first put in the canesters, altho the
 whole of it from various accedents has been for hours under the water.
 these cannesters contain four lbs. of powder each and 8 of lead. had it
 not have been for that happy expedient which I devised of securing the
 powder by means of the lead, we should not have had a single charge of
 powder at this time. three of the canesters which had been accedentally
 bruized and cracked, one which was carelessly stoped, and a fifth that
 had been penetrated with a nail, were a little dammaged; these we gave
 to the men to make dry; however exclusive of those five we have an
 abundant stock to last us back; and we always take care to put a
 proportion of it in each canoe, to the end that should one canoe or
 more be lost we should still not be entirely bereft of ammunition,
 which is now our only hope for subsistence and defence in a rout of
 4000 miles through a country exclusively inhabited by savages.
 
 
 [Clark, February 1, 1806]
 Saturday February 1st 1806
 This morning a party of four men Set out with Jo. Field; and Sergt.
 Gass with a party of five men again Set out up the Netul river in Serch
 of the Elk which had been killed Some days since, and which Could not
 be found in Consequence of the Snow.
 The Canoes of the nativs inhabitting the lower part of the Columbia
 River from the Long narrows down make their canoes remarkably neat
 light and well addapted for rideing high waves. I have Seen the nativs
 near the Coast rideing waves in these Canoes in Safty and appearantly
 without Concern when I Should it impossible for any vessel of the Same
 Size to have lived or kept above water a minute. they are built of
 Arborvitia or white Cedar generally, but Sometimes of fir. they are cut
 out of a solid Stick of timber, the gunnals at the upper edge fold over
 outwards and are about 5/8 of an inch thick and 4 or 5 broad, and Stand
 out nearly Horizontially forming a kind of rim to the Canoe to prevent
 the water beating into it. they are all furnished with more or less
 Cross bars agreeably to thier sizes of the Canoe, those bars are round
 Sticks about 1 inch and 1/2 diameter which are atached to the iner Side
 of the canoes a little below the rim on either Side with throngs of
 Cedar bark which is incerted through holes and made fast to the ends of
 the Stick, which is made Smaller than the other part of the Stick to
 prevent the cord Slipping off these cross bears Serve to Strengthen the
 canoe, and by which they lift and manage her on land. when the nativs
 land they invariably take their Canoes on Shore unless they are heavily
 ladined, and then even, if they remain all night, they discharge their
 loads and take the Canoe on Shore.
 Some of the large Canoes are upwards of 50 feet long and will Carry
 from 8 to 12 thousand lbs. or from 20 to 30 persons, and Some of them
 particularly on the Sea Coast are waxed painted and ornimented with
 curious images on bow and Stern; those images sometimes rise to the
 hight of five feet; the pedestile on which these images are fixed, are
 Sometimes cut out of the Solid Stick with the Canoe, and the image is
 formed of Seperate pieces of timber firmly united with tenants and
 mortices without the appearance of a Single Spike or nail of any kind.
 when the nativs are engaged in navigateing their Canoes, one Sets in
 the Stern and Stears with a paddle the others Set by pars and paddle
 over their gunnals next them, they all kneel in the bottom of the Canoe
 and Set on their feet. their paddles are of an uniform shape which this
 is an imitation those paddles are made verry thin and the middle of the
 blade is thick and hollowed out Suddenly, and made thin on the Sides,
 the center forming a kind of ridge. the handle occupies about 1/8 of
 the length of the paddle which is usually 4 to 41/2 feet in length. I
 have observed five forms of Canoes only in use among the nativs below
 the Grand Cataract of this river. they areas follows. this is the
 Smallest Size about 15 feet long, 12 and Calculated for one two men
 mearly to cross creeks, take over Short portages to navagate the ponds
 and Still water, and is mostly in use amongst the Clatsops and
 Chinnooks. this is the next Smallest and from 16 to 20 feet long and
 calculated for two or 3 persons and are most common among the
 Wau-ki-a-cums and Cath-lah-mahs among the marshey Islands, near their
 villages. A the bow; B the Stern; those are from 20 to 40 feet in
 length and from 21/2 to 31/2 feet in the beam and about 2 feet deep;
 this Canoe is common to all the nations below the grand Rapids it here
 made deeper and Shorter in pertotion than the Canoe realy is, the bow
 sprit from C. to D. is brought to a Sharp edge tapering gradually from
 the Sides. This is the most common form of the Canoes in use among the
 indians from the Chil-luck-kit-te quaw inclusive to the ocian and is
 commonly from about 30 to 35 feet long, and will carry from 10 to 12
 persons. 4 men are competent to carry them a considerable distance Say
 a mile without resting. A is the end the nativs use as the bow, but
 which on first Sight I took to be the Stern c. d. is a comb cut of the
 solid wood with the Canoe, and projects from the Center of the end of
 the Canoe being about 1 inch thick, it's Sides parallel and edge at c,
 d, Sharp it is from 9 to 11 inches in debth and extends from the under
 part of the bow sprit at A to the bottom at, d,. the Stern B is nearly
 rounding and gradually assending. 1, 2, 3, represents the rim of the
 gunnals about 4 inches wide, reather ascending as they recede from the
 Canoe. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, are the holes through which the String pass to
 fasten the round pieces which pass Crosswise the Canoe to Strengthen &
 lift her. This form of a canoe we did not meet with untill we reached
 tide water or below the Great Rapids. from thence down it is common to
 all the nations but more particularly the Kil a mox and others of the
 Coast. these are the largest Canoes, I measured one at the Kilamox
 villag S S W of us which was ____ feet long ____ feet wide and ____
 feet deep, and they are most Commonly about that Size. B is the how,
 and Comb. C, the stern and Comb. Their images are representations of a
 great variety of grotesque figures, any of which might be Safely
 worshiped without commiting a breach of the Commandments.
 They have but fiew axes among them, and the only tool usially employd
 in forming the Canoe, carveing &c is a chissel formed of an old file
 about an inch or 11/2 inchs broad, this chissel has Sometimes a large
 block of wood for a handle; they grasp the chissel just below the block
 with the right hand holding the top of the block, and Strikes backwards
 against the wood with the edge of the Chissel. a person would Suppose
 that forming a large Canoe with an enstriment like this was the work of
 Several years; but those people make them in a fiew weeks. They prize
 their Canoes very highly; we have been anxious to obtain Some of them,
 for our journy up the river but have not been able to obtain one as yet
 from the nativs in this neighbourhood.
 To day we opened and examined all our Ammunition, which has been
 Secured in leaden Canistirs. we found twenty Sevin of the best Rifle
 powder, 4 of Common rifle, 3 of Glaize and one of Musquet powder in
 good order, perfectly as dry as when first put in the Canisters, altho
 the whole of it from various accidince have been for hours under the
 water. these Cannisters Contain 4 pounds of powder each and 8 of Lead.
 had it not been for that happy expedient which Capt Lewis devised of
 Securing the powder by means of the Lead, we Should have found great
 dificuelty in keeping dry powder untill this time-; those Cannisters
 which had been accidently brused and cracked, one which was carelessly
 Stoped, and a fifth which had been penetrated with a nail; were wet and
 damaged; those we gave to the men to Dry; however exclusive of those 5
 we have an abundant Stock to last us back; and we always take Care to
 put a purpotion of it in each canoe, to the end that Should one Canoe
 or more be lost we Should Still not be entirely bereft of ammunition,
 which is now our only hope for Subsistance and defences in the rout of
 4,000 miles through a Country exclusively inhabited by Indians-many
 bands of which are Savage in every Sense of the word-.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 2, 1806]
 Sunday February 2cd 1806.
 Not any occurrence today worthy of notice; but all are pleased, that
 one month of the time which binds us to Fort Clatsop and which
 seperates us from our friends has now elapsed. one of the games of
 amusement and wrisk of the Indians of this neighbourhood like that of
 the Sosones consists in hiding in the hand some small article about the
 size of a bean; this they throw from one hand to the other with great
 dexterity accompanying their opperations with a particular song which
 seems to have been addapted to the game; when the individul who holds
 the peice has amused himself sufficiently by exchanging it from one
 hand to the other, he hold out his hands for his compettitors to guess
 which hand contains the peice; if they hit on the hand which contains
 the peice they win the wager otherwise loose. the individual who holds
 the peice is a kind of banker and plays for the time being against all
 the others in the room; when he has lost all the property which he has
 to venture, or thinks proper at any time, he transfers the peice to
 some other who then also becoms banker. The Sosone and Minnetares &c
 have a game of a singular kind but those divide themselves in two
 parties and play for a common wager to which each individual
 contributes to form the stock of his party. one of them holdes the
 peice and some one of the opposite party gesses which hand contains if
 he hits on the hand which contains it the peice is transferred to the
 opposite party and the victor counts one, if he misses the party still
 retain the peice and score one but the individual tranfers the peice to
 some other of his own party; the game is set to any number they think
 proper, and like the natives of this quarter they always accompany
 their opperations with a particular song. the natives here have also
 another game which consists in bowling some small round peices about
 the size of Bacgammon men, between two small upright sticks placed a
 few inches asunder, but the principals of the game I have not learn not
 understanding their language sufficiently to obtain an explanation.
 their boys amuse themselves with their bows and arrows as those do of
 every Indian nation with which I am acquainted. these people are
 excessively fond of their games of risk and bet freely every species of
 property of which they are possessed. They have a smal dog which they
 make usefull only in hunting the Elk.
 
 
 [Clark, February 2, 1806]
 Sunday February 2nd 1806
 Not any accurrence to day worthy of notice; but all are pleased, that
 one month of the time which binds us to fort Clatsop, and which
 Seperates us from our friends, has now alapsed.
 The games of amusements of the natives of this neighbourhood are
 Several, one of which is verry similar to one which the Sosone's &
 Minatare's are verry fond of and frequently play. they devide
 themselves into two parties and play for a common wager to which each
 individual Contributes to form the Stock of his party, one of them
 holdes the piece which is usually about the Size of a Bean, and Some
 one of the oposit party gesses which hand Contains, if he hits on the
 hand which Contains it, the piece is transfired to the opposit party
 and the victor Counts one, if he misses the party Still retains the
 piece and scores one, but the individual transfirs the piece to Some
 one of his own party; the game is Set to any number they think proper.
 they always accompany their opperations with a particular Song. The
 amusements of the boys of all nations which I am acquainted with are
 generally the Bows and arrows.
 All nations of Indians with which I am acquainted are excessive fond of
 their games of risk, and bet away Species of property of which they are
 possessed.
 The nativs of this neighbourhood have a Small Dog which they make
 usefull only in hunting the Elk.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 3, 1806]
 Monday February 3rd 1806.
 About three o'clock Drewyer and La Page, returned; Drewyer had killed
 seven Elk in the point below us, several miles distant but can be
 approached with in 3/4 of a mile with canoes by means of a small creek
 which discharges itself into the bay on this side of the Clatsop
 village direct Sergt. pryor to go in quest of the meat, the wind was so
 high that they were unable to set out untill a little before sunset,
 when they departed; at 10 P.M. they return excessively could and
 informed us that they could not make land on this side of the bay nor
 get into the creek in consequence of the tide being out and much lower
 than usual. we are apprehensive that the Clatsops who know where the
 meat is will rob us of a part if not the whole of it. at half after 4
 P.M. Sergt Gass returned with his party, they brought with them the
 flesh of four other Elk which the hunters had found, being a part of
 the ten which were killed up the Netul river the other day. he left R.
 Fields, Shannon and Labuish to continue the hunt and made an
 appointment to return to them on Friday. late in the evening the four
 men who had been sent to assist the saltmakers in transporting meat
 which they had killed to their camp, also returned, and brought with
 them all the salt which had been made, consisting of about one busshel
 only. with the means we have of boiling the salt water we find it a
 very tedious opperation, that of making salt, notwithstanding we keep
 the kettles boiling day and night. we calculate on three bushels
 lasting us from hence to our deposits of that article on the Missouri.
 
 
 [Clark, February 3, 1806]
 Monday February 3rd 1806
 About 3 oClock Drewyer & Lapage returned, Drewyer had killed Seven Elk
 in the point below us, Several miles distant, but Can be approached
 within 3/4 of a mile with Canoes by means of a Small Creak which
 discharges itself into the Bay, on this Sid of the Clatsop Village.
 Directed Serjt. Pryor to go in quest of the meat, the winds was So high
 that they were unable to Set out until) a little before Sunset, when
 they departed; at 10 P.M. they returned excessively Cold and informed
 us that they could not make land on this Side of the bay or get into
 the Creek in consequence of the tides being out and much lower than
 usial. we are apprehensive that the Clatsops knowing where the meat is,
 will rob us of a part if not the whole of it. at half after 4 P. M
 Sergt. Gass returned with his party they brought with them the flesh of
 4 other Elk which the hunters had found, being part of the 10 which
 were killed up the Netul river the other day. He left Ro. Field,
 Shannon & Labiesh to Continue the hunt, and made an appointment to
 return to them on friday. late in the evening the four men who had been
 Sent to assist the Saltmakers in transporting meat which they had
 killed to their Camp also returned, and brought with them all the Salt
 which had been made, consisting of about one Sushel only. with the
 means we have of boiling the Salt water we find it a very tegious
 opperation that of makeing Salt, notwithstanding the Kitties are kept
 boiling day and night. we Calculate on three bushels lasting us from
 hiere to our deposit of that article on the Missouri.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 4, 1806]
 Tuesday February 4th 1806.
 Sergt. Pryor with a party of five men set out again in quest of the Elk
 which Drewyer had killed. Drewyer and La Page also returned to continue
 the chase in the same quarter. the Elk are in much better order in the
 point near the praries than they are in the woody country arround us or
 up the Netul. in the praries they feed on grass and rushes,
 considerable quantities of which are yet green and succulet. in the
 woody country their food is huckle berry bushes, fern, and an evergreen
 shrub which resembles the lore) in some measure; the last constitutes
 the greater part of their food and grows abundantly through all the
 timbered country, particularly the hillsides and more broken parts of
 it. There are sveral species of fir in this neighbourhood which I shall
 discribe as well as my slender botanicall skit will enable me and for
 the convenience of comparison with each other shal number them. (No 1.)
 a species which grows to immence size; very commonly 27 feet in the
 girth six feet above the surface of the earth, and in several instances
 we have found them as much as 36 feet in the girth or 12 feet diameter
 perfectly solid and entire. they frequently rise to the hight of 230
 feet, and one hundred and twenty or 30 of that hight without a limb.
 this timber is white and soft throughout and rives better than any
 other species which we have tryed. the bark skales off in irregula
 rounded flakes and is of a redish brown colour particularly of the
 younger growth. the stem of this tree is simple branching, ascending,
 not very defuse, and proliferous. the leaf of this tree is acerose,
 1/10th of an Inch in width, and 3/4 of an Inch in length; is firm, stif
 and accuminate; they are triangular, a little declining, thickly
 scattered on all sides of the bough, but rispect the three uppersides
 only and are also sessile growing from little triangular pedestals of
 soft spungy elastic bark. at the junction of the boughs, the bud-scales
 continue to incircle their rispective twigs for several yeas; at least
 three years is common and I have counted as many as the growth of four
 years beyond these scales. this tree affords but little rosin. it's
 cone I have not yet had an opportunity to discover altho I have sought
 it frequently; the trees of this kind which we have felled have had no
 cones on them.
 
 
 [Clark, February 4, 1806]
 Tuesday February 4th 1806
 Serjt. Pryor with a party of 5 men Set out again in quest of the Elk
 which Drewyer had Killed. Drewyer also returned to continue the Chase
 in the Same quarter. the Elk are in much better order in the point near
 the praries than they are in the woodey Country around us or up the
 Netul. in the praries they feed on grass and rushes, which are yet
 green. in the woddey Countrey their food is huckleberry bushes, fern,
 and the Shal-lon an evergreen Shrub, which resembles the Lorel in Some
 measure; the last constitutes the greater part of their food and grows
 abundant through all the timbered Country, particularly the hill Sides
 and more broken parts of it. There are Several Species of Fir in this
 neighbourhood which I shall discribe as well as my botanicale Skill
 will enable me, and for the Convenience of Comparrison with each other
 Shall number them. (No. i,) a Species which grows to an emence size;
 verry commonly 27 feet in Surcumferonce at 6 feet above the surface of
 the earth, and in Several instances we have found them as much as 36
 feet in the Girth, or 12 feet Diameter perfectly Solid & entire. they
 frequently rise to the hight of 230 feet, and 120 or 30 of that hight
 without a limb. this timber is white and Soft throughout and rives
 better than any other Species we have tried the bark Shales off in
 arregular rounded flakes and is of a redish brown Colour, particularly
 of the younger growth, the Stem of this tree is simple branching,
 assending, not very defuse, and proliferous, the leaf of this tree is
 accerose 1/2 a line in width, and 3/4 of an inch in length; is firm
 Stiff and accuminate; they are triangular, little declineing, thickly
 scattered on all Sides of the Bough, but respect the three upper Sides
 only Growing from little triangular pedistals of Soft Spungy Elastic
 bark. at the junction of these bough's, the bud-scales continue to
 incircle the respective twigs for several years; at least 3 years is
 common and I have counted as maney as the groth of 4 years beyond these
 Scales. this tree affords but little rozin. it's cone I have not yet
 had an oppertunity to discover altho I have Sought it frequently; the
 trees of this kind which we have fell'd have had no cones on them.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 5, 1806]
 Wednesday February 5th 1806.
 Late this evening one of the hunters fired his gun over the swamp of
 the Netul opposite to the fort and hooped. I sent sergt. Gass and a
 party of men over; the tide being in, they took advantage of a little
 creek which makes up in that direction nearly to the highlands, and in
 their way fortunately recovered our Indian Canoe, so long lost and much
 lamented. The Hunter proved to be Reubin Fields, who reported that he
 had killed six Elk on the East side of the Netul a little above us; and
 that yesterday he had heard Shannon and Labuishe fire six or seven
 shots after he had seperated from them and supposed that they had also
 killed several other Elk. Filds brought with him a phesant which
 differed but little from those common to the Atlantic states; it's
 brown is reather brighter and more of a redish tint. it has eighteen
 feathers in the tale of about six inches in length. this bird is also
 booted as low as the toes. the two tufts of long black feathers on each
 side of the neck most conspicuous in the male of those of the Atlantic
 states is also observable in every particular with this.--Fir No. 2 is
 next in dignity in point of size. it is much the most common species,
 it may be sad to constitute at least one half of the timber in this
 neighbourhood. it appears to be of the spruse kind. it rises to the
 hight of 160 to 180 feet very commonly and is from 4 to 6 feet in
 diameter, very streight round and regularly tapering. the bark is thin
 of a dark colour, and much divided with small longitudinal
 intersticies; that of the boughs and young trees is somewhat smoth but
 not so much so as the balsom fir nor that of the white pine of our
 country. the wood is white throughout and reather soft but very tough,
 and difficult to rive. The trunk of this tree is a simple branching
 diffused stem and not proliferous as the pines & firs usially are but
 like most other trees it puts forth buds from the sides of the small
 boughs as well as their extremities. the stem usually terminates in a
 very slender pointed top like the cedar. The leaves are petiolate, the
 footstalk small short and oppressed; acerose reather more than half a
 line in width and very unequal in length, the greatest length being
 little more than half an inch, while others intermixed on every part of
 the bough are not more than a 1/4 in length. flat with a small
 longitudinal channel in the upper disk which is of a deep green and
 glossey, while the uder disk is of a whiteish green only; two ranked,
 obtusely pointed, soft and flexable. this tree affords but little
 rosin. the cone is remarkably small not larger than the end of a man's
 thumb soft, flexable and of an ovate form, produced at the ends of the
 small twigs.
 
 
 [Clark, February 5, 1806]
 Wednesday February 5th 1806
 Late this evening one of the hunters fired off his gun over the marsh
 of the Netul opposit to the fort & hhoped. we Sent Sergt. Gass and a
 party of men over; the tide being in they took advantage of a little
 Creek which makes up in that direction nearly to the high lands, and in
 their way fortunately recovered our Indian Canoe So long lost and much
 lamented. The hunter provd. to be Reubin Field, who reported that he
 had killed Six Elk on the East Side of the Netul a little above us; and
 that he had parted with Shannon and Labiesh yesterday after he had herd
 them fire Six or Seven Shot after he had Seperated from them, and
 Supposed that they had also killed Several other Elk. Fields brought
 with him a Pheasant which differs but little from those Common to the
 United States--Fur No. 2 is next in dignity in point of Size. it is
 much the most common Species, it may be Said to Constitute one half of
 the timber of this neigh-bourhood. it appears to be of the Spruce kind.
 it rises to the higth of 160 or 180 feet very Commonly and is from 4 to
 6 feet in diameter, very Streight round and regularly tapering. the
 bark is thin of a dark colour, and much divided with Small longitudinal
 interstices; that of the boughs and young trees are Somewhat Smoth but
 not So much so as the balsom fir, nor that of the white pine of our
 Countrey. the wood is white throughout and rather Soft but rather tough
 and dificuelt to rive. The trunk of this tree is Simple branching,
 deffused Stem and not proliferous as the pine and fir usially are, but
 like most other trees it puts foth buds from the Sides of the Small
 boughes as well as from their extremities. the Stem usially termonate
 in a very slender pointed top like the Cedar. The leaves are petiolate,
 the footstalk Small Short and oppressed; acerose reather more than 1/2
 a line in wedth and very uneaqual in length, the greatest length being
 a little more than half an inch, while others intermixed on every part
 of the bough are not more than a 1/4 of an inch in length. flat with a
 Small longitudinal channel in the upper disk which is of a Deep green
 and glossy, while the under disk is of a whitish green only; two
 ranked, obtusely pointed, Soft and flexable. this tree affords but
 little rosin. the Cone is remarkably Small, not larger than the end of
 a mans thumb Soft, flexable and of an oval form, produced at the end of
 a Small twig.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 6, 1806]
 Thursday February 6th 1806.
 Sent Sergts. Gass and Ordway this morning with R. Fields and a party of
 men to bring in the Elk which Field had killed. Late in the evening
 Sergt. Pryor returned with the flesh of about 2 Elk and 4 skins the
 Indians having purloined the ballance of seven Elk which Drewyer killed
 the other day. I find that there are 2 vilages of Indians living on the
 N. side of the Columbia near the Marshy Islands who call themselves
 Wackki-a-cum. these I have hertofore Considered as Cath-lah-mahs. they
 speak the same language and are the same in every other rispect.
 No. 3 A species of fir which one of my men informs me is precisely the
 same with that called the balsam fir of Canada. it grows here to
 considerable size, being from 21/2 to 4 feet in diameter and rises to
 the hight of eighty or an hundred feet. it's stem is simple branching,
 ascending and proliferous. it's leaves are sessile, acerose, one 1/8 of
 an inch in 1/16th of an inch in width, thickly scattered on all sides
 of the twigs as far as the growth of four preceeding years and rispect
 the three undersides only the uper side being neglected and the under
 side but thinly furnished; gibbous, a little declining, obtusely
 pointed, soft flexible, and the upper disk longitudinally marked with a
 slight channel; this disk is of a glossy deep green, the under one
 green tho paler and not glossy. this tree affords considerable
 quantities of a fine clear arromatic balsam in appearance and taste
 like the Canadian balsam. smal pustules filled with this balsam rise
 with a blister like appearance on the body of the tree and it's
 branches; the bark which covers these pustules is soft thin smoth and
 easily punctured. the bark of the tree generally is thin of a dark
 brown colour and reather smooth tho not as much so as the white pine of
 our county. the wood is white and soft.--(No. 4) is a species of fir
 which in point of size is much that of No. 2. the stem simple branching
 ascending and proliferous; the bark of a redish dark brown and thicker
 than that of No. 3. it is divided with small longitudinal interstices,
 but these are not so much ramifyed as in species No. 2. the leaves with
 rispect to their position in regard to each other is the same with the
 balsam fir, as is the leaf in every other rispect except that it not
 more than 2/3ds the width and little more than half the length of the
 other, nor is it's upper disk of so deep a green nor so glossey. it
 affords no balsam and but little rosin. the wood also white soft and
 reather porus tho tough.--No 5. is a species of fir which arrives to
 the size of Nos. 2 and 4, the stem simple branching, diffuse and
 proliferous. the bark thin, dark brown, much divided with small
 longitudinal interstices and sometimes scaleing off in thin rolling
 flakes. it affords but little rosin and the wood is redish white 2/3ds
 of the diameter in the center, the ballance white, somewhat porus and
 tough. the twigs are much longer and more slender than in either of the
 other species. the leaves are acerose, 1/20th of an inch in width, and
 an inch in length, sessile, inserted on all sides of the bough,
 streight, their extremities pointing obliquely toward the extremities
 of the bough and more thickly placed than in either of the other
 species; gibbous and flexeable but more stif than any except No. 1 and
 more blontly pointed than either of the other species; the upper disk
 has a small longitudinal channel and is of a deep green tho not so
 glossy as the balsam fir, the under disk is of a pale green.--No. 65
 the white pine; or what is usually so called in Virginia. I see no
 difference between this and that of the mountains in Virginia; unless
 it be the uncommon length of cone of this found here, which are
 sometimes 16 or 18 inches in length and about 4 inches in
 circumpherence. I do not recollect those of virginia perfectly but it
 strikes me that they are not so long. this species is not common I have
 only seen it but in one instance since I have been in this
 neighbourhood which was on the border of Haley's bay on the N. side of
 the Columbia near the Ocean.
 
 
 [Clark, February 6, 1806]
 Thursday February 6th 1806
 Sent Serjt. Gass and party this morning with Ru Field to bring in the
 Elk which Field had killed. late in the evening Serjt. Pryor returned
 with the fish of about 2 Elk and four skins the Indians haveing taken
 the ballance of Seven Elk which Drewyer killed the other day. I find
 that those people will all Steal.
 No. 3 a Species of fir, which one of my men inform me is presisely the
 Same with that called the balsam fir of Canada. it grows here to
 considerable Size, being from 21/2 to 4 feet in diameeter and rises to
 the hight of 100 or 120 feet. it's Stem is Simple branching assending
 and proliferous-. it's leaves are cessile, acerose, 1/8 of an inch in
 length and 1/16 of an inch in width, thickly scattered on all Sides of
 the twigs as far as the groth of four proceeding years, and respects
 the three undersides only, the upper Side being neglected and the under
 Side but thinly furnished; gibbous a little declineing, obtusely
 pointed, Soft flexable, and the upper disk longitudinally marked with a
 Slight Channel; this disk is of a glossy deep green, the under one
 green tho paler and not glossy. This tree affords a considerable
 quantity of a fine Clear arromatic Balsom in appearance and taste like
 the Canadian balsom. Small pustuls filled with the balsom rise with a
 blister like appearance on the body of the tree and it's branches; the
 bark which covers these pustules is Soft thin Smothe and easily
 punctured. the bark of the tree is generally thin of a dark brown
 colour and reather Smooth tho not as much so as the white pine of the
 U. States the wood is white and Soft.
 No. 4 a Species of fir which in point of Size is much that of No 2,-.
 the Stem Simple branching assending and proliferous; the bark of a
 redish dark brown and thicker than that of No. 3. it is devided with
 Small longitudinal interstices, but these are not So much ramefied as
 in the Specis No. 2. the leaves with respect to their possition in
 reguard to each other is the Same with the balsam fir, as is the leaf
 in every other respect than that, it is not more than 2/3ds the width
 and little more than half the length of the other, nor is it's upper
 disk of so deep a green nor glossy. it affords no balsam, and but
 little rosin. the wood also white Soft and reather porus tho tough-.-
 No. 5 is a species of fir which arives to the Size of No. 2, and No. 4.
 the Stem Simple branching, diffuse and proliferous. the bark thin dark
 brown, much divided with Small longitudinal interstices scaleing off in
 thin rolling flakes. it affords but little rosin and the wood is redish
 white 2/3ds of the diamieter in the Center the ballance white Somewhat
 porus and tough. the twigs are much longer and more slender than in
 either of the other speceies. the leaves are acerose 1/20 of an inch in
 width, and an inch in length, sessile, inserted on all Sides of the
 bough, Streight, their extremities pointing obliquely towards the
 extremities of the bough and more thickly placed than in either of the
 other Species; gibbous and flexable but more stiff than any except No.
 1 and more blontly pointed than either of the other Species; the upper
 disk has a Small longitudinal Channel and is of a deep green tho not so
 Glossy as the balsam fir, the under disk is of a pail green. No. 6 the
 White pine; or what is usially So Called in Virginia. I see no
 difference between this and that of the mountains in Virginia; unless
 it be the uncommon length of the cone of this found here, which are
 Sometimes 16 or 18 inches in length and about 4 inches in Surcumfrance.
 I do not recollect those of Virginia, but it Strikes me that they are
 not So long. this Species is not common I have Seen it only in three
 instances since I have been in this neighbourhood, I saw a few on
 Haleys bay on the North Side of the Columbia River, a fiew scattering
 on the Sea coast to the North on one of which I engraved my name-and
 Some on the S S E Side of E co la Creek near the Kil a mox nation, at
 which place I Saw the white & red Cedar
 
 
 [Lewis, February 7, 1806]
 Friday February 7th 1806.
 This evening Sergt. Ordway and Wiser returned with a part of the meat
 which R. Fields had killed; the ballance of the party with Sergt. Gass
 remained in order to bring the ballance of the meat to the river at a
 point agreed on where the canoe is to meet them again tomorrow morning.
 This evening we had what I call an excellent supper it consisted of a
 marrowbone a piece and a brisket of boiled Elk that had the appearance
 of a little fat on it. this for Fort Clatsop is living in high stile.
 In this neighbourhood I observe the honeysuckle common in our country I
 first met with it on the waters of the Kooskooske near the Chopunnish
 nation, and again below the grand rappids In the Columbian Valley on
 tidewater. The Elder also common to our country grows in great
 abundance in the rich woodlands on this side of the rocky Mountains;
 tho it differs Here in the colour of it's berry, this being of a pale
 sky blue while that of the U States is a deep perple. The seven bark or
 nine-bark as it is called in the U States is also common in this
 quarter. There is a species of huckleberry common to the piny lands
 from the commencement of the Columbian valley to the seacoast; it rises
 to the hight of 6 or 8 feet. is a simple branching some what defuse
 stem; the main body or trunk is cilindric and of a dark brown, while
 the colateral branches are green smooth, squar, and put forth a number
 of alternate branches of the same colour and form from the two
 horizontal sides only. the fruit is a small deep perple berry which the
 natives inform us is very good. the leaf is thin of a pale green and
 small being 3/4 of an inch in length and 3/8 in width; oval
 terminateing more accutely at the apex than near the insertion of the
 footstalk which is at the base; veined, nearly entire, serrate but so
 slightly so that it is scarcely perceptible; footstalk short and there
 position with rispect to each other is alternate and two ranked,
 proceeding from the horizontal sides of the bough only. The small pox
 has distroyed a great number of the natives in this quarter. it
 prevailed about 4 years since among the Clatsops and distroy several
 hundred of them, four of their chiefs fell victyms to it's ravages.
 those Clatsops are deposited in their canoes on the bay a few miles
 below us. I think the late ravages of the small pox may well account
 for the number of remains of vilages which we find deserted on the
 river and Sea coast in this quarter.
 
 
 [Clark, February 7, 1806]
 Friday February 7th 1806
 This evening Serjt Ordway and wiser returned with a part of the meat
 which R. Field had killed; the balance of the Party with Serjt. Gass
 remained in order to bring the ballance of the meat to the river at a
 point agreeed on, where the Canoe is to meet them again tomorrow
 morning. This evening we had what I call an excellent supper it
 consisted of a marrowbone, a piece of brisket of boiled Elk that had
 the appearance of a little fat on it. this for Fort Clatsop is liveing
 in high Stile, and in fact fiesting-.
 In this neighbourhood I observe the honeysuckle common in the U States,
 I first met with it on the waters of the Kooskooske near the Chopunnish
 Nation, and again below the grand rapids in the Columbian Vally on tide
 water. The Elder also common to our Countrey grows in great abundance
 in the rich wood land on this Side of the rocky mountains, tho it
 differs here in the Colour of its berry, this being of a pale Sky blue
 while that of the U, States is a deep purple. The Seven or nine bark as
 it is called in the U, States is also Common in this quarter. There is
 a Species of huckkleberry Common to the piney lands from the
 Commencement of the Columbian Vally to the Sea coast; it rises to the
 hight of 6 or 8 feet, is a Simple branching, Somewhat defused Stem; the
 main body or trunk is cilindric branches are green Smothe squar, and
 put foth a number of alternet branches of the Same Colour and form from
 the two horizontal Sides only. the frute is a small deep purple berry
 which the nativs inform us is very good, the leaf is thin of a pale
 green and Small being 3/4 of an inch in length and 3/8 in width; oval
 terminateing more accoutely at the apax, than near the insersion of the
 footstalk which is at the base vened nearly entire; footstalks Short
 and their position in respect to each other is alternate and too
 ranked, proceeding from the horizontal Side of the bough only.
 The Small Pox had distroyed a great number of the nativs in this
 quarter. it provailed about 4 or 5 yrs Sinc among the Clatsops, and
 distroy'd Several hundreds of them, four of their Chiefs fell a victym
 to it's ravages. these Clatsops are Deposited in their Canoes on the
 bay a fiew miles below us. I think the late ravages of the Small Pox,
 may well account for the number of remains of villages which I Saw on
 my rout to the Kil a mox in Several places-.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 8, 1806]
 Saturday February 8th 1806.
 Sent Sergt. Ordway and two men this morning to join the party with
 Sergt. Gass and bring the ballance of R. Fields's Elk. in the evening
 they returned with the balance of the flesh of five Elk, that of one of
 them having become tainted and unfit for uce. late in the evening
 Sergt. Pryor returned with Shannon Labuish and his party down the
 Netul. they brought with them the flesh of 4 Elk which those two
 hunters had killed. we have both dined and suped on Elk's tongues and
 marrow bones.
 I have discovered that the shrub and fruit discribed on the 26th of
 January is not that which the Indians call the Shal-lon, but that is
 such as is there discribed, and the berry is estemed and used by the
 natives as there mentioned except that it is not like the shallon,
 baked in large loaves, but is simply dryed in the sun for winter uce,
 when they either eat them in thir dryed state or boil them in water.
 The Shallon is the production of a shrub which I have heretofore taken
 to be a speceis of loral and mentioned as abounding in this
 neighbourhood and that the Elk fed much on it's leaves. it generally
 rises to the hight of 3 feet but not unusually attains to that of 5
 feet. it grows very thick and is from the size of a goos quill to that
 of a man's thumb, celindric, the bark of the older or larger part of
 the stock is of a redish brown colour while that of the younger
 branches and succulent shoots are red where most exposed to the sun and
 green elsewhere. the stem is simple branching reclining, and partially
 fluxouse, or at least the smaler stocks or such parts of them and the
 boughs as produce the leaves, take a different direction at the
 insertion of every petiole. the leaf is oval four & 3/4 inches in
 length and 21/2 in width. petiolate, the petiole short only 3/8th of an
 inch in length, celindric with a slight channel on it's upper side
 where it is generally red; undivided or entire, slightly serrate, the
 apex termineating in an accute point; the upper disk of a glossey deep
 green, the under disk of a pale green; veined. the leaves are also
 alternate and two ranked. the root is horizontal puting forth
 perpendicular radicles. this shrub is an evergreen. the fruit is a deep
 perple berry about the size of a buck short or common black cherry, of
 an ovate form tho reather more bluntly pointed, than at the insertion
 of the peduncle; at the extremity, the thin coloured membranous
 pellicle, which forms the surface of the pericarp, is divided into five
 accute angular points, which meet in the center, and contains a soft
 pulp of the same colour invelloping a great number of small brown
 kidney formed seeds. each berry is supported by a seperate celindric
 peduncle of half an inch in length; these to the number of ten or
 twelve issue from a common peduncle or footstalk which is fuxouse and
 forms the termination of the twig of the present years growth; each
 peduncle supporting a berry is furnished with one oblong bracte placed
 at it's insertion on the common footstalk which when the fruit is ripe
 withers with the peduncle.
 
 
 [Clark, February 8, 1806]
 Saturday February 8th 1806
 Sent Serjt. Ordway and two men this morning to joint the party with
 Serjt. Gass, and bring the ballance of R. Field's Elk. in the evening
 they returned with the ballance of the flesh of five Elk, that of one
 of them having become tainted and unfit for use. late in the evening
 Serjt. Pryor returned with Shannon Labieshe and his party down the
 Netul. they brought with them the flesh of 4 Elk which those two
 hunters had killed.
 we have both Dined and Suped on Elks tongues and marrowbones. a great
 Luxury for Fort Clatsop.
 The Shat lon is a production of Shrub which I have taken heretofore to
 be a Species of Loral and mentioned as abounding in this neighbourhood,
 and that the Elk feed much on its leaves. it generally rises to the
 hight of 3 feet, and not unusially attain to that of 5 feet. it grows
 very thick and is from the size of that of a goose quil to that of a
 mans thumb, Celendric. the bark of the older or larger part of the
 Stalk is of a redish brown Colour, whilst that of the younger branches
 & succulent Shoots are red where most exposed to the Sun and green
 elsewhere. the Stem is Simple branching, reclineing and partially
 fuxouse, or at least the Smaller Stalks or Such parts of them and their
 boughs which produce the leaves, take a different direction at the
 insertion of every petiole. A, A, the leaves as they grow from the
 Stalk B. B. B the Stalk between each leaf.
 The leaf is oval 4 and 3/4 inches in length, and 2 and a half in width.
 petiolate, the potiale Short only 3/8 of an inch in length cilindric
 with a Slight Channel on its upper Side where it is generally red;
 undevided, or entire, Slightly serrate, the apex termonateing in an
 accute point; the upper disk of a glossy deep Green, the under disk of
 a pail Green, veined. the leaves are also alternate and two ranked. the
 root is horozontal, putting foth pirpendicular radicles. This Shrub is
 an evergreen. the frute is a deep purple berry about the Size of a buck
 Shot or common black cherry, of an ovale form, tho reather more bluntly
 pointed than at the insertion of the peduncle, at the extremity, the
 thin coloured membranus pellicle, which forms the Surfice of the
 paricarp, is divided into 4 anguar points, which meet at the Center,
 and Contains a Soft pulp of the Same Colour invelloping a great number
 of Small brown kidney formed Seedeach berry is Supported by a Seperate
 celindric peduncle of half an inch in length, these to the number of 10
 or 12 issue from a common peduncle of footstalk which forms the
 termination of the twig of the present years groth; each peduncle
 Supporting a berry is furnished with one oblong bracte placed at it's
 insertion on the common footstalk, which when the frute is ripe withers
 with the peduncle-.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 9, 1806]
 Sunday February 9th 1806
 This morning Collins and Wiser set out on a hunting excurtion; they
 took our Indian canoe and passed the Netul a little above us. in the
 evening Drewyer returned; had killed nothing but one beaver. he saw one
 black bear, which is the only one which has been seen in this
 neighbourhood since our arrival; the Indians inform us that they are
 abundant but are now in their holes.
 in the marshy ground frequently overflown by the tides there grows a
 species of fir which I take to be the same of No. 5 which it resembles
 in every particular except that it is more defusely branched and not so
 large, being seldom more than 30 feet high and 18 inches or 2 feet in
 diameter; it's being more defusely branched may proceed from it's open
 situation seldom growing very close. the cone is 21/2 inches in length
 and 33/4 in it's greatest circumpherence, which is near it's base, and
 from which it tapers regularly to a point. it is formed of imbricated
 scales of a bluntly rounded form, thin not very firm and smoth. a thin
 leaf is inserted into the pith of the cone, which overlays the center
 of and extends 1/2 an inch beyond the point of each scale. the form of
 this leaf is somewhat thus overlaying one of the imbricated scales.
 The stem of the black alder of this country before mentioned as
 arriving to great size, is simply branching and defuse. the bark is
 smooth of a light colour with white coloured spreading spots or
 blotches, resembling much that of the beech; the leaf fructification &c
 is precisely that of the common alder of our country. these trees grow
 seperately from different roots and not in clusters or clumps as those
 of the Atlantic states. fearing that our meat would spoil we set six
 men to jurking it.
 
 
 [Clark, February 9, 1806]
 Sunday February 9th 1806
 This morning Collins & Wiser Set out on a hunting excurtion; in the
 evening Drewyer returned; had Killed nothing but one Beaver. he Saw one
 black Bear, which is the only one which has been seen in the
 neighbourhood Since our arrival. the Indians inform us that they are
 abundant but are now in their holes.
 In the marshey grounds frequently overflown by the tides there grows a
 Species of fir which I took to be the Same of No. 5. from examonation I
 find it a distinct species of fir. it is more perfusely branched. This
 tree Seldom rises to a greater hight than 35 or 40 feet and is from 2
 to 4 feet in Diamieter; the Bark the Same with that of No. 1. only
 reather more rugid. the leaf is acerose, 2/10 of an inch in width and
 3/4 in length, they are firm Stiff and Somewhat accuminated, ending in
 a Short pointed hard tendril, gibbous thickly scattered on all Sides of
 the bough as respects the 3 upper Sides only; those which have their
 insertion on the underside incline side--wise with their points upwards
 giveing the leaf the Shape of a Sythe. the others are perpindicular or
 pointing upwards, growing as in No. 1 from Small triangular pedestals
 of a Soft Spungy elastic bark. the under disk of these leaves or that
 which grows nearest to the Base of the bough is of a dark glossy green,
 while the upper or opposit side is of a whiteish pale green; in this
 respect differing from almost all leaves. The boughs retain their
 leaves as far back as almost to the Sixth year's groth. the peculiarity
 of the budscales observed in No. 1 is obsd. in this Species. The Cone
 is 31/2 Inches in length, and 3 in circumfranse, of an ovale figure
 being thickest in the middle and tapering and terminateing in two
 obtuce points. it composes several flexable, thin, obtusely jointed
 Smoth and redish brown imbricated scales. each scale Covering two small
 winged Seed and being itself Covered in the center by a small thin
 inferior scale accutely pointed. The Cone is Some what of this figure.
 they proceed from the sides as well as the extremities of the bough,
 but in the former case allways at or near the Commencement of Some one
 years groth which in Some instances are as far back as the third year
 The Stem of the Black Alder of this countrey before mentioned as
 ariveing at great Size, is Simple branching and defuse. the bark is
 Smoth of a light Colour with white Coloured Spredding Spots or
 blotches, resembling much that of beech. the leaf is procisely that of
 the Common alder of the United States or Virginia. those trees grow
 Seperately from different roots and not in Clusters or Clumps, as those
 of the atlantic States, casts its folage about the 1st of December.
 Fearing that our meat would Spoil we Set Six men to jurking it to day,
 which they are obliged to perform in a house under shelter from the
 repeated rains.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 10, 1806]
 Monday February 10th 1806.
 Drewyer visited his traps today but caught no beaver. Collins and Wiser
 returned had killed no Elk. Willard arrived late in the evening from
 the Saltworks, had cut his knee very badly with his tommahawk. he had
 killed four Elk not far from the Salt works the day before yesterday,
 which he had butched and took a part of the meat to camp, but having
 cut his knee was unable to be longer ucefull at the works and had
 returned. he informed us that Bratton was very unwell, and that Gibson
 was so sick that he could not set up or walk alone and had desired him
 to ask us to have him brought to the Fort. Coalter also returned this
 evening. continue the operation of drying our meat.
 There is a tree common to the Columbia river below the entrance of
 cataract river which in it's appearance when divested of it's foliage,
 much resembles the white ash; the appearance of the wood and bark is
 also that of the ash. it's stem is simple branching and diffuse. the
 leaf is petiolate, plane, scattered, palmate lobate, divided by four
 deep sinuses; the lobes are repand, or terminate in from 3 to 5 accute
 angular points, while their margins are indented with irregular and
 somewhat circular incissures. the petiole is celendric smooth and 7
 inches long. the leaf 8 inches in length and 12 in bredth. this tree is
 frequently 3 feet in diameter and rises to 40 or 50 feet high. the
 fruit is a winged seed somewhate like the maple. in the same part of
 the country there is also another growth which resembles the white
 maple in it's appearance, only that it is by no means so large; seldom
 being more than from 6 to 9 inches in diamater, and from 15 to 20 feet
 high; they frequently grow in clusters as if from the same bed of roots
 spreading and leaning outwards. the twigs are long and slender. the
 stems simple branching. the bark smooth and in colour resembling that
 of the white maple. the leaf is petiolate, plane, scattered nearly
 circular, with it's margin cut with accute angular incissures of an
 inch in length and from six to 8 in number the accute angular points
 formed by which incissures are crenate, or cut with small accute
 angular incissures. or in this form. it is 3 inches in length, and 4 in
 width. the petiole celindric smooth and one and a 1/4 inches long. the
 fruit or flower not known.
 
 
 [Clark, February 10, 1806]
 Monday February 10th 1806
 Collins and Wiser returned without killing any Elk. Willard arrived
 late this evening from the Salt Camp, he had cut his knee very badly
 with his tomahawk. he had killed four Elk not far from the Salt Camp,
 the day before yesterday, which he had butchered and took a part of the
 meat to the Camp, but haveing Cut his Knee was unable to be longer
 Servisable at the works & had returned. he informed us that Bratten was
 very unwell, and that Gibson was So Sick that he could not Set up or
 walk alone, and had desired him to ask us to have him brought to the
 Fort. Colter also returnd. this evening. continue the opperation of
 dryin our meat.
 There is a tree common to the Columbia river below the enterance of
 Cataract River which in its appearance when divested of its folage,
 much resembles the white ash; the appearance of the wood and bark is
 also that of the ash. it's Stem is Simple branching and diffuse. the
 lief is petiolate, plane, scattered palmate lobate, divided by four
 deep Sinusus; the lobes are repand or terminate in from 3 to 5 accute
 angular points, while their margins are indented with irregular and
 Somewhat Circular incissures. the peteole is Celindric Smoth and 7
 inches long. the leaf 8 inches in length and 12 in bredth. this tree is
 frequently 2 & 3 feet in diamieter, and rises to 50 or 60 feet high-the
 froot is a winged Seed Somewhat like the maple. In the Same part of the
 countrey there is also another groth, which resembles the white maple
 in its appearance, only that it is by no means so large, seldom being
 more than from 6 to 9 inches in diamieter, and from 20 to 30 feet high;
 they frequently grow in clusters as if from the same bed or root,
 Spreading and leaning outwards. the twigs are long and Slender. the
 Stems simple branching. the bark Smoth and in Colour resembles that of
 the white maple. the leaf is patiolate, plain, scattered nearly
 circular, with it's margin cut with accute anglar incissures of an inch
 in length and from 6 to 8 in number, the accute angular points formed,
 by which incissures, are crenate, or cut with small angular incissures.
 or in this form. it is 3 inches in length, and 4 in width. the petiole
 is cilendric smoth and 11/4 inches long. the froot or flour I have not
 as yet found out &c.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 11, 1806]
 Tuesday February 11th 1806.
 This morning Sergt. Gass Reubin Fields and Thompson passed the Netul
 opposite to us on a hunting expedition. sent Sergt Pryor with a party
 of four men to bring Gibson to the fort. also sent Colter and Wiser to
 the Salt works to carry on the business with Joseph Fields; as Bratton
 had been sick we desired him to return to the Fort also if he thought
 proper; however in the event of his not coming Wiser was directed to
 return.
 There is a shrub which grows commonly in this neighbourhood which is
 precisely the same with that in Virginia some times called the
 quillwood. also another which grows near the water in somewhat moist
 grounds & rises to the hight of 5 or 6 feet with a large, peteolate
 spreading plane, crenate and somewhat woolly leaf like the rose
 raspberry. it is much branched the bark of a redish brown colour and is
 covered with a number of short hooked thorns which renders it extreemly
 disagreeable to pass among; it dose not cast it's foliage untill about
 the 1st of December. this is also the case with the black alder. There
 is also found in this neighbourhood an evergreen shrub which I take to
 be another variety of the Shallun and that discribed under that name in
 mistake on the 26th of January. this shrub rises to the hight of from
 four to five feet, the stem simple branching, defuse and much branched.
 the bark is of a redish dark brown, that of the mane stein is somewhat
 rough while that of the boughs is smooth. the leaves are petiolate the
 petiole 1/40 of an inch long; oblong, obtuse at the apex and accute
 angular at the insertion of the petiole; 3/4 of an inch in length and
 Ysths in width; convex, somewhat revolute, serrate, smoth and of a
 paler green than the evergreens usually are; they are also opposite and
 ascending. the fruit is a small deep perple berry like the common
 huckleberry of a pleasent flavor. they are seperately scattered &
 attatched to the small boughs by short peduncles.-. the natives eat
 this berry when ripe but seldom collect it in such quantities as to dry
 it for winter uce.
 
 
 [Clark, February 11, 1806]
 Tuesday February 11th 1806.
 This Morning Serjt. Gass R. Field and J. Thompson passed the Netul
 opposit to us on a hunting expedition. Sent Serjeant Natl. Pryor with 4
 men in a Canoe to bring gibson to the Fort. also Sent Colter & P. Weser
 to the Salt works to carry on the business with Jos. Field; as bratten
 is also Sick we derected that he Should return to the fort if he
 continued unwell; There is Shrub which grows Commonly in this
 neighbourhood which grows on the Steep Sides of the hills and also in
 low moist grounds, and rise to the hight of 5 or 6 feet with a large
 peteolate, Spreading plain crenate and Somewhat woolly leaf like the
 rose raspberry. it is much branched the bark of a redish brown colour
 and is covered with a number of Short hooked thorns which renders it
 extreamly disagreeable to pass among, it does not cast its foliage
 untill about the 1st of December.
 There is a Species of bryor which is common in this neighbourhood of a
 green colour which grows most abundant in the rich dry lands near the
 water courses, but is also found in Small quantities in the piney lands
 at a distance from the water Courses in the former Situations the Stem
 is frequently the Size of a mans finger and rise perpendicularly to the
 hight of 4 or 5 feet when it decends in an arch and becoms procumbent
 or rests on Some neighbouring plant or Srubs; it is Simple unbranched
 and celindric; in the latter Situation it is much Smaller, and usially
 procumbent. the Stem is armed with Sharp and hooked bryors. the leaf is
 peteolate, ternate and resembles in Shape and appearance that of the
 purple Raspberry common to the atlantic States. The frute is a berry
 resembling the Blackberry in every respect and is eaten when ripe and
 much esteemed by the nativs but is not dryed for winters Consumption.
 in the Countrey about the enterance of the quick Sand rivers I first
 discovered this bryor, it grows So abundantly in the furtile Vally of
 Columbia and on the Islands in that part of the river, that the
 Countrey near the river is almost impenitrable in maney places. This
 green Bryor retains its leaf or foliage and virdue untill late in
 December. The Briory bush with a wide leaf is also one of its
 ascociates.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 12, 1806]
 Wednesday February 12th 1806.
 This morning we were visited by a Clatsop man who brought with him
 three dogs as a remuneration for the Elk which him self and nation had
 stolen from us some little time since, how ever the dogs took the alarm
 and ran off; we suffered him to remain in the fort all night.
 There are two species of ever green shrubs which I first met with at
 the grand rappids of the Columbia and which I have since found in this
 neighbourhood also; they grow in rich dry ground not far usually from
 some watercourse. the roots of both species are creeping and celindric.
 the stem of the 1st is from a foot to 18 inches high and as large as a
 goosqull; it is simple unbranced and erect. it's leaves are cauline,
 compound and spreading. the leafets are jointed and oppositely pinnate,
 3 pare & terminating in one, sessile, widest at the base and tapering
 to an accuminated point, an inch and a quarter the greatest width, and
 3 inches & a 1/4 in length. each point of their crenate margins armed
 with a subulate thorn or spine and are from 13 to 17 in number. they
 are also veined, glossy, carinated and wrinkled; their points obliquely
 pointing towards the extremity of the common footstalk.--The stem of
 the 2nd is procumbent abot the size of the former, jointed and
 unbranched. it's leaves are cauline, compound and oppositely pinnate;
 the rib from 14 to 16 inches long celindric and smooth. the leafets
 21/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. greatest width 1/2 inch from their
 base, to which they are regularly rounded, and from the same point
 tapering to an accute apex, wich is mostly, but not invariably
 tirminated with a small subulate thorn. they are jointed and oppositely
 pinnate, consisting of 6 pare and terminating in one, sessile serrate,
 or like the teeth of a whipsaw, each point terminating in a small
 subulate spine, being from 25 to 27 in number; veined, smooth, plane
 and of a deep green, their points tending obliquely towards the
 extremity of the rib or common footstalk. I do not know the fruit or
 flower of either. the 1st resembles the plant common to many parts of
 the U States called the mountain holley.
 
 
 [Clark, February 12, 1806]
 Wednesday February 12th 1806.
 This morning we were visited by a Clatsop man who brought with him
 three dogs as a remuneration for the Elk which himself and Nation had
 Stolen from us Some little time Sence, however the dogs took the alarm
 and ran off; we suffered him to remain in the fort all night.
 There are two Species of evergreen Shrubs. this is the leaf of one
 which I first met with at the grand rapids of the Columbia River, and
 which I have sence found in this neighbourhood also; they usially grow
 in rich dry ground not far from Some water course. the roots of both
 Species are creeping and celindric. the Stem of the first (as above) is
 from a foot to 18 inches high and as large as a Goose quil; it is
 Simple and erect. its leaves are cauline, and Spredding. the leafits
 are jointed & oppositly poinnate 3 par and termonateing in one, cessile
 widest at the base and tapering to an accuminated point, an inch and
 1/4 the greatest width; & 31/4 inches in length. each point of their
 crenate margins armed with a thorn or Spine, and are from 13 to 17 in
 number. they are also veined, glossy, corinated and wrinkled; their
 points obliquely pointing towards the extremity of the Common footstalk.
 The Stem of the 2nd is procumbent about the Size of the former, jointed
 and umbracated. it's leaves are Cauline, compound and oppositly
 pointed; the rib from 14 to 16 inches long Celendric and Smooth the
 leafits 21/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. the greatest width 1/2 inch
 from their base which they are regularly rounded, and from the Same
 point tapering to an accute apex, which is mostly but not entirely
 termonated with a Small Subulate thorn. they are jointed & oppositly
 pointed consisting of 6 par and termonateing in one (in this form)
 sessile, Serrate, or like the teeth of a whipsaw, each point
 terminateing in a small subulate spine, being from 25 to 27 in numbr;
 veined, Smoth, plane and of a deep green, their points tending
 obliquely towards the extremity of the rib or common footstalk. I do
 not know the fruit or flower of either. the 1st resembles a plant
 Common to maney parts of the United States Called the Mountain Holly
 
 
 [Lewis, February 13, 1806]
 Thursday February 13th 1806.
 The Clatsop left us this morning at 11 A.M. not any thing transpired
 during the day worthy of notice. yesterday we completed the operation
 of drying the meat, and think we have a sufficient stock to last us
 this month. the Indians inform us that we shall have great abundance of
 a small fish in March which from their discription must be the herring.
 these people have also informed us that one More who sometimes touches
 at this place and trades with the natives of this coast, had on board
 of his vessel three Cows, and that when he left them he continued his
 course along the N. W. coast. I think this strong circumstancial proof
 that there is a stettlement of white persons at Nootka sound or some
 point to the N. W. of us on the coast.
 There is a species of bryer which is common in this neighbourhood of a
 green colour which grows most abundant in the rich dry lands near the
 watercourses, but is also found in small quantities in the piny lands
 at a distance from the watercourses in the former situation the stem is
 frequently the size of a man's finger and rises perpendicularly to the
 hight of 4 or 5 feet when it decends in an arch and becomes procumbent
 or rests on some neighbouring plants or shrubs; it is simple unbranched
 and celindric; in the latter situation it is much smaller and usually
 procumbent. the stem is armed with sharp and hooked bryers. the leaf is
 peteolate ternate and resembles in shape and appearance that of the
 perple raspberry common to the Atlantic states. the fruit is a berry
 resembling the black berry in every rispect and is eaten when ripe and
 much esteemed by the natives but is not dryed for winter consumption.
 in the country about the entrance of the quicksand river I first
 discovered this bryer. it groows so abundantly in the fertile valley of
 Columbia and the Islands in that part of the river that the country
 near the river is almost impenitrable in many places. the briary bush
 with a wide leaf is also one of it's ascociates. the green bryer
 retains it's foliage and verdure untill late in December.--There are
 also two species of firn which are common to this country beside that
 formerly discribed of which the natives eat the roots. these from their
 disparity in point of size I shall designate the large and small firn.
 both species continue green all winter.--The large farn, rises to the
 height of 3 or four feet the stem is a common footstalk or rib which
 proceedes immediately from the radix wich is somewhat flat on two sides
 about the size of a man's arm and covered with innumerable black coarce
 capillary radicles which issue from every pat of it's surface; one of
 those roots or a collected bed of them will send fourth from twenty to
 forty of those common footstalks all of which decline or bend outwards
 from the common center. these ribs are cylindric and marked
 longitudinally their whole length with a groove or channel on their
 upper side. on either side of this grove a little below it's edge, the
 leafets are inserted, being shortly petiolate for about 2/3 ds of the
 length of the middle rib commencing at the bottom and from thence to
 the extremity sessile. the rib is terminated by a single undivided
 lanceolate gagged leafet. the leafets are lanceolate, from 2 to 4
 inches in length gagged and have a small accute angular projection on
 the upper edge near the base where it is spuar on the side which has
 the projection and obliquely cut at the base on the other side of the
 rib of the leafet. or which will give a better idea in this form. the
 upper surface is Smooth and of a deep green the under disk of a pale
 green and covered with a brown bubersence of a woolly appearance
 particularly near the cental fiber or rib. these leafets are
 alternately pinnate. they are in number from 110 to 140; shortest at
 the two extremities of the common footstalk and longest in the center,
 graduly lengthening and deminishing as they succeed each other.-
 The small firn also rises with a common footstalk from the radix and
 are from four to eight in number. about 8 inches long; the central rib
 marked with a slight longitudinal groove throughout it's whole length.
 the leafets are oppositely pinnate about 1/3 rd of the length of the
 common footstalk from the bottom and thence alternately pinnate; the
 footstalk terminating in a simple undivided nearly entire lanceolate
 leafet. the leafets are oblong, obtuse, convex absolutely entire,
 marked on the upper disk with a slight longitudinal groove in place of
 the central rib, smooth and of a deep green. near the upper extremity
 these leafets are decursively pinnate as are also those of the large f
 rn. The grasses of this neighbourhood are generally coase harsh and
 sedge-like, and grow in large tufts. there is none except in the open
 grounds. near the coast on the tops of some of the untimbered hills
 there is a finer and softer species which resembles much the green
 swoard. the salt marshes also produce a coarse grass, Bull rushes and
 the Cattail flagg. the two last the natives make great use in preparing
 their mats bags &c.
 
 
 [Clark, February 13, 1806]
 Tuesday February 13th 1806.
 The Clatsop left us this morning at 11 A.M. not anything transpired
 dureing the day worthy of notice. yesterday we completed the opperation
 of drying the meat, and think we have a Sufficient Stock to last us
 this month. the Indians inform us that we shall have great abundance of
 Small fish in March. which from the discription must be the Herring.
 Those people have also informed us that one Moore who sometimes touches
 at this place and traded with the nativs of this Coast, had on board
 his Ship 3 Cows, and that when he left them he continued his course
 along the N W. Coast. I think this (if those Cows were not Coats)
 Strong circumstantial proof that their is a Settlement of white persons
 at Nootka Sound or Some place to the N W. of us on the coast.
 There are also two Species of firn which are common to this Countrey
 besides that before mentioned of which the nativs eate the roots. these
 two from their disparity in point of Size I shall distinguish the large
 and Small firn. both species continue green all winter
 The large fern, rise to the hight of 3 or 4 feet, the Stem is a Common
 footstalk or rib which proceeds imediately from the radix which is
 Somewhat flat on two Sides about the Size of a man's arm and covered
 with innumerable black coarse capillary radicles which issue from every
 part of its surface; one of those roots or a collected bead of them
 will Send forth from 20 to 40 of those Common footstalks all of which
 decline or bend outwards from the Common center. those ribs are
 cylindric and marked longitudinally their whole length with a groove or
 channel on their upper Side. on either Side of this groove a little
 below it's edge, the leafets are inserted, being partly petiolate for
 about 2/3ds of the length of the middle rib, commenceing at the bottom
 and from thence to the extremity Sessile. the rib is termonated by a
 Single undevided lanceolate gagged leafet. the leafets are lanceolate,
 from 2 to 4 inches in length gagged and have a Small accute angular
 projection and obliquely cut at the base on either Side of the rib of
 the leafet. upper Surface is Smooth and of a deep Green, the under disk
 of a pale Green and covered with a brown Substance of a woolly
 appearance particalarly near the center fiber or rib these leafets are
 alternately pointed they are in number from 110 to 140; shortest at the
 two extremities of the common footstalk and longest in the center,
 gradually lengthing and diminishing as they Suckceed each other
 The Small firn also rises with a Common footstalk from the radix and
 are from 4 to 8 in number, about 8 inches long; the Central rib marked
 with a Slight longitudinal Groove through out it's whole length. the
 leafets are oppositly pinnate about A of the length of the Common
 footstalk from the bottom and thence alternately pinnate; the footstalk
 termonating in a Simple undevided nearly entire lanceolate leafet. the
 leafets are oblong, obtuse, convex absolutely entire, marked on the
 upper disk with a Slight longitudinal grove in place of the central
 rib, smooth and of a deep green; near the upper extremity those lefets
 are decurscivily pinnate as are also those of the larg firn.
 The Grass's of this neighbourhood are generally coarse harsh and Sedge
 like, and grow in large tufts. there is none except in the open
 grounds. near the Coast on the top of Some of the untimbered hills
 there is a finer and Softer Species which resembles much the
 Greensword. the Salt marshes also produce a Corse grass, Bullrushes and
 the Cattail flaggs. of the two last the nativs make great use in
 prepareing their mats bags &c. in those bags they Carry their fish
 Berries roots &c.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 14, 1806]
 Friday February 14th 1806.
 We are very uneasy with rispect to our sick men at the salt works.
 Sergt. Pryor and party have not yet returned nor can we conceive what
 causes their delay. Drewyer visited his traps today and caught a very
 fine fat beaver on which we feasted this evening. on the 11th inst.
 Capt Clark completed a map of the country through which we have been
 passing from Fort Mandan to this place. in this map the Missouri
 Jefferson's river the S. E. branch of the Columbia, Kooskooske and
 Columbia from the entrance of the S. E. fork to the pacific Ocean as
 well as a part of Flathead river and our tract across the Rocky
 Mountains are laid down by celestial observation and survey. the rivers
 are also connected at their sources with other rivers agreeably to the
 information of the natives and the most probable conjecture arrising
 from their capacities and the relative positions of their rispective
 entrances which last have with but few exceptions been established by
 celestial observation. we now discover that we have found the most
 practicable and navigable passage across the Continent of North
 America; it is that which we traveled with the exception of that part
 of our rout from the neighbourhood of the entrance of Dearborn's River
 untill we arrived on Clarks river at the entrance of Traveler's rest
 creek; the distance between those two points would be traveled more
 advantageously by land as the navigation of the Missouri above the
 river Dearborn is laborious and 420 miles distant by which no advantage
 is gained as the rout which we are compelled to travel by land from the
 source of Jefferson's river to the entrance of Travelers rest Creek is
 220 miles being further by 500 miles than that from the entrance of
 Dearborn's river to the last mentioned point and a much worse rout if
 Indian information is to be relyed on; from the same information the
 Flathead river like that of the S. E. fork of the Columbia which heads
 with Jefferson's and Maddison's Rivers can not be navigated through the
 Rocky Mountains in consequence of falls & rappids and as a confermation
 of this fact, we discovered that there were no salmon in the Flathead
 river, which is the case in the S. E. branch of the Columbia although
 it is not navigable. added to this, the Indians further inform us, that
 the Flathead river runs in the direction of the Rocky Mountains for a
 great distance to the North before it discharges itself into the
 Columbia river, which last from the same information from the entrance
 of the S. E. fork to that of Flathead river is obstructed with a great
 number of difficult and dangerous rappids. considering therefore the
 danger and difficulties attending the navigation of the Columbia in
 this part, as well as the circuitous and distant rout formed by itself
 and the Flathead river we conceive that even admitting the Flathead
 river contrary to information to be as navigable as the Columbia river
 below it's entrance, that the tract by land over the Rocky Mountains
 usually traveled by the natives from the Entrance of Traveller's-rest
 Creek to the forks of the Kooskooske is preferable; the same being a
 distance of 184 Miles. The inferrence therefore deduced from those
 premices are that the best and most Practicable rout across the
 Continent is by way of the Missouri to the entrance of Dearborn's river
 or near that place; from thence to flathead river at the entrance of
 Traveller's rest Creek, from thence up Traveller's rest creek to the
 forks, from whence you pursue a range of mounttains which divides the
 waters of the two forks of this creek, and which still continuing it's
 West wardly course divides the waters of the two forks of the
 Kooskooske river to their junction; from thence to decend this river by
 water to the S. E. branch of the Columbia, thence down that river to
 the Columbia and with the latter to the Pacific Ocean.
 
 ============
 
 [Clark, February 14, 1806]
 Friday February 14th 1806
 We are very uneasy with respect to our Sick men at the Salt works.
 Serjt. Pryor and party haveing not yet returneded, nor can we conceive
 what can be the Cause of their delay. Drewyer visited his traps & to
 day and Cought a fine fat beaver on which we feasted this evening and
 thought it a great delecessey.-.
 I compleated a map of the Countrey through which we have been passing
 from the Mississippi at the Mouth of Missouri to this place. In the Map
 the Missouri Jefferson's river the S. E. branch of the Columbia or
 Lewis's river, Koos-koos-ke and Columbia from the enterance of the S. E
 fork to the pacific Ocian, as well as a part of Clark's river and our
 track across the Rocky Mountains are laid down by celestial
 observations and Survey. the rivers are also conected at their Sources
 with other rivers agreeably to the information of the nativs and the
 most probable conjecture arrising from their capacities and the
 relative positions of their respective enterances which last have with
 but fiew exceptions been established by celestial observations. We now
 discover that we have found the most practicable and navigable passage
 across the Continent of North America; it is that which we have
 traveled with the exception of that part of our rout from the foot of
 the Falls of the Missouri, or in neighbourhood of the enterance of the
 Rocky Mountains untill we arive on Clarks river at the enterence of
 Travelers-rest Creek; the distance between those two points would be
 traveled more advantagiously by land as the navigation of the Missouri
 above the Falls is crooked laborious and 521 miles distant by which no
 advantage is gained as the rout which we are compelled to travel by
 land from the Source of Jeffersons River to the enterance of Travellers
 rest Creek is 220 miles being further by At. 600 miles than that from
 the Falls of the Missourie to the last mentioned point (Travellers rest
 Creek) and a much worse rout if indian information is to be relied on
 which is from the So so nee or Snake Indians, and the Flatheads of the
 Columbia west of the rocky mountains. from the Same information Clarks
 river like that of the S. E. branch of the Columbia which heads with
 Jefferson's and Maddisons river's can not be navagated thro the rocky
 mountains in consequence of falls and rapids, and as a confirmation of
 the fact we discovered that there were no Salmon in Clark's river,
 which is not the Case in the S. E. branch of the Columbia altho it is
 not navagable. added to this, the Indians of different quartes further
 inform us, that Clark's river runs in the direction of the Rocky
 Mountains for a great distance to the north before it discharges itself
 into the Columbia river---from the Same information the Columbia from
 the enterance of the S. E. branch to the enterance of Clark's river is
 obstructed with a great number of dificuelt and dangerous rapids (and
 the place Clark's river comes out of the Rocky mountains is a
 tremendious falls &c which there is no possibillity of passing the
 mountains either by land or water.) Considering therefore the dangers
 and deficuelties attending the navigation of the Columbia in this part,
 as well as the circuitous and distant rout formed by itself and that of
 Clark's River we Conceive that even admitting that Clarks river
 contrary to information to be as navagable as the Columbia below it's
 enterance, that the tract by land over the Rocky Mountains usially
 traveled by the nativs from the enterance of Travellers rest Creek to
 the Forks of the Kooskooske is preferable; the Same being a distance of
 184 miles. The inferrence therefore deduced from these premises are,
 that the best and most practicable rout across the Continent is by way
 of the Missouri to the Great Falls; thence to Clarks river at the
 enterance of Travellers rest Creek, from thence up travillers rest
 Creek to the forks, from whence you prosue a range of mountains which
 divides the waters of the two forks of this Creek, and which still
 Continues it's westwardly Course on the mountains which divides the
 waters of the two forks of the Kooskooske river to their junction; from
 thence to decend this river to the S. E. branch of the Columbia, thence
 down that river to the Columbia, and down the Latter to the Pacific
 Ocian-. There is a large river which falls into the Columbia on its
 South Side at what point we could not lern; which passes thro those
 extencive Columbian Plains from the South East, and as the Indians
 inform us head in the mountains South of the head of Jeffersons River
 and at no great distance from the Spanish Settlements, and that that
 fork which heads with the River Rajhone and waters of the Missouri
 passes through those extensive plains in which there is no wood, and
 the river Crowded with rapids & falls many of which are impassable. the
 other or westerly fork passes near a range of mountains and is the fork
 which great numbers of Indian Bands of the So sone or Snake Indians,
 this fork most probably heads with North River or the waters of
 Callifornia. This River may afford a practicable land Communication
 with New Mexico by means of its western fork. This river cannot be
 navagable as an unpracticable rapid is within one mile of its enterance
 into the Columbia, and we are fully purswaded that a rout by this river
 if practicable at all, would lengthen the distance greatly and
 incounter the Same dificuelties in passing the Rocky Mountains with the
 rout by way of Travellers rest Creek & Clarks river.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 15, 1806]
 Saturday February 15th 1806.
 Drewyer and Whitehouse set out this morning on a hunting excurtion
 towards the praries of Point Adams. we have heard our hunters over the
 Netul fire several shot today, but have had no account from them as
 yet. about 3 P.M. Bratton arrived from the salt works and informed us
 that Sergt. Pryor and party were on their way with Gibson who is so
 much reduced that he cannot stand alone and that they are obliged to
 carry him in a litter. Bratton himself appears much reduced with his
 late indisposition but is now recovering fast. Bratton informed that
 the cause of Sergt. Pryor's delay was attributeable to the winds which
 had been so violent for several days as to render it impossible to get
 a canoe up the creek to the point where it was necessary to pass with
 Gibson. the S. W. winds are frequently very violent on the coast when
 we are but little sensible of them at Fort Clatsop. in consequence of
 the lofty and thickly timbered fir country which surrounds us on that
 quarter from the South to the North East.
 after dark Sergt. Pryor arrived with Gibson. we are much pleased in
 finding him by no means as ill as we had expected. we do no conceive
 him in danger by any means, tho he has yet a fever and is much reduced.
 we beleive his disorder to have orriginated in a violent cold which he
 contracted in hunting and pursuing Elk and other game through the swams
 and marshes about the salt works. he is nearly free from pain tho a
 gooddeel reduced and very languid. we gave him broken dozes of diluted
 nitre and made him drink plentifully of sage tea, had his feet bathed
 in warm water and at 9 P.M. gave him 35 drops of laudanum.
 The quadrupeds of this country from the Rocky Mountains to the pacific
 Ocean are 1st the domestic animals, consisting of the horse and the dog
 only; 2cdly the native wild animals, consisting of the Brown white or
 grizly bear, (which I beleive to be the same family with a mearly
 accedental difference in point of colour) the black bear, the common
 red deer, the black tailed fallow deer, the Mule deer, Elk, the large
 brown wolf, the small woolf of the plains, the large wolf of the
 plains, the tiger cat, the common red fox, black fox or fisher, silver
 fox, large red fox of the plains, small fox of the plains or kit fox,
 Antelope, sheep, beaver, common otter, sea Otter, mink, spuck, seal,
 racoon, large grey squirrel, small brown squirrel, small grey squirrel,
 ground squirrel, sewelel, Braro, rat, mouse, mole, Panther, hare,
 rabbit, and polecat or skunk. all of which shall be severally noticed
 in the order in which they occur as well as shuch others as I learn do
 exist and which not been here recapitulated. The horse is confined
 principally to the nations inhabiting the great plains of Columbia
 extending from Latitude 40° to 50° N. and occuping the tract of country
 lying between the rocky mountains and a range of Mountains which pass
 the columbia river about the great falls or from Longitude 116 to 121
 West. in this extesive tract of principally untimbered country so far
 as we have leant the following nations reside (viz) the Sosone or snake
 Indians, the Chopunnish, sokulks, Cutssahnims, Chymnapums, Ehelutes,
 Eneshuh & Chilluckkittequaws. all of whom enjoy the bennefit of that
 docile, generous and valuable anamal the horse, and all of them except
 the three last have immence numbers of them. Their horses appear to be
 of an excellent race; they are lofty eligantly formed active and
 durable; in short many of them look like the fine English coarsers and
 would make a figure in any country. some of those horses are pided with
 large spots of white irregularly scattered and intermixed with the
 black brown bey or some other dark colour, but much the larger portion
 are of an uniform colour with stars snips and white feet, or in this
 rispect marked much like our best blooded horses in virginia, which
 they resemble as well in fleetness and bottom as in form and colours.
 the natives suffer them to run at large in the plains, the grass of
 which furnishes them with their only subsistence their masters taking
 no trouble to lay in a winters store for them, but they even keep fat
 if not much used on the dry grass of the plains during the winter. no
 rain scarcely ever falls in these plains and the grass is short and but
 thin. The natives appear to take no pains in scelecting their male
 horses from which they breed, in short those of that discription which
 I have noticed appeared much the most indifferent. whether the horse
 was orrigeonally a native of this country or not it is out of my power
 to determine as we can not understand the language of the natives
 sufficiently to ask the question. at all events the country and climate
 appears well adapted to this anamal. horses are said to be found wild
 in many parts of this extensive plain country. the several tribes of
 Sosones who reside towards Mexico on the waters of Clark's river or
 particularly one of them called Sh&-bo-bo-ah have also a great number
 of mules, which among the Indians I find are much more highly prized
 than horses. an eligant horse may be purchased of the natives in this
 country for a lew peads or other paltry trinkets which in the U States
 would not cost more than one or two dollars. This abundance and
 cheapness of horses will be extremely advantageous to those who may
 hereafter attemt the fir trade to the East Indies by way of the
 Columbia river and the Pacific Ocean.--the mules in the possession of
 the Indians are principally stolen from the Spaniards of Mexeco; they
 appear to be large and fine such as we have seen. Among the Sosones of
 the upper part of the S. E. fork of the Columbia we saw several horses
 with spanish brands on them which we supposed had been stolen from the
 inhabitants of Mexeco.
 
 
 [Clark, February 15, 1806]
 Saturday February 15th 1806
 Drewyer and Whitehouse Set out on a hunting excurtion towards the
 mountains Southwest of us. we have heard our hunters over the Netul
 fire Several Shot today, but have had no account of them as yet. 3 P.M.
 Bratten arived from the Saltworks, and informed us that Serjt. Pryor
 and party were on their way with gibson in a litter. he is verry bad
 and much reduced with his present indisposition. Wm. Bratten appears
 much reduced, and is yet verry unwell. he informs that the Cause of
 Sergt. Pryor's delay was attributiable to the winds which had been so
 violent for Several days as to render it impossible to get a Canoe up
 the Creek to the point where it was necessary to pass with Gibson. the
 S. W. winds are frequently very violent on the coast when we are but
 little Sensible of them at Fort Clatsop. in Consequence of the lofty
 and thickly timbered fir country which Surrounds us from that quarter,
 from the South to the N. East.-. After Dark Sergt. Pryor arrived with
 Gibson. we are much pleased in findeing him by no means as ill as we
 had expected. we do not conceive him in danger by any means, tho he has
 yet a fever and is much reduced. we believe his disorder to have
 originated in a violent Cold which he contracted in hunting and
 prosueing Elk and other game through the Swamps and marshes about the
 salt works. he is nearly free from pain tho a good deel reduced and
 very languid. we gave him double doses of diluted niter and made him
 drink plentifully of Sage tea, had his feat bathed in worm water and at
 9 P.M. gave him 35 drops of laudanum.
 The quadrupeds of this countrey from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific
 Ocian are first the Domestic Animals, consisting of the Horses and Dogs
 only; 2ndly the Native Wild Animals, consisting of the White, brown, or
 Grizly bear (which I believe to be the same family with a mearly
 accidentail difference in point of Colour) The Black Bear, the Elk, the
 Common red Deer, the Mule deer, the black tailed fallow Deer, the large
 brown wolf, the Small wolf of the Plains, the large wolf of the Plains,
 Panther, the tiger cat, the common red fox, the black fox or fisher,
 the Silver fox, large red fox of the plains, Small fox of the plains or
 kit fox, Antelope, Sheep, beaver, Common Otter, Sea Otter, minks, Seals
 racoons, large Grey Squerrel, Small brown Squirrel, Small grey
 Squirrel, Ground Squirrel, Sewelel, Braro, rat, mouse, mole, hare,
 rabbet, and pole Cat or Skunk. all of which Shall be Severally noticed
 in the order in which they occur as well as Such others as I learn do
 exist, and which not been here recapitulated.
 The Horse is principally Confined to the Nations inhabiting the great
 Plains of Columbia extending from Latitude 40° to 50° N. and occupying the
 tract of Countrey lying between the Rocky Mountains and a rang of
 mountains which pass the Columbia River about the Great Falls or from
 Longitude 116° to 121° West in this extensive tract of Principally
 untimbered countrey So far as we have lernt the following nations
 reside (viz) The Sosone, or Snake Indians inhabiting the South fork or
 ____ River, the Chopunnish, Sokulk's, Cutssahnims, Chym na pum,
 Ehelutes, Eneshuh & Chilluckkittequaws. all of whome enjoy the benifit
 of that docile generous and valueable Animal the Horse, and all of them
 except the three last have emence numbers of them. their horses appear
 to be of an excellent race; they are lofty eligantly formed active and
 durable; in Short maney of them look like the fine English coursers and
 would make a figure in any country. Some of those horses in pided with
 large spots of white irrigularly scattered and intermixed with black,
 brown, Bey or Some other dark colour, but much the larger portion are
 of a uniform Colour with Stars, snips, and white feet, or in this
 respect marked much like our best blooded horses in the U, States,
 which they resemble as well in fleetness and bottom as in form and
 Colour. the nativs Suffer them to run at large in the plains, the Grass
 of which furnish them with their only Subsistance, their owners takeing
 no trouble to lay in a winters Store for them, but they keep fat if not
 much used on the dry grass of the plains dureing the winter. rain
 scercely ever falls in those plains and the Grass is Short and but
 thin. the nativs appear to take no pains in Selecting their male horses
 from which they bread, in Short those of that discription which I have
 noticed appear much the most indifferent. whether the horses was
 originally a native of this Country or not, it is out of my power to
 determine as we cannot understand the language of the nativs
 Sufficiently to ask the question. at all events the Country and Climate
 appears well adapted to this Animal. Horses are Said to be found wild
 in maney parts of this extensive plain Country-. The Several tribes of
 Sosones who reside near Mexico on the waters of Clark's river, or
 particularly one of them called Shd-bo-bo-ah have also a great number
 of Mules, which among the Inds. I find are much more highly prized than
 horses. an eligant horse may be purchased of the nativs in this Country
 for a fiew beeds or other paltry trinkits which in the United States
 would not cost more than one or two dollars. This abundance and
 Cheepness of horses will be extremely advantagious to those who may
 hereafter attempt the fir trade to the East Indies by way of the
 Columbia and the Pacific Ocian.-. The mules in the possession of the
 Inds. are principally Stolen from the Spaniards of New Mexico; Such as
 we have Seen appear to be large with Spanish brands. among the Sosones
 of the upper part of Lewis's river we Saw Several horses with Spanish
 brands on them which the nativs informed us Came from the South most
 probably from the Settlement in New Mexico, on the heads of the North
 river or waters of the Bay of California.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 16, 1806]
 Sunday February 16th 1806.
 By several trials made today in order to adjust my Octant and ascertain
 her error in the direct observation, I found that it was 2° 1' 45" + or
 additive beyond the fracture; this error was ascertained by a
 comparison with my sextant the error of which had been previously
 ascertained. the error of Octant in the direct observation on the
 broken limb next to 0 or below 55° 20 inclusive is 2° additive only.--Sent
 Shannon Labuish and Frazier this morning on a hunting excurtion up the
 Kil-haw'-a-nak-kle river which discharges itself into the head of the
 bay. no tidings yet of Sergt. Gass and party. Bratton is still very
 weak and complains of a pain in the lower part of the back when he
 moves which I suppose procedes from dability. I gave him barks.
 Gibson's fever still continues obstenate tho not very high; I gave him
 a doze of Dr. Rush's which in many instances I have found extreemly
 efficatious in fevers which are in any measure caused by the presence
 of boil. the nitre has produced a profuse perspiration this evening and
 the pills operated late at night his fever after which abated almost
 entirely and he had a good night's rest.
 The Indian dog is usually small or much more so than the common cur.
 they are party coloured; black white brown and brindle are the most
 usual colours. the head is long and nose pointed eyes small, ears erect
 and pointed like those of the wolf, hair short and smooth except on the
 tail where it is as long as that of the curdog and streight. the
 natives do not eat them nor appear to make any other use of them but in
 hunting the Elk as has been before observed.--The brown white or grizly
 bear are found in the rocky mountains in the timbered parts of it or
 Westerly side but rarely; they are more common below the rocky Mountain
 on the borders of the plains where there are copses of brush and
 underwood near the watercouses. they are by no means as plenty on this
 side of the rocky mountains as on the other, nor do I beleive that they
 are found atall in the woody country, which borders this coast as far
 in the interior as the range of mountains which, pass the Columbia
 between the Great Falls and rapids of that river. the black bear
 differs not any from those common to the United states and are found
 under the rocky Mountains in the woody country on the borders of the
 great plains of columbia and also in this tract of woody country which
 lie between these plains and the Pacific Ocean. their oconimy and
 habits are also the same with those of the United States.
 
 
 [Clark, February 16, 1806]
 Sunday February 16th 1806
 Sent Shannon Labiesh and frazier on a hunting excurtion up the
 Kilhaw-a-nak-kle river which discharges itself into the head of
 Meriwethers Bay. no word yet of Sergt. Gass and party. Bratten is verry
 weak and complains of a pain in the lower part of the back when he
 moves which I suppose proceeds from debility. I gave him barks and Salt
 peter. Gibsons fever Still Continues obstinate tho not verry high; we
 gave him a dose of Dr. Rushes pills which in maney instancis I have
 found extreamly efficasious in fevers which are in any measure Caused
 by the presence of boil. the niter has produced a perfuse perspiration
 this evening and the pils opperated late at night his feaver after
 which abated almost intirely and he had a good nights rest.
 The Indian Dogs are usually small or much more so than the common cur.
 they are party coloured; black white brown and brindle are the more
 usual colours. the head is long and nose pointed eyes Small, ears erect
 and pointed like those of the wolf, hair Short and Smooth except on the
 tail where it is as long as that of the Cur dog and streight. the
 nativs do not eate them, or make any further use of them than in
 hunting the Elk as has been before observed. Shannon an Labiesh brought
 in to us to day a Buzzard or Vulture of the Columbia which they had
 wounded and taken alive. I believe this to be the largest Bird of North
 America. it was not in good order and yet it wayed 25 lbs had it have
 been so it might very well have weighed 10 lbs. more or 35 lbs. between
 the extremities of the wings it measured 9 feet 2 Inches; from the
 extremity of the beak to that of the toe 3 feet 9 inches and a half.
 from hip to toe 2 feet, girth of the head 9 inches 3/4. Girth of the
 neck 71/2 inches; Girth of the body exclusive of the wings 2 feet 3
 inches; girth of the leg 3 inches. the diameter of the eye 41/2 10ths
 of an inch, the iris of a pale scarlet red, the puple of a deep Sea
 green or black and occupies about one third of the diameter of the eye
 the head and part of the neck as low as the figures 12 is uncovered
 with feathers except that portion of it represented by dots foward and
 under the eye. (See likeness on the other Side of this leaf) the tail
 is Composed of twelve feathers of equal length, each 14 inches. the
 legs are 43/4 inches in length and of a whitefish colour uncovered with
 feathers, they are not entirely Smooth but not imbricated; the toes are
 four in number three of which are foward and that in the center much
 the longest; the fourth is Short and is inserted near the inner of the
 three other toes and reather projecting foward. the thye is covered
 with feathers as low as the Knee. the top or upper part of the toes are
 imbricated with broad scales lying transversly; the nails are black and
 in proportion to the Size of the bird comparitively with those of the
 Hawk or Eagle, Short and bluntly pointed---the under Side of the wing
 is Covered with white down and feathers. a white Stripe of about 2
 inches in width, also marks the outer part of the wing, imbraceing the
 lower points of the feathers, which cover the joints of the wing
 through their whole length or width of that part of the wing. all the
 other feathers of whatever part are of a Glossy Shineing black except
 the down, which is not glossy, but equally black. the Skin of the beak
 and head to the joining of the neck is of a pale orrange Yellow, the
 other part uncovered with feathers is of a light flesh Colour. the Skin
 is thin and wrinkled except on the beak where it is Smooth. This bird
 fly's very clumsily. nor do I know whether it ever Seizes it's prey
 alive, but am induced to believe it does not. we have Seen it feeding
 on the remains of the whale and other fish which have been thrown up by
 the waves on the Sea Coast. these I believe constitute their principal
 food, but I have no doubt but that they also feed on flesh. we did not
 meet with this bird untille we had decended the Columbia below the
 great falls; and have found them more abundant below tide water than
 above. this is the Same Species of Bird which R. Field killed on the
 18th of Novr. last and which is noticed on that day tho not fully
 discribed then I thought this of the Buzzard Specis. I now believe that
 this bird is reather of the Vulture genus than any other, tho it wants
 Some of their characteristics particularly the hair on the neck, and
 the feathers on the legs. this is a handsom bird at a little distance.
 it's neck is proportionably longer than those of the Hawks or Eagle.
 Shannon also brought a Grey Eagle which appeared to be of the Same kind
 common to the U, States. it weighed 15 pds. and measured 7 feet 7
 inches between the extremities of the wings
 Shannon and Labiesh informed us that when he approached this Vulture
 after wounding it, that it made a loud noise very much like the barking
 of a Dog. the tongue is long firm and broad, filling the under Chap and
 partakeing of its transvirs curvature, or its Sides forming a
 longitudinal Groove; obtuse at the point, the margin armed with firm
 cartelagenous prickkles pointed and bending inwards.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 17, 1806]
 Monday February 17th 1806.
 Collins and Windsor were permited to hunt today towards the praries in
 Point Adams with a view to obtain some fresh meat for the sick. a
 little before noon Shannon LaBuishe & Frazier returned with the flesh
 and hide of an Elk which had been wouded by Sergt. Gass's party and
 took the water where they pursued it and caught it. they did not see
 Sergt. Gass or any of his party nor learn what further success they had
 had. continue the barks with Bratton, and commenced them with Gibson
 his fever being sufficiently low this morning to permit the uce of
 them. I think therefore that there is no further danger of his
 recovery.--at 2 P.M. Joseph Fields arrived from the Salt works and
 informed us that they had about 2 Kegs of salt on hand which with what
 we have at this place we suppose will be sufficient to last us to our
 deposits of that article on the Missouri. we there directed a party of
 six men to go with Fields in the morning in order to bring the salt and
 kettles to the fort. Shannon brought me one of the large carrion Crow
 or Buzzads of the Columbia which they had wounded and taken alive. I
 bleive this to be the largest bird of North America. it was not in good
 order and yet it weighed 25 lbs. had it have been so it might very well
 have weighed 10 lbs mor or 35 lbs. between the extremities of the wings
 it measured 9 feet 2 inches; from the extremity of the beak to that of
 the toe 3 F. 91/2 In. from hip to toe 2 feet, girth of head 93/4 In.
 girth of the neck 71/2 Inches; do. of body exclusive of the wings 2
 feet 3 Inches; do of leg 3 inches. diameter of the eye 41/2/toths of an
 inch. the iris of a pale scarlet red, the puple of deep sea green or
 black and occupyed about one third of the diameter of the eye. the head
 and a part of the neck as low as the figures 12 is uncovered with
 feathers except that portion of it represented by dots (see likeness).
 the tail is composed of 12 feathers of equal length, each 14 inches.
 the legs are 43/4 inches in length and of a white colour un covered
 with feathers, they are not entirely smooth but not imbricated; the
 toes are four in number three of which are forward and that in the
 center much the longes; the fourth is short and is inserted near the
 inner of the three other toes and reather projecting forward. the thye
 is covered with feathers as low as the knee. the top or upper part of
 the toes are imbricated with broad scales lying transversly; the nails
 are blak and in proportion to the size of the bird comparitively with
 those of the halk or Eagle, short and bluntly pointed. the under side
 of the wing is covered with white down and feathers. a white stripe of
 about two inches in width, also marks the outer part of the wing,
 imbracing the lower points of the feathers, which cover the joints of
 the wing through their whole length or width of that part of the wing.
 all the other feathers of whatever part are glossey shining black
 except the down which is not glossey but equally black. the skin of the
 beak and head to the joining of the neck is of a pale orrange yellow
 the other part uncovered with feathers is of a light flesh colour. the
 skin is thin and wrinkled except on the beak where it is smooth. this
 bird flys very clumsily nor do I know whether it ever seizes it's prey
 alive, but am induced to beleive that it dose not. we have seen it
 feeding on the remains of the whale & other fish which have been thrown
 up by the waves on the sea coast. these I beleive constitute their
 prinsipal food, but I have no doubt but they also feed on flesh; we did
 not met with this bird untill we had decended the Columbia below the
 great falls, and have found them more abundant below tide-water than
 above. I beleive that this bird is reather of the Vulture genus than
 any other, tho it wants some of their charactaristics particularly the
 hair on the neck and feathers on the legs.--this is a handsome bird at
 a little distance. it's neck is proportionably longer than those of the
 hawks or Eagle. Shannon also brought me a grey Eagle which appeared to
 be of the same kind common to the U States; it weighed 15 lb. and
 measured 7 Feet 7 Inches between the extremities of the wings.--At 4
 P.M. Sergt. Gass and party arrived; they had killed eight Elk. Drewyer
 and Whitehouse also returned late in the evening, had killed one Elk.-
 Labuishe informed me that when he approached this vulture, after
 wounding it, that it made a loud noise very much like the barking of a
 dog & the tongue is large firm and broad, filling the under chap and
 partaking of it's transverse curvature, or it's sides colapsing upwards
 forming a longitudinal groove; obtuse at the point, the margin armed
 with firm cartelaginous prickkles pointed and bending inwards.
 
 
 [Clark, February 17, 1806]
 Monday February 17th 1806
 Collins and Windser were permited to hunt to day towards the praries in
 point Adams with a view to obtain Some fresh meat for the Sick. a
 little before noon Shannon and Labiesh & frazier Came with the flesh
 and hide of an Elk which had been wounded by Serjt. Gasses party and
 took the water where they pursued it and cought it. they did not See
 Sergt. Gass or any of his party or learn what further Sucksess they
 have had. Continu the barks with Bratten, and Commenced them with
 gibson his feaver being Sufficiently low this morning to permit the use
 of them. I think therefore that there is no further danger of his
 recovery.---at 2 P.M. Joseph Field arrived from the Salt works and
 informd us that they had about 2 Kegs of Salt on hand (say 3 bushels)
 which with what we have at this place we suppose will be Sufficient to
 last us to our deposit of that article on the Missouri. we directed a
 party of Six men to go in the morning in order to bring the salt and
 Kittles to the Fort. at 4 P.M. Serjt. Gass and party arrive; they had
 killed 8 Elk. Drewyer and Whitehouse also return late in the evening,
 they had killed one Elk, part of the meat of which they brought in with
 them.
 The Brown, White, or Grizly Bear are found in the rocky mountains in
 the timbered part of it or Westerly Side but rarely; they are more
 Common below or on the East Side of the Rocky Mountains on the borders
 of the plains where there are Copses of bushes and underwood near the
 water cources. they are by no means as plenty on this Side of the Rocky
 Mountains as on the other, nor do I believe they are found at all in
 the woody country which borders this coast as far in the interior as
 the range of mountains which pass the Columbia between the enterance of
 Clarks and the Quick sand Rivers or below the Great falls of Columbia.
 The Black Bear differs not any from those Common to the U. States, and
 are found under the Rocky Mountains in the woody country on the borders
 of the Great Plain's of Columbia and also in this tract of woody
 country which lie between these plains and the Pacific Ocian. their
 econimy and habits are also the Same with those of the United States.-.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 18, 1806]
 Tuesday February 18th 1806.
 This morning we dispatched a party to the Saltworks with Sergt. Ordway
 and a second with Sergt. Gass after the Elk killed over the Netul. in
 the evening Sergt. Ordway returned and reported that the waves ran so
 high in the bay that he could not pass to the entrance of the creek
 which we had directed him to assend with the canoe. Collins and Winsor
 returned this evening with one deer which they had killed. the deer are
 poor and their flesh by no means as good as that of the Elk which is
 also poor but appears to be geting better than some weeks past.--in the
 forenoon we were visited by eight Clasops and Chinnooks from whom we
 purchased a Sea Otter's skin and two hats made of waytape and white
 ceder bark. they remained untill late in the evening and departed for
 their village. these people are not readily obstructed by waves in
 their canoes.--Sergt. Ordway brought me a specemine of a species of
 pine peculiar to the swamps and marshes frequently overflown by the
 tide as this is a distinct species I shall call it No. 7. this tree
 seldom rises to a greater hight than 35 feet and is from 21/2 to 4 feet
 in diameter; the stem is simple branching diffuse and proliferous. the
 bark the same with that of No. 1 only reather more rugged. the leaf is
 acerose, 2/10ths of an inch in width and 3/4 in length. they are firm
 stif and somewhat accuminated, ending in a short pointed hard tendril,
 gibbous, thickly scattered on all sides of the bough but rispect the
 three upper sides only. those which have there insersion on the
 underside incline sidewise with their points upwards giving the leaf
 the figure of a sythe. the others are perpendicular or pointing
 upwards. is sessile growing as in No. 1 from small triangular pedestals
 of a soft spungy elastic bark. the under disk of these leaves or that
 which grows nearest towards the base of the bough is a deep glossey
 green while the upper or opposite side is of a mealy whiteish pale
 green; in this rispect differing from almost all leaves. the boughs
 retain their leaves as far back as to the sixth years growth. the
 peculiarity of the bud scales observed in No 1 is observed in this
 species. The cone is 31/2 inches in length and 3 in circumpherence, of
 an ovate figure being thickest in the middle and tapering and
 terminating in two obtuse points. it is composes of small, flexible,
 thin, obtusely pointed smooth and redish brown imbricated scales. each
 scale covering two small winged seeds and being itself covered in the
 center by a small thin inferior scale accutely pointed. the cone is
 somewhat of this figure. they proceede from the side as well as the
 extremities of the bough but in the former case always at or near the
 commencement of some one years growth which is some instances are as
 far back as the third year.
 
 
 [Clark, February 18, 1806]
 Tuesday February 18th 1806
 This morning we dispatched a party to the Salt works with Sergt.
 Ordway. and a Second party with Sergt. Gass after the Eight Elk killed
 over the Netul. in the evening Sergt. Ordway returned and reported that
 the waves ran So high in the Bay that he could not pass to the
 enterance of a Creek which we had directed him to assend with the
 Canoe. Collins & Windsir returned this evening with one Deer which they
 had Killed. the deer are pore and their flesh by no means as good as
 that of the Elk which is also poore but appears to be getting better
 than Some weeks past. in the forenoon we were visited by a Clatsop &
 Seven Chinnooks from whome I purchased a Sea otter's Skin and two hats
 made of way tape and Silk grass and white cedar bark. they remained
 untill late in the evening and departed for their village. those people
 are not readily obstructed by waves in their Canoes. Since their
 departure we have discovered that they have Stole an ax.--Whitehouse
 brought me a roab which he purchased of the Indians formed of three
 Skins of the Tiger Cat, this Cat differs from any which I have ever
 Seen. it is found on the borders of the plains and the woody Country
 lying along the Pacific Ocian. this animale is about the Size or
 reather larger than the wild Cat of our Countrey and is much the Same
 in form, agility and ferosity. the colour of the back, neck and Sides,
 is a redish brown irrigular varigated with Small Spots of dark brown
 the tail is about two inches long nearly white except the extremity
 which is black; it termonates abruptly as if it had been cut off. the
 belly is white with Small black spots. butifully varigated. the legs
 are of the Same Colour with the Sides and back marked with transvers
 stripes of black the ears are black on the outer Side Covered with fine
 black hair, Short except at the upper point which is furnished with a
 pencil of verry fine Streight black hair, 3/4 of an inch in length, the
 fur of this animale is long and fine. much more So than the wild Cat of
 the U States but less so than the Louserva of the N West. the nativs of
 this Country make great use of the skins of this Cat, to form the robes
 which they wear; three whole Skins is the complement usually employed,
 and Sometimes four in each roab. Those Cats are not marked alike maney
 of them have but fiew Spots of a darker Colour, particularly on the
 Back.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 19, 1806]
 Wednesday February 19th 1806.
 Sergt. Ordway set out again this morning with a party for the salt
 works by land. in the evening Sergt. Gass returned with the flesh of
 eight Elk, and seven skins; having left one skin with Shannon and
 Labuishe who remained over the netul to continue the chase. we had the
 Elk skins divided among the messes in order that they might be prepared
 for covering our baggage when we set out in the spring. our sick are
 recovering but they appear to strengthen but slowly. The common red
 deer we found under the rocky mts. in the neighbourhood of the
 Chopunnish, and about the great falls of the Columbia river and as low
 down the same as the commencement of tide water. these do not appear to
 differ essentially from those of our country being about the same size
 shape and appearance in every rispect except their great length of tail
 which is more than half as long again as our deer I measured one of
 them which was 17 inches long. The Black tailed fallow deer are
 peculiar to this coast and are a distinct species of deer partaking
 equally of peculiarities of the mule deer and the common deer. their
 ears are reather larger and their winter coat darker than the common
 deer; the recepticle of the eye or drane is mor conspicuous; their legs
 shorter and body thicker and larger than the common deer; their tail is
 about the length of our deer or from 8 to 10 inches the hair on the
 underside of which is white, and that of it's sides and top quite black
 the horns resemble in form and colour those of the mule deer which it
 also resembles in it's gate; that is bounding with all four feet off
 the ground at the same time when runing at full speed and not loping as
 the common deer or antelope do. they are sometimes found in the
 woodlands but most frequently in the praries and open grounds. they may
 be said generally to be a size larger than the common deer and that
 less than the mule deer. they are very seldom found in good order, or
 fat, even in the season which the common deer are so, and their flesh
 is inferior to any species of deer which I have ever seen.-
 
 
 [Clark, February 19, 1806]
 Wednesday February 19th 1806.
 Sergt. Ordway Set out again with a party to the Salt works by land. in
 the evening Sergt. Gass returned with the flesh of Eight Elk, and Seven
 Skins haveing left one Skin with Shannon and Labiche who remained over
 the Netul to Continue the chase. we devided the Skins between the
 messes in order that they might be prepared for Covering the baggage
 when we Set out in the Spring. our Sick appear to Strengthen but Slowly
 I gave Bratten 6 of Scotts pills which did not work him. he is very
 weak and Complains of his back.
 The black Fox or as they are more frequently Called by the N West
 Trader Fisher is found in the woody country on this Coast. how this
 Animal obtained the name of fisher I know not, but certain it is, that
 the name is not appropriate, as it does not prey on or Seek it as a
 prey-. they are extreeinly active Strong and made for climbing which
 they do with great agility, and bound from tree to tree in pursute of
 the squirel or Rackoon, their natural and most usual food. their Colour
 is a jut Black except a Small Spot of white on the breast. the body is
 long, legs Short and formed Something like the turnspit Dog, with a
 remarkable long tail. it does not differ here from those of the United
 States.
 The Silver Fox this animale is very rare even in the Countrey where it
 exists, I have never Seen more than the Skins of this Animal and those
 were in the possession of the nativs of the woody Country below the
 Great falls of the Columbia, from which I think it is most probably
 they are the inhabitants of the woody country exclusively. from the
 Skins, it appeard to be about the Size of the large red Fox of the
 plains and much of its form with a large tail. the legs I think
 somewhat longer it has a fine long deep fur poil. the poil is of a dark
 lead colour and the long hairs intermixed with it, are either white or
 black at the lower part, and white at top, the whole mixture forming a
 butifull Silver Grey. I think this the handsomest of all the Fox
 Species, except a Species of which I Saw one running, and Capt Lewis
 had a good view of another of the Same Species on the Missouri near the
 natural walls. The large red fox of the plains, and the Kit fox are the
 Same which we met with on the Missouri and are the inhabitants almost
 exclusively of the open plains, or of the copse of bushes within the
 plain country. the Common red or grey fox of the United States is also
 found in the woody country on this coast, nor does it appear to be
 altered in respect to it's fur colour or any other particular. we have
 Seen none of the large red fox.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 20, 1806]
 Thursday February 20th 1806.
 Permited Collins to hunt this morning he returned in the evening
 unsuccessfull as to the chase but brought with him some cranberries for
 the sick. Gibson is on the recovery fast; Bratton has an obstenate
 cough and pain in his back and still appears to be geting weaker.
 McNeal from his inattention to his disorder has become worse.
 This forenoon we were visited by Tdh-cum a principal Chief of the
 Chinnooks and 25 men of his nation. we had never seen this cheif before
 he is a good looking man of about 50 years of age reather larger in
 statue than most of his nation; as he came on a friendly visit we gave
 himself and party some thing to eat and plyed them plentifully with
 smoke. we gave this cheif a small medal with which he seemed much
 grati-fyed. in the evening at sunset we desired them to depart as is
 our custom and closed our gates. we never suffer parties of such number
 to remain within the fort all night; for notwithstanding their apparent
 friendly disposition, their great averice and hope of plunder might
 induce them to be treacherous. at all events we determined allways to
 be on our guard as much as the nature of our situation will permit us,
 and never place our selves at the mercy of any savages. we well know,
 that the treachery of the aborigenes of America and the too great
 confidence of our countrymen in their sincerity and friendship, has
 caused the distruction of many hundreds of us. so long have our men
 been accustomed to a friendly intercourse with the natives, that we
 find it difficult to impress on their minds the necessity of always
 being on their guard with rispect to them. this confidence on our part,
 we know to be the effect of a series of uninterupted friendly
 intercouse, but the well known treachery of the natives by no means
 entitle them to such confidence, and we must check it's growth in our
 own minds, as well as those of our men, by recollecting ourselves, and
 repeating to our men, that our preservation depends on never loosing
 sight of this trait in their character, and being always prepared to
 meet it in whatever shape it may present itself.-
 The Mule deer are the same with those of the plains of the Missouri so
 frequently mentioned. we met with them under the Rocky mountains in the
 Neighbourhood of the Chopunnish nation on the Kooskooske river, but
 have not seen them since nor do we know whether they exist in the
 interior of the great plains of Columbia or on their lower border near
 the mountains which pass the river about the great falls. The Elk is
 the same with that found in much the greatest portion of North America,
 they are common to every part of this country, as well the timbered
 lands as the plains, but are much more abundant in the former than the
 latter The large brown woolf is like that of the Atlantic States and
 are found only in the woody country on the Pacific Ocean imbracing the
 mountains which pass the Columbia between the great falls and rapids of
 the same. the large and small woolves of the plains are the inhabitants
 principally of the open country and the woodlands on their borders and
 resemble in their habits and appearance those of the plains of the
 Missouri precisely. they are not abundant in the plains of Columbia
 because there is but little game on which for them to subsist.
 
 
 [Clark, February 20, 1806]
 Thursday February 20th 1806.
 Permited Collins to hunt this morning he returned in the evening
 unsucksessfull as to the chase, but brought with him Some Cramberries
 for the Sick. Gibson is on the recovery fast; Bratten has an obstinate
 Cough and pain in his back and Still appears to be getting weaker. H.
 McNeal from his inattention to his disorder has become worse. Willard
 has a high fever and complains of the pain in his head and want of
 appetite.
 The forenoon we were visited by Tfih-cum a principal chief of the
 Chinnooks and 25 men of his nation. we had never Seen this Chief before
 he is a good looking man of about 50 years of age reather larger in
 Statue than most of his nation; as he came on a friendly visit we gave
 himself and party something to eate and plyed them plenty fully with
 Smoke. we gave this chief a small Medal with which he Seamed much
 pleased. in the evening at Sunset we desired them to depart as is our
 custom and Close our gates. we never Suffer parties of Such numbers to
 remain within the Fort all night; for not withstanding their apparent
 friendly disposition, their great averis and hope of plunder might
 induce them to be treacherous. at all events we are determined always
 to be on our guard, as much as the nature of our Situation will permit
 us, and never place our selves at the mercy of any Savages. we well
 know, that the treachery of the Aborigenes of America and the too great
 confidence of our country men in their friendship and fadility has
 caused the distruction of maney hundreds of us. so long has our men
 been accustomed to a friendly intercourse with the nativs, that we find
 it dificult to impress on their minds the necessity of always being on
 their Guard with respect to them. this confidence on our part we know
 to be the effect of a serious of a friendly and unintorupted
 intercourse. but the well Known treachery of the natives by no means
 entitle them to Such confidence, and we must check it's groth in our
 own minds as well as those of our men, by recollecting our selves, and
 repeating to our men, that our preservation depends on our never
 loseing Sight of this trate in their character, and being always
 prepared to meet it in whatever Shape it may present itself
 The Mule Deer are the Same with those of the Plains of the Missouri So
 frequently mentioned. we met with them under the rocky mountains in the
 neighbourhood of the Chopunnish Nation on the Koskooske river, but have
 not Seen them Since nor do we know whether they exist in the interiors
 of the great Plains of Columbia, or on the lower border near the
 mountains which pass the river about the great falls. The Elk is the
 Same with that found in much the greater portion of North America, they
 are common to every part of this Country, as well the timbered lands as
 the plains. but are much more abundant in the former than the latter
 
 
 [Lewis, February 21, 1806]
 Friday February 21st 1806.
 Visited this morning by 3 Clatsop who remained with us all day; they
 are great begers; I gave one of them a few nedles with which he
 appeared much gratifyed. in the evening late they departed. Drewyer and
 Collins went in pursuit of some Elk, the tracks of which Collins had
 discovered yesterday; but it rained so hard that they could not pursue
 them by their tracks and returned unsuccessfull. Drewyer saw a fisher
 black fox but it escaped from him among the fallen timber. Sergt.
 Ordway returned with the party from the salt camp which we have now
 evacuated. they brought with them the salt and eutensils. our stock of
 salt is now about 20 Gallons; 12 gallons of which we secured in 2 small
 iron bound kegs and laid by for our voyage. gave Willard and bratton
 each a doze of Scotts pills; on the former they operated and on the
 latter they (lid not. Gibson still continues the barks three times a
 day and is on the recovery fast.-
 The tyger Cat is found on the borders of the plains and in the woody
 country lying along the Pacific Ocean. this animal is about the size or
 reather larger than the wild cat of our country and is much the same in
 form, agility and ferosity. the colour of the back neck and sides is a
 redish brown irregularly variegated with small spots of dark brown the
 tail is about two inches long nearly white except the extremity which
 is black; it terminates abruptly as if it had been cut off. the belly
 is white with small black spots, beautifully variagated. the legs are
 of the same colour with the sides and back marked with transverse
 stripes of black the ears are black on the outer side covered with fine
 short hair except at the upper point which furnished with a pensil of
 fine, streight, black hair, = 3/4 of an inch in length. the fur of this
 anamal is long and fine, much more so than the wild cat of the United
 States but less so than that of Louservea of the N. West. the natives
 in this quarter make great use of the skins of this Cat to form the
 robes which they wear; four skins is the compliment usuly employed in
 each robe. the Black fox, or as they most frequently called in the
 neighbourhood of Detroit, Fisher is found in the woody country on this
 coast. how this animal obtained the name of fisher I know not, but
 certain it is, that the name is not appropriate, as it dose not prey on
 fish or seek it as a prey. they are extreemly active strong and
 prepared for climbing, which they do with great agility, and bound from
 tree to tree in pursuit of the squirrel or Rackoon their natural and
 most usual food. their colour is a jut black except a small spot of
 white on the breast. the body is long, legs short and formed something
 like the ternspit dog with a remarkable long tail. it dose not differ
 here from those of the United States. The Silver fox this animal is
 very rare even in the country where it exists; I have never seen more
 than the Skins of this anamal and those were in the possession of the
 natives of the woody Country below the great falls of the Columbia from
 which I think that it is most probably the inhabtant of the woody
 country exclusively. from the skin it appeared to be about the size of
 the large red fox of the plains and much of it's form with a large
 tail. the legs I think somewhat longer. it has a fine long deep fur
 poll. the poil is of a dark lead colour and the long hairs intermixed
 with it are either white or black at the lower part and white at the
 top, the whole mixture forming a beatifull silver grey. I think this
 the most beautifull of all the Foxes except species of which I saw one
 only on the Missouri near the natural walls. the large red fox of the
 plains and the Kit fox are the same which we met with on the Missouri
 and are the inhabitants almost exclusively of the open plains, or of
 the cops of brush within the pain country. The common red fox of the
 United States is also found in the woody country on this coast nor dose
 it appear to be altered in rispect to it's fur colour or any other
 particular
 
 
 [Clark, February 21, 1806]
 Friday February 21st 1806
 Visited this morning by three Clatsops, who remained with us all day;
 they are great begers; Capt Lewis gave one of them a fiew nedles with
 which he appeared much gratified, in the evening late they departed.
 Drewyer and Collins went in pursute of Some Elk the tracks of which
 Collins had discovered yesterday; but it rained So hard they Could not
 pursue them by the tracks, and returned unsucksessfull. Drewyer Saw a
 fisher but it escaped from him among the fallen timber. Sergt. Ordway
 returned with the party from the Salt Camp which we have now avacuated.
 they brought with them the Salt and utensels. our Stock of Salt is now
 about 20 Gallons; 12 Gallons we had Secured in 2 Small iron bound Kegs
 and laid by for our voyage. Gave Willard a dose of Scots pills; they
 opperated very well. Gibson Still Continus the bark 3 times a day and
 is on the recovery fast.
 The large brown Wolf is like that of the atlantic States, and are found
 only in the woody Country on the Pacific Ocean embraceing the mountains
 which pass the Columbia between the Great Falls an Rapids of the same.
 The large and Small Wolves of the inhabitents principally of the open
 Country and the wood land on their borders, and resemble in their
 habits those of the plains of Missouri presisely they are not abundant
 in the Plains of Columbia because there is but little game on which for
 them to subsist-
 
 
 [Lewis, February 22, 1806]
 Saturday February 22cd 1806.
 We were visited today by two Clatsop women and two boys who brought a
 parsel of excellent hats made of Cedar bark and ornamented with
 beargrass. two of these hats had been made by measures which Capt Clark
 and myself had given one of the women some time since with a request to
 make each of us a hat; they fit us very well, and are in the form we
 desired them. we purchased all their hats and distributed them among
 the party. the woodwork and sculpture of these people as well as these
 hats and their waterproof baskets evince an ingenuity by no means
 common among the Aborigenes of America. in the evening they returned to
 their village and Drewyer accompanied them in their canoe in order to
 get the dogs which the Clatsops have agreed to give us in payment for
 the Elk they stole from us some weeks since. these women informed us
 that the small fish began to run which we suppose to be herring from
 their discription. they also informed us that their Chief, Coma or
 Comowooll, had gone up the Columbia to the valley in order to purchase
 wappetoe, a part of which he in tended trading with us on his return.
 one of our canoes brake the cord by which it was attatched and was
 going off with the tide this evening; we sent Sergt. Pryor and a party
 after her who recovered and brought her back. our sick consisting of
 Gibson, Bratton, Sergt. Ordway, Willard and McNeal are all on the
 recovery. we have not had as may sick at any one time since we left
 Wood River. the general complaint seams to be bad colds and fevers,
 something I beleive of the influenza.
 The Antelope is found in the great plains of Columbia and are the same
 of those on the Missouri found in every part of that untimbered
 country. they are by no means as plenty on this side of the Rocky
 Mountains as on the other. the natives here make robes of their skins
 dressed with the hair on them. when the salmon begin to decline in the
 latter end of the sunme and Autumn the natves leave the river, at least
 a majority and remove to the plains at some distance for the purpose of
 hunting the Antelope. they pursue them on horse back and shoot them
 with their arrows. The sheep is found in various parts of the Rocky
 mountains, but most commonly in those parts which are timbered and
 steep. they are also found in greater abundance on the Chain of
 mountains with form the commencement of the woody country on this coast
 and which pass the Columbia between the great falls and rapids we have
 never met with this anamal ourselves but have seen many of their skins
 in possession of the natives dressed with the wooll on them and aso
 seen the blankets which they manufacture of the wooll of this sheep.
 from the skin the animal appears to be about the size of the common
 sheep; of a white colour. the wooll is fine on most parts of the body
 but not so long as that of our domestic sheep. the wooll is also curled
 and thick. on the back and more particularly on the top of the neck the
 wooll is intermixed with a considerable proportion of long streight
 hairs. there is no wooll on a small part of the body behind the
 sholders on each side of the brisquit which is covered with a short
 fine hairs as in the domestic sheep. form the signs which the Indians
 make in discribing this animal they have herect pointed horns, tho one
 of our Engages La Page, assures us that he saw them in the black hills
 where the little Missouri passes them, and that they were in every
 rispect like the domestic sheep, and like them the males had lunated
 horns bent backwards and twisted. I should be much pleased at meeting
 with this animal, but have had too many proofs to admit a doubt of it's
 existing and in considerable numbers in the mountains near this coast.
 the Beaver and common Otter have before been mentioned in treating of
 the occupations of the natives in hunting fishing &c. these do not
 differ from those of other parts of the Continent.
 
 
 [Clark, February 22, 1806]
 Saturday February 22nd 1806
 We were visited to day by two Clatsops women and two boys who brought a
 parcel of excellent hats made of Cedar bark, and ornemented with bear
 grass. two of those hats had been made by measure which Capt Lewis and
 my Self had given a woman Some time Since, with a request to make each
 of us a hat; they fit us very well, and are in the form we desired
 them. we purchased the hats and distribeted them among the party. the
 woodwork and sculpture of these people as well as those hats and the
 water proof baskits evince an ingenuity by no means common among the
 Aborigenes of America. in the evining they returned to their village
 and Drewyer accompanied them in order to get Some dogs &c. These women
 informed us that the Small fish began to run which we suppose to be
 herring from their discription. they also informed us that their Chief
 Conia Comawool, had gorn up the Columbia to the Vally in order to
 purchase Wappatoe, a part of which he entended tradeing with us on his
 return. our sick consisting of Gibson, Bratten, Willard McNeal and
 Baptiest LaPage is Something better Serjt. Ordway is complaining of a
 Coald & head ake. we have not had as many Sick at one time Since we
 left the Settlements of the Illinois. the general Complaint appears to
 be bad colds and fevers, with a violent pain in the head, and back,
 something I believe of the influenza.
 The Antelope is found in the great plains of Columbia and are the Same
 with those of the Missouri found in every part of that untimbered
 Country. they are by no means as plenty on this Side of the Rocky
 Mountains as on the other. the nativs here make robes of their Skins
 dressed withe the hair on them. when the Salmon begin to decline in the
 latter end of Summer and autumn, the nativs leave the river, at least a
 majority and move out into the plains at Some distance for the purpose
 of hunting the Antelope. they pursue them on hors back and Shute them
 with their arrows.
 The Sheep is found in various parts of the Rocky Mountains, but most
 Commonly on those parts which are timbered and Steep. they are also
 found in greater abundance on the chain of mountains which forms the
 Commencement of the woody country on this Coast and which pass the
 Columbia between the great falls and rapids. we have never met with
 this animal ourselves but have Seen maney of their Skins in the
 possession of the nativs dressed with the wool on them and also Seen
 and have the blankets which they manufacture of the wool of this Sheep.
 from the Skin the animal appears to be about the Size of the common
 Sheep; of a white colour. the wool is fine on most parts of the body,
 but not so long as that of the domestic Sheep; the wool is also Curled
 and thick. on the back and more particularly on the top of the neck the
 wool is intermixed with a Considerable proportion of long Streight
 hair. there is no wool on a Small part of the body behind the Sholders
 on each Side of the brisquit which is covered with a Short fine hairs
 as in the domestic Sheep. from the Signs which the Indians make in
 discribing this animale they have herect pointed horns, tho one of our
 Engages Lapage, assures us that he Saw them in the Black hills where
 the Little Missouri river passes them, and that they were in every
 respect like our domestic Sheep, and like them the mail had lunated
 horns bent backwards and twisted. I should be much pleased at meeting
 with this animal. but have had too maney proofs to admit a doubt of
 it's existing and in considerable numbers in the mountains on this
 Coast. The Beaver and Common Otter have before been mentioned in
 treating of the Occupation of the nativs in hunting, fishing, &c. these
 do not differ from those of other parts of the Continent-.-.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 23, 1806]
 Sunday February 23rd 1806.
 not anything transpired during this day worthy of particular notice.
 our sick are all on the recovery, except Sergt. Ordway who is but
 little wose and not very ill tho more so than any of the others. the
 men have provided themselves very amply with mockersons and leather
 cloathing, much more so indeed than they ever have since they have been
 on this voige.
 The Sea Otter is found on the sea coast and in the salt water. this
 anamal when fully grown is as large as a common mastive dog. the ears
 and eyes are remarkaby small, particularly the former which is not an
 inch in length thick fleshey and pointed covered with short hair. the
 tail is about 10 inches in length thick where it joins the body and
 tapering to a very sharp point; in common with the body it is covered
 with a deep fir particularly on the upper side, on the under part the
 fur is not so long. the legs are remarkably short and the feet, which
 have five toes each are broad large and webbed. the legs are covered
 with fur and the feet with short hair. the body of this animal is long
 and nearly of the same thickness throughout. from the extremity of the
 tail to that of the nose they will measure 5 feet or upwards. the
 colour is a uniform dark brown and when in good order and season
 perfectly black and glossey. it is the riches and I think the most
 delicious fur in the world at least I cannot form an idea of any more
 so. it is deep thick silkey in the extreem and strong. the inner part
 of the fur when opened is lighter than the surface in it's natural
 position. there are some fine black and shining hairs intermixed with
 the fur which are reather longer and add much to it's beauty. the nose,
 about the eyes ears and forehead in some of these otter is of a lighter
 colour, sometimes a light brown. those parts in the young sucking Otter
 of this species is sometimes of a cream coloured white, but always much
 lighter than the other parts. the fur of the infant Otter is much
 inferior in point of colour and texture to that of the full grown
 otter, or even after it has been weaned. there is so great a difference
 that I have for some time supposed it a different animal; the Indians
 called the infant Otter Spuck, and the full grow or such as had
 obtained a coat of good fur, E-luck'-ke. this still further confirmed
 the opinion of their being distinct species; but I have since learned
 that the Spuck is the young Otter. the colour of the neck, body, legs
 and tail is a dark lead brown. The mink is found in the woody country
 on this coast, and dose not differ in any particu from those of the
 Atlantic coast. the seal are found here in great numbers, and as far up
 the Columbia river as the great falls above which there are none. I
 have reason to beleive from the information of the men that there are
 several species of the seal on this coast and in the river but what the
 difference is I am unable to state not having seen them myself
 sufficiently near for minute inspection nor obtained the different
 kinds to make a comparison. the skins of such as I have seen are
 covered with a short coarse stiff and glossey hair of a redish hey
 brown colour. tho the anamal while in the water or as we saw them
 frequently in the river appear to be black and spoted with white
 sometimes. when we first saw those animals at the great falls and
 untill our arrival at this place we conseived they were the Sea Otter.
 but the indians here have undeceived us.--I am not much acquainted with
 the Seal but suppose that they are the same common also to the Atlantic
 Ocean in the same parallel of latitude. the skins I have seen are
 precisely such as our trunks are frequently covered with.
 
 
 [Clark, February 23, 1806]
 Sunday February 23rd 1806.
 Not any thing transpired desering particular notice. our Sick are all
 on the recovery. the men have provided themselves verry amply with
 mockersons & leather clothing, much more So indeed than they have ever
 been Since they have been on the voyage.
 The Sea Otter is found only on the Sea Coast and in the Salt water.
 Those animals which I took to be the Sea Otter from the Great Falls of
 the Columbia to the mouth, proves to be the Phosia or Seal which at a
 little distance has every appearance of the Sea Otters. The Sea otter
 when fully grown is as large as the common mastif dog, the eail and
 Eyes are remarkably Small, particularly the former which is not an inch
 in length thick fleshey and pointed, Covered with short hair. the tail
 is about 10 inches in length thick where it joins the body and tapering
 to a very Sharp point; in common with the body it is covered with a
 deep fur particularly on the upper Side, on the under part the fur is
 not So long. the legs are remarkably Short and the feat which have five
 toes each are broad large and webbed. the legs are covered with fur and
 the feet with Short hair. the body of this Animal is long and nearly of
 the Same thickness throughout. from the extremity of the tail to that
 of the nose they will measure 5 feet or upwards. the colour is of a
 uniform dark brown, and when in good order and Season perfectly Black
 and Glossey. it is the richest and I think the most delightfull fur in
 the world at least I cannot form an idea of any more so. it is deep
 thick silky in the extream and Strong. the inner part of the fur when
 open is lighter than the surface in its natural position. there are
 Some fine black Shineing hairs intermixed with the fur which are
 reather longer and add much to its beauty. the nose, about the eyes,
 ears and forehead in Some of those otter is of a light Colour,
 Sometimes a light brown. those parts in the young Suckling otters of
 this Species is Sometimes of a creem colour'd white, but always much
 lighter than the other parts. the fur of the infant otter is much
 inferior in point of colour, and texture, to that of the full grown
 otter, or even after it has been weened-. there is so great a
 difference that I have for Some time Supposed it a different animal;
 the Indians Call the infant otter Spuck, and the full grown or such as
 had obtained a Coat of good fur, E luck'ko. this Still further
 confirmed the opinion of their being distinct Species; but I have Since
 lerned that the Spuck is the young otter. the Colour of the neck, body,
 legs and tail is a dark lead brown. The Mink is found in the woody
 Country on this Coast and does not differ in any particular from those
 of the Atlantic Coasts.
 The Seal or Phoca are found here in great numbers, and as far up the
 Columbia as the great Falls, above which there are none. I have reasons
 to believe from the information of the men that there are Several
 Species of the Phoca on this Coast and in the river, but what the
 difference is I am unable to State not haveing Seen them myself
 Sufficiently near for manute inspection nor obtain the different kinds
 to make a comparison. the Skins of Such as I have Seen are covered with
 a Short thick Coarse Glossy hair of a redish bey brown Colour. tho the
 animal while in the water, or as we saw them frequently in the river
 appear to be black and Spoted with white sometimes. I am not much
 acquainted with the Seal, but Suppose that they are the Same common
 also to the atlantic Ocian in the Same parrelal of Latitude. the Skins,
 or those which I have Seen are presisely Such as trunks are frequently
 Covered with. the flesh of this animal is highly prised by the nativs
 who Swinge the hair off and then roste the flesh on Sticks before the
 fire.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 24, 1806]
 Monday February 24th 1806.
 Our sick are still on the recovery. Shannon & Labuishe returned in the
 forenoon; they had killed no Elk and reported that they beleived the
 Elk have retired from their former haunts and gone further back in the
 country to a considerable distance from this place. this is very
 unwelcome information for poor and inferior as the flesh of this animal
 is it is our principal dependance for subsistence.
 This evening we were visited by Comowooll the Clatsop Chief and 12 men
 women & children of his nation. Drewyer came a passenger in their
 canoe, and brought with him two dogs. The chief and his party had
 brought for sail a Sea Otter skin some hats, stergeon and a species of
 small fish which now begin to run, and are taken in great quantities in
 the Columbia R. about 40 miles above us by means of skiming or scooping
 nets. on this page I have drawn the likeness of them as large as life;
 it as perfect as I can make it with my pen and will serve to give a
 general idea of the fish. the rays of the fins are boney but not sharp
 tho somewhat pointed. the small fin on the back next to the tail has no
 rays of bone being a thin membranous pellicle. the fins next to the
 gills have eleven rays each. those of the abdomen have eight each,
 those of the pinna-ani are 20 and 2 half formed in front. that of the
 back has eleven rays. all the fins are of a white colour. the back is
 of a bluish duskey colour and that of the lower part of the sides and
 belley is of a silvery white. no spots on any part. the first bone of
 the gills next behid the eye is of a bluis cast, and the second of a
 light goald colour nearly white. the puple of the eye is black and the
 iris of a silver white. the underjaw exceeds the uper; and the mouth
 opens to great extent, folding like that of the herring. it has no
 teeth. the abdomen is obtuse and smooth; in this differing from the
 herring, shad anchovey &c of the Malacopterygious Order & Class Clupea,
 to which however I think it more nearly allyed than to any other altho
 it has not their accute and serrate abdomen and the under jaw exceeding
 the upper. the scales of this little fish are so small and thin that
 without minute inspection you would suppose they had none. they are
 filled with roes of a pure white colour and have scarcely any
 perceptable alimentary duct. I find them best when cooked in Indian
 stile, which is by roasting a number of them together on a wooden spit
 without any previous preperation whatever. they are so fat they require
 no additional sauce, and I think them superior to any fish I ever
 tasted, even more delicate and lussious than the white fish of the
 lakes which have heretofore formed my standart of excellence among the
 fishes. I have heard the fresh anchovey much extolled but I hope I
 shall be pardoned for beleiving this quite as good. the bones are so
 soft and fine that they form no obstruction in eating this fish. we
 purchased all the articles which these people brought us; we suffered
 these people to remain all night as it rained, the wind blew most
 violently and they had their women and children with them; the latter
 being a sure pledge of their pacific dispositions. the Sturgeon which
 they brought us was also good of it's kind. we determine to send a
 party up the river to procure some of those fish, and another in some
 direction to hunt Elk as soon as the weather will permit.
 
 
 [Clark, February 24, 1806]
 Monday February 24th 1806
 Our Sick are Still on the recovery. Shannon and Labiche returned in the
 forenoon, they had killed no Elk, and reported that they believe the
 Elk have returned from their former haunts and gorn further back in the
 mountains to a considerable distance from this place. this is very
 unwelcom information, for poore and inferior as the flesh of this
 animale is, it is our principal dependance for Subsistance.
 The Rackoon is found in the woody Country on the Coast in considerable
 quantities. the nativs take a fiew of them in Snars, and deadfalls; tho
 appear not to value their Skins much, and but Seldom prepare them for
 robes. The large Grey Squirel appear to be a native of a narrow tract
 of Country on the upper Side of the mountains below the Great falls of
 Columbia which is pritty well covered in maney parts with a Species of
 white oak. this animal is much larger than the Gray Squirel of our
 Country, it resembles it much in form and colour. it is as large as the
 Fox Squirel of the South Atlantic States. the tail is reather larger
 than the whole of the body and head, the hair of which is long and tho
 inserted on all Sides reispect the horozontal one. the eyes are black,
 whiskers black and long. the back, Sides, head, tale and outer parts of
 the legs are of a blue lead colour grey. the breast, belly, and inner
 parts of the legs are of a pure white. the hair is Short as that of the
 Fox Squirel but is much finer and intermixed with a propotion of fur.
 the nativs make great use of those Skins in forming their robes. this
 Squirel Subsists principally on the acorn and filburts, which last also
 grow abundantly in the Oak Country-. The Small brown Squirel is a
 butifull little animal about the size of the red Squirel of the E.
 States or Something larger than the ground Squirel of the U States. the
 tail is as long as the body and neck formed Somewhat Hat. the eyes
 black, whiskers long and black but not abundant. the back, Sides, head,
 neck and outer parts of the legs are of a redish dark brown. the
 throat, breast, belly and inner parts of the legs are of a pale brick
 red. the tail is a mixture of black and fox coloured red in which the
 black prodomonates in the middle, and the other on the edges and
 extremity. the hair of the body is about 1/2 inch long and So fine and
 soft that it has the appearance of fur. the hair of the tail is coarser
 and double as long. this animal Subsists principally on the Seeds of
 various Species of pine and are always found in the piney Country. they
 are common to the tract of woody country on this coast. they lodge in
 Clefts of rocks, holes in the Ground, old Stumps of trees and the
 hollow trunks of falling timber; in this respect resemble the rat
 always haveing their habitation in or near the earth. The Small Grey
 Squirel Common to every part of the Rocky Mountains which is timbered,
 differ from the dark brown squirel just discribed only in its colour.
 it's back, neck, Sides, head, tail and outer Sides of the legs are of
 brown lead coloured Grey; the tail has a Slight touch of the fox colour
 near the extremity of some of the hairs. the throat, belly, breast, and
 inner part of the legs are of the Colour of tanners ooze and have a
 narrow Stripe of black commencing behing each Sholder and extending
 longitudinally for about 3 inches between the Colours of the Side &
 belly. their habits are also the Same with the dark brown Squirel of
 this neighbourhood, and like them are extreamly nimble and active. The
 Ground Squirel is found in various parts of the Countrey as well the
 Praries as wood lands, and is one of the fiew animals which we have
 Seen in every part of our voy-age. it differs not at all from those of
 the U, States.
 The Barking Squirel and handsom Ground Squirel of the Plains on the
 East Side of the Rocky Mountains are not found in the plains of the
 Columbia.
 This evening we were visited by Comowooll the Clatsop Chief and 14 men
 women and Children of his nation. Drewyer came a pasinger in their
 Canoe, and brought with him two dogs. the Chief and his party had
 brought for Sale a Sea otter Skin, Some hats, Sturgeon and a Species of
 fish which now begins to run and are taken in Great quantities in the
 Columbia River about 40 miles above us by means of Skiming or scooping
 nets. See likeness on the other Side of this leaf or page. Capt Lewis
 gave an old Coat and Vest for a Sea otter Skin, we purchased Several
 hads of the Indian manufactry and distributed them among the party. we
 also purchased a fiew of the Small fish which we found deliciously fine.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 25, 1806]
 Tuesday February 25th 1806.
 It continued to rain and blow so violently that there was no movement
 of the party today. the Indians left us in the morning on their return
 to their village. Willard somewhat worse the other Invalledes on the
 ricovery. I am mortifyed at not having it in my power to make more
 celestial observations since we have been at Fort Clatsop, but such has
 been the state of the weather that I have found it utterly
 impracticable.-
 The Rackoon is found in the woody country on this coast in considerable
 quantities. the natives take a few of them in snars and deadfalls; tho
 appear not to vallue their skins much, and but seldom prepare them for
 robes. The large grey squirrel appears to be a native of a narrow tract
 of country on the upper side of the mountains just below the grand
 falls of Columbia which is pretty well covered in many parts with a
 species of white oak. in short I beleive this squirrel to be
 coextensive with timber only, as we have not seen them in any part of
 the country where pine forms the majority of the timber, or in which
 the oak dose not appear. this animal is much larger than the grey
 squirrel of our country it resembles it much in form and colours. it is
 as large as the fox squirrel of the Southern Atlantic states. the tail
 is reather longer than the whole length of the body and head. the hair
 of which is long and tho inserted on all sides reispect the horizontal
 ones only. the eyes are black. whiskers black and long. the back,
 sides, head, tail and outer part of the legs are of a blue lead
 coloured grey. the breast belley and inner part of the legs are of a
 pure white. the hair is short as that of the fox-squirrel but is much
 finer and intermixed with a proportion of fur. the natives make great
 use of these skins in forming their robes. this squirrel subsists
 principally on the acorn and filbird which last also grows abundantly
 in the oak country.--The small brown squirrel is a beautifull little
 animal about the size and form of the red squirrel of the Eastern
 Atlantic states and western lakes. the tail is as long as the body and
 neck, formed like that of the red squirrel or somewhat flat. the eyes
 black. whiskers long and black but not abundant. the back, sides, head,
 neck and outer part of the legs are of a redish dark brown. the throat,
 breast, belley and inner part of the legs are of a pale brick red. the
 tail is a mixture of black and fox coloured red in which the black
 predominates in the midle and the other on the edges and extremity. the
 hair of the body is about 1/2 an inch long and so fine and soft that it
 has the appearance of fur. the hair of the tail is coarser and doubly
 as long. this animal subsists principally on the seeds of various
 species of pine, and are always found in the piny country they are
 common to the tract of wooddy country on this coast. they lodge in
 clifts of rocks, holes in the ground old stumps of trees and the hollow
 trunks of fallen timber; in this rispect resembling the rat, always
 having their habitatin in or near the earth. the small grey squirrel
 common to every part of the rocky mountain which is timbered, difirs
 from the dark brown squirrel just discribed only in it's colour. it's
 back, sides, neck, head tail and outer side of the legs are of a brown
 lead coloured grey; the tail has a slight touch of the fox colour near
 the extremity of some of the hairs. the throat, breast, belley, and
 inner parts of the legs are of the colour of tanner's ooze and have a
 narrow stripe of black, commencing just behide each sholder and
 extending longitudinaly for about 3 inches betwen the colours of the
 sides and belley. their habids are also the same of the dark brown
 squirrel of this neighbourhood and like them are extreemly nimble and
 active. the ground squirrel is found in every part of the country, as
 well the praries as woodlands, and is one of the few animals which we
 have seen in every part of our voyage. it differs not at all from those
 of the U States. the barking squirrel and handsome ground squirrel of
 the plains on the East side of the rocky mountains are not found in the
 plains of Columbia.
 
 
 [Clark, February 25, 1806]
 Tuesday February 25th 1806
 It continued to rain and blow So violently that there was no movement
 of the party to day. the Indians left us in the morning on their return
 to their village. Willard Somewhat worse the others are on the
 recovery. we are mortified at not haveing it in our power to make more
 Celestial observations since we have been at Fort Clatsop, but Such has
 been the State of the weather that we have found it utterly
 impractiable-. I purchased of the Clatsops this morning about half a
 bushel of Small fish which they had cought about 40 miles up the
 Columbia in their scooping nets. as this is an uncommon fish to me and
 one which no one of the party has ever Seen. on the next page I have
 drawn the likeness of them as large as life; it's as perfect as I can
 make it with my pen and will Serve to give a general idea of the fish.
 the rays of the fins are boney but not Sharp tho Somewhat pointed. the
 Small fin on the back next to the tail has no rays of bone being a thin
 membranous pellicle. the fins next to the gills have eleven rays each.
 those of the abdomen have Eight each, those of the pinna ani are 20 and
 2 half formed in front. that of the back has eleven rays. all the fins
 are of a white colour. the back is of a blueish duskey colour and that
 of the lower part of the Sides and belly is of a Silvery White. no
 Spots on any part. the first of the gills next behind the eye is of a
 blueish cast, and the second of a light gold colour nearly white. the
 puple of the eye is black and the iris of a silver white. the under jaw
 exceeds the upper; and the mouth opens to great extent, folding like
 that of the Herring. it has no teeth. the abdomen is obtuse and Smooth;
 in this differing from the herring, Shad, anchovey &c. of the
 Malacapterygious Order and Class Clupea, to which however I think it
 more nearly allyed than to any other altho it has not their accute and
 Serrate abdomen and the under jaw exceeding the upper. the scales of
 this little fish are So small and thin that without manute inspection
 you would Suppose they had none. they are filled with roes of a pure
 white Colour and have Scercely any perceptable alimentary duct. I found
 them best when cooked in Indian Stile, which is by rosting a number of
 them together on a wooden spit without any previous preperation
 whatever. they are so fat that they require no aditional sauce, and I
 think them Superior to any fish I ever tasted, even more dilicate and
 lussious than the white fish of the Lakes which have heretofore formed
 my Standard of excellence among the fishes. I have herd the fresh
 anchovey much extoll'd but I hope I shall be pardened for believeing
 this quit as good. the bones are So Soft and fine that they form no
 obstruction in eating this fish.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 26, 1806]
 Wednesday February 26th 1806.
 This morning we dispatched Drewyer and two men in our Indian canoe up
 the Columbia River to take sturgeon and Anchovey. or if they were
 unsuccessfull in fishing we directed them to purchase fish from the
 natives for which purpose we had furnished them with a few articles
 such as the natives are pleased with. we also Sent Shields, Joseph
 Fields and Shannon up the Netul to hunt Elk. and directed Reubin Fields
 and some others to hunt in the point towards the praries of Point
 Adams. thus we hope shortly to replenish our stock of provision which
 is now reduced to a mere minnamum. we have three days provision only in
 store and that of the most inferior dryed Elk a little tainted. a
 comfortable prospect for good living. Sewelel is the Chinnook and
 Clatsop name for a small animal found in the timbered country on this
 coast. it is more abundant in the neighbourhood of the great falls and
 rapids of the Columbia than immediately on the coast. the natives make
 great use of the skins of this animal in forming their robes, which
 they dress with the fur on them and attatch together with sinews of the
 Elk or deer. I have never seen the animal and can therefore discribe it
 only from the skin and a slight view which some of our hunters have
 obtained of the living animal. the skin when dressed is from 14 to 18
 inches in length and from 7 to 9 in width; the tail is always severed
 from the skin in forming their robes I cannot therefore say what form
 or length it is. one of the men informed me that he thought it reather
 short and flat. that he saw one of them run up a tree like a squirrel
 and that it returned and ran into a hole in the ground. the ears are
 short thin pointed and covered with short fine hair. they are of a
 uniform colour, a redish brown; tho the base of the long hairs, which
 exceed the fur but little in length, as well as the fur itself is of a
 dark colour for at least two thirds of it's length next to the skin.
 the fur and hair are very fine, short, thickly set and silky. the ends
 of the fur and tips of the hair being of the redish brown that colour
 predominates in the ordinary appearance of the animal. I take this
 animal to be about the size of the barking squirrel of the Missouri.
 and beleive most probably that it is of the Mustela genus, or perhaps
 the brown mungo itself. I have indeavoured in many instances to make
 the indians sensible how anxious I was to obtain one of these animals
 entire, without being skined, and offered them considerable rewards to
 furnish me with one, but have not been able to make them comprehend me.
 I have purchased several of the robes made of these skins to line a
 coat which I have had made of the skins of the tiger cat. they make a
 very pleasant light lining. the Braro so called by the French engages
 is an animal of the civit genus and much resembles the common badger.
 this is an inhabitant of the open plains of the Columbia as they are of
 those of the Missouri but are sometimes also found in the woody
 country. they burrow in the hard grounds of the plains with surprising
 ease and dexterity an will cover themselves in the ground in a very few
 minutes. they have five long fixed nails on each foot; those of the
 forefeet are much the longest; and one of those on each hind foot is
 double like those of the beaver. they weigh from 14 to 18 lbs. the body
 is reather long in proportion to it's thickness. the forelegs
 remarkably large and muscular and are formed like the ternspit dog.
 they are short as are also the hind legs. they are broad across the
 sholders and brest. the neck short. the head is formed much like the
 common fist dog only that the skull is more convex. the mouth is wide
 and furnished with sharp streight teeth both above and below, with four
 sharp streight pointed tusks, two in the upper and two in the lower
 jaw. the eyes are black and small. whiskers are plased in four points
 on each side near the nose and on the jaws near the opening of the
 mouth. the ears are very short wide and appressed as if they had ben
 cut off. the apperture through them to the head is remarkably small.
 the tail is about 4 inches long; the hair longest on it at it's
 junction with the body and becoming shorter towards it's extremity
 where it ends in an accute point. the hairs of the body are much longer
 on the side and rump than any other part, which gives the body and
 apparent flatness, particularly when the animal rests on it's belley.
 this hair is upwards of 3 inches in length particularly on the rump
 where it extends so far towards the point of the tail that it almost
 conceals the shape of that part and gives to the whole of the hinder
 part of the body the figure of an accute angled triangle of which the
 point of the tail forms the accute angle. the small quantity of coarse
 fur which is intermixed with the hair is of a redish pale yellow. the
 hair of the back, sides, upper part of the neck and tail, are of a
 redish light or pale yellow for about 2/3rds of their length from the
 skin, next black, and then tiped with white; forming a curious mixture
 of grey and fox coloured red with a yellowish hue. the belley flanks
 and breast are of the foxcoloured redish yellow. the legs black. the
 nails white the head on which the hair is short, is varia gated with
 black and white. a narrow strip of white commences on the top of the
 nose about 1/2 an inch from it's extremity and extends back along the
 center of the forehead and neck nearly to the sholders--two stripes of
 black succeed the white on either side imbracing the sides of the nose,
 the eyes, and extends back as far as the ears. two other spots of black
 of a ramboidal figure are placed on the side of the head near the ears
 and between them and the opening of the mouth. two black spots also
 immediately behind the ears. the other parts of the head white. this
 animal feeds on flesh, roots, bugs, and wild fruits.--it is very clumsy
 and runs very slow. I have in two instances out run this animal and
 caught it. in this rispect they are not much more fleet than the
 porcupine.
 
 
 [Clark, February 26, 1806]
 Wednesday February 26th 1806
 This morning we dispatched Drewyer and two men in our indian canoe up
 the Columbia River to take Sturgion and Anchovey. or if they were
 unsucksessfull in fishing we directed them to purchase fish from the
 nativs, for which purpose we had furnished them with a fiew articles
 Such as the nativs are pleased with. we also Sent Shields Jo. Field and
 Shannon up the Netul to hunt Elk. and directed Reubin Field and Some
 other man to hunt in the point towards the Praries & point Adams. thus
 we hope Shortly to replenish our Stock of provisions which is now
 reduced to a mear minnamum. we have three days provisions only in Store
 and that of the most inferior dried Elk a little tainted. what a
 prospect for good liveing at Fort Clatsop at present.
 Se we lel is the Clatsop and Chinnook name for a Small animal found in
 the timbered Country on this Coast. it is more abundant in the
 neighbourhood of the great falls and rapids of the Columbia than
 imediately on the Coast. the nativs make great use of the Skins of this
 animal in forming their robes, which they dress with the fur on them
 and attached together with the sinears of the Elk or Deer. I have never
 Seen the ammale and can therefore only discribe it from the Skin and a
 Slight view which Some of our party have obtained of the liveing
 animal. the Skin when dressed is from 14 to 18 inches in length, and
 from 7 to 9 in width; the tail is always Severed from the body in
 forming their robes, I cannot therefore Say in what form or length it
 is. one of the men informed me that he thought it reather Short and
 flat. that he saw one of them run up a tree like a squirel, and that it
 returned and ran into a hole in the ground. the ears are Short, thin,
 pointed and Covered with Short fine hair. they are of uniform Colour, a
 redish brown; tho the base of the long hairs, exceed the fur but little
 in length, as well as the fur itself is of a Dark colour for at least
 2/3ds of it's length next to the Skin. the fur and hair are very fine,
 Short, thickly Set, and Silky. the ends of the fur and tips of the hair
 is of a redish brown, that colour prodominates in the ordinary
 appearance of the Animate. I took this animal to be about the Size of
 the barking Squirel of the Missouri. and believe most probably that it
 is of the Mustela genus, or perhaps the brown mungo itself I have in
 maney instances endeavured to make the nativs Sensiable how anxious I
 was to obtain one of those animals entire, without being Skined, and
 offered them rewards to furnish me with one, but have not been able to
 make them Comprehend me. we have purchased Several of the roabs made of
 those Skins to loin a westcoat of the Sea otter, which I have made and
 Capt Lewis a Tiger Cat Skin Coat loined with them also, they make a
 very pleasant light lighting.
 The Rat in the rocky mountains on its west side are like those on the
 upper part of the Missouri in and near those Mountains and have the
 distingushing trait of possessing a tail covered with hair like other
 parts of the body; one of these we caught at the white bear Islands in
 the beginning of July last and then partially discribed.
 There is rats in this neighbourhood but I have not seen them it is most
 probable that they are like those of the Atlantic States, or at least
 the native rat of our country which have no hair on their tail. this
 Specis we found on the Missouri as far up it as the woody country
 extended. it is as large as the Common European house rat or reather
 larger is of a lighter Colour bordering more on the lead or drab
 colour, the hair longer; and the female has only four tits which are
 placed far back near the hinder legs. this rat I have Seen in the
 Southern parts of the State of Kentucky & west of the Miami.
 The Mouse and mole of this neighbourhood are the Same as those native
 animals with us.
 The Panther is found indifferently either in the great Plains of
 Columbia the Western Side of the Rocky Mountains or on this coast in
 the timbered country. it is precisily the Same animal common to the
 Atlantic States, and most commonly met with on our frontiers or
 unsettled parts of the Country. this animal is Scerce in the Country
 where they exist and are So remarkable Shye and watchfull that it is
 extreamly dificuelt to kill them.
 The Polecat is found in every part of the Country. they are very
 abundant on Some parts of the Columbia, particularly in the
 neighbourhood of the Great falls & Narrows of that river, where they
 live in the Clifts along the river & feed on the offal of the Indian
 fishing Shores. they are the Same as those of other parts of North
 America.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 27, 1806]
 Thursday February 27th 1806.
 Reubin Fields returned this evening and had not killed anything. he
 reports that there are no Elk towards point Adams. Collins who had
 hunted up the Netul on this side returned in the evening having killed
 a buck Elk. Willard still continues very unwell the other sick men have
 nearly recovered. Gutridge and McNeal who have the pox are recovering
 fast, the former nearly well.
 The rat in the Rocky mountain on it's West side are like those on the
 upper part of the Missouri in and near those mountains and have the
 distinguishing trait of possessing a tail covered with hair like other
 parts of the body; one of those we caught at the White bear Islands in
 the beginning of July last and was then discribed. I have seen the
 nests of those in this neighbourhood but not the animal. I think it
 most probable that they are like those of the Atlantic states or at
 least the native rat of our country which have no hair on the tail.
 this species we found on the Missouri as far up it as the woody country
 extended. it is as large as the common European house rat or reather
 larger, is of a lighter colour bordering more on the lead or drab
 colour, the hair longer; and the female has only four tits which are
 placed far back near the hinder legs. this rat I have observed in the
 Western parts of the State of Georgia and also in Madison's cave in the
 state of Virginia the mouse and mole of this neighbourhood are the same
 as those native animals with us. The Panther is found indifferently
 either in the Great Plains of Columbia, the Western side of the rocky
 mountains or on this coast in the timbered country. it is precisely the
 same animal common to the Atlantic coast, and most commonly met with on
 our frontiers or unsettled parts of the country. this animal is scarce
 in the country where they exist and are so remarkable shye and
 watchfull that it is extreemly difficult to kill them.
 
 
 [Clark, February 27, 1806]
 Thursday February 27th 1806
 Reubin Field returned this evening and had not killed anything, he
 reported that there were no Elk towards point Adams. Collins who had
 hunted up the Netul on this Side returned in the evening haveing killed
 a buck Elk. Willard Still Continue very unwell the other Sick men have
 nearly recovered. Goodrich & McNeal who have the Pox are recovering
 fast, the former nearly well. La Page complaining.
 The Braro so called by the French engages is an animal of the Civit
 genus and much resembles the common badger. this is an enhabitent of
 the open plains of the Columbia as they are of those of the Missouri,
 but are Sometimes also found in the woody country. they burrow in the
 hard Grounds in the Plains with Surprising ease and dexterity and will
 cover themselves in the Ground in a very fiew minits. they have five
 long fixed nails on each foot; those of the fore feet are much the
 longest; and one of those on each hind foot is double like those of the
 beaver. they weigh from 14 to 20 lbs. the body is reather long in
 perportion to its thickness. the fore legs remarkably large and
 muscular and are formed like the turnspit dog. they are Short as also
 the hind legs. they are broad across the Sholders and breast. the neck
 Short, the head is formed much like the Common fist dog only that the
 Skull is more Convex, the mouth is wide and furnishid with long Sharp
 teeth, both above and below, and with four Sharp Streight Pointed
 tushes, two in the upper and two in the lower jaw. the eyes are black
 and Small. Whiskers are placed in four points on each Side near the
 nose and on the jaws near the opening of the mouth. the ears are very
 Short wide and appressed as if they had been cut off. the appertue
 through them to the head is remarkably Small; the tail is about 4
 inches long; the hair longest on it at it's junction, with the body and
 becomeing Shorter towards it's extremity where it ends in an accute
 point. the hairs of the body are much longer on the Sides and rump than
 any other part, which givs the body an appearent flatness, particularly
 when the animal rests on it's belly. this hair is upwards of 3 inches
 in length, particularly on the rump where it extends so far towards the
 point of the tail, that it almost conceals the Shape of that part and
 givs to all the hinder part of the body an accute angled triangle, of
 which the point of the tail forms the accute angle. the Small quantity
 of fur which is intermixed with the hair is of a redish pale yellow.
 the hair of the back, Sides upper part of the neck and tail, are of
 redish light or pale yellow fox about two thirds of their length from
 the Skin, next black, and then tiped with white; forming a curious
 mixture of grey and fox colourd. red with a yellowish hue. the belly
 flanks and breast are of the fox coloured redish yellow. the legs
 black, the nails white. the head on which the hair is short is
 varigated with black and white. a narrow Strip of white Commences on
 the top of the nose about half an inch from its extremity and extends
 back along the Center of the forehead and neck nearly to the Sholders-
 two Stripes of black Suckceed the white on either Side, imbraceing the
 Side of the nose, the eyes, and extends back as far as the ears. two
 other Spots of black of a romboidal figure are placed on the Side of
 the head near the ears and between them and the opening of the mouth.
 two black Spots also imediately behind the ears. the other part of the
 head white. this animal feeds on flesh, roots, bugs and wild fruits.-
 it is very clumsy and runs very Slow, depending more on burring to
 Secure it Self than running. I have in Several instances out run and
 caught this animal. in this respect they are not much more fleet than
 the porcupine.
 
 
 [Lewis, February 28, 1806]
 Friday February 28th 1806.
 Reubin Fields and Collins set out this morning early on a hunting
 excurtion. Kuskelar a Clatsop man and his wife visited us today. they
 brought some Anchovies, Sturgeon, a beaver robe, and some roots for
 sail tho they asked so high a price for every article that we purchased
 nothing but a part of a Sturgeon for which we gave a few fishing hooks.
 we suffered them to remain all night. Shields Jos. Fields and Shannon
 returned late this evening having killed five Elk tho two of them ar on
 a mountain at a considerable distance. we ordered these hunters to
 return early in the morning and continue their hunt, and Sergt. Gass to
 take a party and go in quest of the Elk which they had killed. the
 hunters inform us that the Elk are tolerable plenty near the mountains
 about 9 or ten miles distant. Kuskelar brought a dog which Cruzatte had
 purchased.
 The hare on this side of the Rocky mountains is exclusively the
 inhabitant of the great Plains of Columbia, as they are of those of the
 Missouri East of these mountains. they weigh from 7 to eleven pounds.
 the measure of one which weighed ten lbs. was as follows. from the
 extremity of the hinder, to that of the fore feet when extended 3 F.
 length from nose to the extremity of the tail 2 F. 2 I. hight when
 standing erect 1 F. 3 I. girth of the body 1 F. 4 I. length of tail
 61/2 I. length of ear 51/2 I. width of do 3 1/8 I. from the hip to the
 extremity of toe of the hind foot 1 F. 41/4 I.--the eye is large and
 prominent. the pupil is circular, of a deep sea green and occupys one
 third of the diameter of the eye, the iris is of a bright yellowish
 silver colour. the ears are placed far back on the head and very near
 each other, they are flexable and the animal moves them with great ease
 and quickness, and can dilate and throw them forward, or contract and
 fold them on his back at pleasure. the fold of the front of the ear is
 of a redish brown colour, the inner folds or those which lie together
 when the ears are thrown back, and which occupy 2/3ds of the width of
 the ears are of a pure white except the tips of the ears for about an
 inch. the hinder folds or those which lie on the back are of a light
 grey. the head neck, back, sholders, sides, & outer part of the legs
 and thyes are of a lead coloured grey; the sides as they approach the
 belley become gradually more white. the belley, brest, and inner part
 of the legs and thyes are white, with a slight shade of the lead
 colour. the tail is round and blontly pointed, covered with fine soft
 white fur not quite as long as on the other parts of the body. the body
 is covered with a deep fine soft close fur. the colours here discribed
 are those which the animal assumes from the middle of April to the
 middle of November, the ballance of the year they are of a pure white,
 except the black and redish brown of the ears which never changes. a
 few redish brown spots are sometimes seen intermixed with the white, at
 this season, on their heads and upper part of the neck and sholders.
 the body of this animal is smaller and longer in proportion to it's
 hight than the rabbit. when it runs it carrys it's tail streight behind
 in the direction of it's body. they appear to run with more ease and
 bound with greater agility than any animal I ever saw. they are
 extreemly fleet and never burrow or take sheter in the ground when
 pursued. it's teeth are like those of the rabbit as is also it's upper
 lip which is divided as high as the nose. it's food is grass, herbs,
 and in winter feeds much on the bark of several aromatic shrubs which
 grow in the plains and the young willow along the rivers and other
 wartercourses.--I have measured the leaps of this animal and find them
 commonly from 18 to 21 feet. they are generally found seperate, and
 never seen to asscociate in any number or more than two or three.--the
 rabbit are the same of our country and are found indifferently either
 in the praries or woodlands. they are not very abundant in this
 country. The Pole-cat is also found in every part of the country. they
 are very abundant on some parts of the columbia, particularly in the
 neighbourhood of the great falls and narrows of that river, where they
 live in the clifts along the river and feed on the offal of the Indian
 fishing shores. these are the same as those of other parts of North
 America.
 
 
 [Clark, February 28, 1806]
 Friday February 28th 1806
 Reuben Field and Collins Set out this morning early on a hunting
 excurtion up the Netul. Kus ke-lar a Clatsop man, his wife and a Small
 boy (a Slave, who he informed me was his Cook, and offerd to Sell him
 to me for beeds & a gun) visited us to day they brought Some anchovies,
 Sturgeon, a beaver robe, and Some roots for Sale tho they asked Such
 high prices for every article that we purchased nothing but a part of a
 Sturgeon for which we gave a fiew fishing hooks. we Suffered them to
 Stay all night. Shields Jos. Field and Shannon returned late this
 evening haveing killed five Elk tho two of them are of a mountain at a
 considerable distance. we ordered these hunters to return early in the
 morning and continue the hunt, and Sergt. Gass to take a party and go
 in quest of the Elk which they had killed. the hunters informed us that
 the Elk is tolerable plenty near the mountains about nine or ten miles
 distant. Kuskalaw brought a dog which Peter Crusat had purchased with
 his Capo which this fellow had on.
 The Hare on this Side of the Rocky Mountains is exclusively the
 inhabitents of the Great Plains of Columbia, as they are of those of
 the Missouri East of the mountains. they weigh from 7 to 12 pounds. the
 measure of one which weighed 10 pounds, was as follows. from the
 extremity of the hinder, to that of the fore feet when extended 3 Feet.
 length from nose to the extremity of the tail 2 feet, 2 inches. Hight
 when Standing erect 1 foot, 3 inches-. Girth of the body 1 foot, 4
 inches-. length of tail 61/2 inches-. length of ear 51/2 inches-. width
 of ear 3 inches and 1/8-. from the hip to the extremity of toe of the
 hind foot 1 foot 41/4 inches-. The eye is large and prominent. the
 pupil is circular, of a deep Sea Green and Occupies one third of the
 diamiter of the eye, the iris is of a bright yellowish silver colour.
 The ears are placed far back on the head and very near each other, they
 are flexable and the animal moves them with great ease and quickness
 and can dilate and throw them foward, or contract and fold them on his
 back at pleasure. the fold of the front of the ear is of a redish brown
 colour, the inner folds are those which lie together when the ears are
 thrown back, and which occupies 2/3ds of the width of the ears of a
 pure white except the tips of the ears for about an inch. the hinder
 folds or those which lie on the back are of a light grey; the Sides as
 they approach the belly become gradually more white, the belly brest,
 and inner part of the legs and thyes are white, with a Slight Shade of
 a lead Colour. The Head, neck, back Sholders, Sides, outer part of the
 legs and thyes are of a Lead Coloured Grey. the tail is bluntly pointed
 and round, covered with fine Soft white fur not quite as long as on the
 other parts of the body. the body is covered with a deep fine Soft
 close fur. the colours here discribed are those which the Animale
 assumes from the middle of April to the middle of November, the
 ballance of the year they are of a pure white, except the black and
 redish brown of the ears which never changes. a fiew redish brown spots
 are Sometimes Seen intermixed with the white, at this Season on the
 heads and upper parts of the neck an Sholders. The body of this animal
 is Smaller and longer in purpotion to it's hight than the Rabbit. when
 it runs it carrys its tail Streight behind in the direction of it's
 body. they appear to run with more ease and bound with greater agility
 than any animal I ever saw. they are extreemly fleet and never burrow
 or take Shelter in the grounds when pursued. it's teeth are like those
 of the rabit, as is also its upper lip which is divided as high as the
 nose. it's food is Grass, herbs, and in winter feeds much on the bark
 of Several arematic Shrubs which grow in the plains and the young
 willows along the rivers and other water courses.--I have measured the
 leaps of this animal and find them commonly from 18 to 22 feet. they
 are Generally found Seperate, and never Seen to associate in any number
 or more than two or three.