University of Virginia Library

XXIII. The ORIGINAL JOURNALS OF
LEWIS AND CLARK

Chapter XXIII

AT FORT CLATSOP

XXIII. Lewis's Journal, January 21-March 17, 1806
Clark's Journal, January 21-March 17

[Lewis:]

Wednesday (Tuesday) January 21st. 1806.

TWO of the hunters Shannon & Labuish returned having
killed three Elk. Ordered a party to go in quest
of the meat early tomorrow morning and the hunters
to return and continue the chase. the Indians left us about
12 OClk. The root of the thistle, called by the natives Shan-ne-tah-que[1]
is [a] perpendicular fusiform and possesses from
two to four radicles; is from 9 to 15 Inc[h]es in length and
about the size [of] a mans thumb; the rhind somewhat rough
and of a brown colour; the consistence when first taken from
the earth is white and nearly as crisp as a carrot; when prepared
for uce by the same process before discribed of the white
bulb or pashshequo quawmash, it becomes black, and is more
shugary than any f [r]uit or root that I have met with in uce
among the natives; the sweet is precisely that of the sugar in
flavor; this root is sometimes eaten also when first taken from
the ground without any preperation, but in this way is vastly
inferior, it delights most in a deep rich dry lome which has a
good mixture of sand. the stem of this plant is simple ascending

celindric and hisped. the root leaves yet possess their
virdure and are about half grown of a plale green. the cauline
leaf as well as the stem of the last season are now dead, but
in rispect to it's form &c it is simple, crenate, & oblong, reather
more obtuse at it's apex than at the base or insertion; it's
margin armed with prickles while it's disks are hairy, it's insertion
decurrent and position declining. the flower is also dry
and mutilated. the pericarp seems much like that of the
common thistle. it rises to the hight of from 3 to 4 feet.[2]

[Clark:]

Thursday [Tuesday] 21st of January 1806

Two of the hunters Shannon & Labieche returned haveing
killed three Elk, ordered a party to go in quest of the meat
early tomorrow morning and the hunters to return and continue
the chase. the indians left us about 12 oClock.

The root of the thistle called by the nativs Chan-ne-tâk-que
is pirpendicular and possesses from two to 4 radicles; is from
9 to 15 inches in length and is commonly about the Size of a
mans thum the rhine Somewhat rough and of a brown colour;
the consistence when first taken from the earth is white and
nearly as crisp as a carrot, when prepared for use by the
same process before discribed of the white bulb or pash she quo,
qua-mosh, it becomes black and is more Sugary than any root
I have met with among the nativs; the Sweet is prosisely that
of the sugar in flavor, this root is Sometimes eaten when first
taken from the ground without any preperation; in this way
it is well tasted but soon weathers [withers] and becoms hard
and insipped. it delights most in a deep rich moist lome
which has a good mixture of Sand. The Stems of this plant
is simple ascending celindric and hisped. the root leaves,
posses[s] their virdu[r]e and are about half grown of a deep
Green. the Cauline leaf as well as the stem of the last Season
are now dead, but in respect to it's form &c. it is simple

crenated and oblong, rather more obtuce at it's opex than the
base or insertion, it's margin armed with prickles while it's
disks are hairy, its insertion decurrent and position declineing.
the flower is also dry and mutilated the pericarp seems much
like that of the common thistle it rises to the hight of from
3 to 4 feet.

[Lewis:]

Thursday (Wednesday) January 22nd. 1806.

The party sent for the meat this morning returned with it in
the Evening; it was in very inferior order, in short the animals
were poor. Reubin Fields also remained with the other hunters
Shannon & Labuish our late supply of salt is out. we have
not yet heared a sentence from the other two parties of hunter's
who are below us towards Point Adams and the Praries.

There are three species of fern in this neighbourhood the
root one of which the nat[i]ves eat;[3] this grows very abundant
in the open uplands and praries where the latter are not sandy
and consist of teep loose rich black lome. the root is horizontal
sometimes a little deverging or obliquely descending,
frequently dividing itself as it procedes into two equal branches
and shooting up a number of stems; it lies about 4 Inc[h]es
beneath the surface of the earth. the root is celindric, with
few or no radicles and from the size of a goose quill to that
of a man's finger; the center of the root is divided into two
equal parts by a strong flat & white ligament like a piece of
thin tape on either side of this there is a white substance
which when the root is roasted in the embers is much like
wheat dough and not very unlike it in flavour, though it has
also a pungency which becomes more visible after you have
chewed it some little time; this pungency was disagreeable to
me, but the natives eat it very voraciously and I have no
doubt but it is a very nutricious food. the bark of the root
is black, somewhat rough, thin and brittle, it easily seperates
in flakes from the part which is eaten as dose also the internal
liggament. this root perennil. in rich lands this plant rises
to the hight of from 4 to five feet. the stem is smooth celindric,

slightly groved on one side erect about half it's hight
on the 2 first branches thence reclining backwards from the
grooved side; it puts forth it's branches which are in reallyty
long footstalks by pares from one side only and near the edges
of the groove, these larger footstalks are also grooved cilindric
and gradually tapering towards the extremity, puting forth
alternate footstalks on either side of the grove near it's edge;
these lesser footstalks the same in form as the first put forth
from forty to fifty alternate pinate leaves which are sessile,
horizontal, multipartite for half their length from the point
of insertion and terminating in a long shaped apex, and are
also revolute with the upper disk smoth and the lower slightly
cottanny. these alternate leaves after proceeding half the
length of the footstalks cease to be partite and assume the
tongue like form altogether, this plant produces no flower or
fruit whatever, is of a fine green colour in summer and a beautifull
plant, the top is annual and is of course dead at present.

[Clark:]

Friday [Wednesday] 22nd. January 1806.

The party Sent for the Meat this morning returned with it
in the evening; it was in verry inferior order, in Short the
animals were pore. Rieuben Field Shannon and Labiech
remained in the woods to hunt. our late Supply of Salt is
out. we have not heard a word of the other hunters who are
below us towards point adams and the Praries. Some rain this
day at intervales.

There are three Species of fern in this neighbourhood the
root one of which the nativs eate; that of which the nativs
eate produce no flowers whatever or fruit of a fine green Colour
and the top is annual, and in course dead at present.

I observe no difference between the lickrice [licorice] of this
countrey and that Common to maney parts of the United
States where it is sometimes cultivated in our gardins. this
plant delights in a deep lose sandy Soil; here it grows verry
abundant and large; the nativs roste it in the embers and
pound it Slightly with a Small Stick in order to make it
Seperate more readily from the Strong liggaments which forms

the Center of the root; this they discard and chew and Swallow
the ballance of the root; this last is filled with a number of
thin membrencies like network, too tough to be masticated and
which I find it necessary also to discard. This root when
roasted possesses an agreeable flavour not unlike the Sweet
potato. The root of the thistle (described yesterday) after
undergoing the process of Sweting or bakeing in a kiln is sometimes
eaten with the train Oil also, at other times pounded fine
and mixed with cold water, untill reduced to the consistancy of
Gruel; in this way I think it verry agreeable. but the most
Valuable of all their roots is foreign to this neighbourhood I
mean the Wappetoe.

The Wappetoe, or bulb of the Sagitifolia or common arrow
head, which grows in great abundance in the marshey grounds
of that butifull and fertile Vally on the Columbia commenceing
just above the Quick sand River and extending downwards for
about 70 Miles. this bulb forms a principal article of trafic
between the inhabitents of the Vally and those of their neighbourhood
or sea coast.

[Lewis:]

Friday (Thursday) January 23rd. 1806.

This morning dispatched Howard and Warner to the Camp
of the Salt-make[r]s for a supply of salt. The men of the garison
are still busily employed in dressing Elk's skins for cloathing,
they find great difficulty for the want of branes; we have
not soap to supply the deficiency, nor can we procure ashes to
make the lye; none of the pines which we use for fuel affords
any ashes; extrawdinary as it may seem, the greene wood is
consoomed without leaving the residium of a particle of ashes.

The root of the rush [4] used by the natives is a sollid bulb
about one inch in length and usually as thick as a man's thumb,
of an ovate form depressed on two or more sides, covered with
a thin smothe black rind. the pulp is white brittle and easily
masticated either raw or roasted the latter is the way in which
it is most usually prepared for uce. this root is reather insipid
in point of flavour, it grows in greatest abundance along the

sea coast in the sandy grounds and is most used by the Killamucks
and those inhabiting the coast. each root sends up one
stock only which is annual, the root being perenniel. the bulb
is attatched to the bottom of the caulis or stem by a firm small
and strong radicle of about one Inch long; this radicle is
mearly the prolongation of the caulis and decends perpendicularly;
a little above the junction of this radicle with the caulis,
the latter is surrounded in a whorl with a set of small radicles
from 6 to 9 inches long which are obliquely descending. the
caulis is celindric erect hollow and jointed, and is about the
size or reather larger than the largest quill. it rises to
the hight of 3 or 4 feet, not branching nor dose it either bear
flower or seed that I can discover tho' I am far from denying
that it dose so sometimes, but I have not been able to discover
it. the stem is rough like the sand rush and is much like it
when green or in it's succulent state. at each joint it puts out
from twenty to thirty long lineal stellate or radiate & horizontal
leaves which surround the stem. above each joint about half
an inch the stem is sheathed like the sand rush.

[Clark:]

Saturday [Thursday] 23rd. of January 1806

This morning dispatched Howard & Werner to the Camp
of the Salt makers for a Supply of Salt. the men of the garrison
are still busily employed in dressing Elk Skins for Cloathing,
they fine[d] great dificuelty for the want of branes; we
have not Soap to Supply the deficiency, nor can we precure
ashes to make the lye; none of the pine which we use for fuel
afford any ashes; extrawdinary as it may Seem, the green wood
is co[n]sumed without leaveing the risideum of a particle of
ashes.

The root of the rush used by the nativs is a solid bulb about
one inch in length and usially as thick as a mans thumb, of an
ovel form depressed on two or more Sides, covered with a thin
black rine. the pulp is white brittle and easily masticated either
raw or rosted, the latter is the way it is most commonly prepared
for use. this root is reather insippid in point of flavour,
it grows in the Greatest abundance along the Sea coast in the

wet sandy grounds and is most used by the Kil á mox and those
inhabiting the Sea coast. each root Sends up its Stalk which is
annual, the root being perennial. the bulb is atached to the
bottom of the Stem by a firm Small and strong radicle which is
mearly the prolongation of the Stem which is hollow and
jointed and is rather larger than the largest quill. it rises to
the hight of 3 or 4 feet, not branching no[r] does it either bear
flower or Seed that I could discover tho I am far from denying
that it does so sometimes, and perhaps every year, but I have
not been able to discover it, the Stem is rough like the Sand
rush, and it's much like it when green, at each joint it puts
out from 20 to 30 radiate [& horizontal] leaves which Surrounds
the Stem. above each joint about half an inch the Stem is
Shethed like the Sand rush.

The instruments used by the nativs in digging their roots is
a Strong Stick of three feet and a half long Sharpened at the
lower end and its upper inserted into a part of an Elks or
buck's horn which Serves as a handle; standing transvirsely in
the Stick. or it is in this form as thus ☞ [ILLUSTRATION]
A is the lower part which is a little hooked
B is the upper part or handle of Horn.

[Lewis:]

Saturday (Friday) January 24th. 1806.

Drewyer and Baptiest La Paage returned this morning in a
large Canoe with Comowooll and six Clatsops. they brought
two deer and the flesh of three Elk & one Elk's skin, having
given the flesh of one other Elk which they killed and three
Elk's skins to the Indians as the price of their assistance in
transporting the ballance of the meat to the Fort; these Elk
and deer were killed near point Adams and the Indians carryed
them on their backs about six miles, before the waves were
sufficiently low to permit their being taken on board their
canoes. the Indians remained with us all day.[5] The Indians
witnissed Drewyer's shooting some of those Elk, which has
given them a very exalted opinion of us as marksmen and the

superior excellence of our rifles compared with their guns;
this may probably be of service to us, as it will deter them from
any acts of hostility if they have ever meditated any such. My
Air-gun also astonishes them very much; they cannot comprehend
it's shooting so often and without powder; and think
that it is great medicine which comprehends every thing that is
to them incomprehensible.
I observe no difference between the liquorice of this country
and that common to many parts of the United states where it is
also sometimes cultivated in our gardens. this plant delights
in a deep loose sandy soil; here it grows very abundant and
large; the natives roast it in the embers and pound it slightly
with a small stick in order to make it seperate more readily
from the strong liggament which forms the center of the root;
this the natives discard and chew and swallow the ballance of
the root; this last is filled with a number of thin membrenacious
lamela [like net work], too tough to be masticated and which I
find it necessary also to discard. this root when roasted
possesses an agreeable flavour not unlike the sweet pittaitoe.
beside the small celindric root mentioned on the 20th. inst, they
have also another about the same form size and appearance
which they use much with the train oil, this root is usually
boiled; to me it possesses a disagreeable bitterness. the top
of this plant I have never yet seen.[6] The root of the thistle
after undergoing the prossess of sweating or baking in a kiln is
sometimes eaten with the train oil also, and at other time
pounded fine and mixed with could water untill reduced to the
consistency of sagamity[7] or indian mush; in this way I think
it very agreeable. but the most valuable of all their roots is
foreign to this neighbourhood I mean the Wappetoe, or the
bulb of the Sagitifolia or common arrow head, which grows in
great abundance in the marshey grounds of that beatifully and
firtile valley on the Columbia commencing just above the
entrance of Quicksand River, and extending downwards for
about 70 Miles. this bulb forms a principal article of traffic

Heads of Clatsop Indians, by Clark—an old man, a young man,
and a woman; and a child in process of having
its head flattened.

between the inhabitants of the valley and those of this neighbourhood
or sea coast.

The instrument used by the natives in diging their roots is a
strong stick of 3 1/2 feet long sharpened at the lower end and
it's upper inscerted into a part of an Elks or buck's horn
which serves as a handle, standing transversely with the stick
or it is in this form [ILLUSTRATION] A the lower point, B the
upper part or handle.

[Clark:]

Sunday [Friday] 24th. of January 1806

Drewyer and Bapteist laPage returned this morning in a
large Canoe with Commowol and six Clatsops. they brought
two Deer and three Elk and one elk Skin, haveing given the
flesh of one other Elk they killed and three Elk skins to the
Indians as the price of their assistance in transporting the
ballance of the meat to the Fort; these Deer and Elk were
killed near pt. Adams and those Indians Carried them on their
Backs near 4 miles, before the waves were Sufficiently low to
permit their being taken on board their canoes. The indians
remain'd with us all day. The Clapsots witnessed Drewyers
shooting some of those Elk, which has given them a very
exolted opinion of us as marksmen and the Superior excellency
of our rifles compared with their guns; this may probably be
of service to us, as it will deter them from any acts of hostility
if they have ever meditated any such. our air gun also
astonishes them very much, they cannot comprehend its Shooting
So often and without powder, and think that it is great
medison which comprehends every thing that is to them incomprehensible.

The nativs of this neighbourhood ware no further Covering
than a light roabe, their feet legs & every other part exposed
to the frost Snow & ice &c.

[Lewis:]

Sunday (Saturday) January 25th. 1806.

Comowooll and the Clatsops departed early this morning.
At meridian Colter returned and repo[r]ted that his comrade

hunter Willard had continued his hunt from point Adams towards the salt makers; and that they had killed only those
two deer which the Indians brought yesterday. In the even
ing Collins one of the saltmakers returned and reported that
they had mad[e] about one bushel of salt & that himself and that
others had hunted from the salt camp for five days without
killing any thing and they had been obliged to subsist on some
whale which they procured from the natives.

The native fruits and buries in uce among the Indians of
this neighbourhood are a deep purple burry about the size of
a small cherry called by them Shal-lun, a small pale red berrybv /> called Sol'-me; the vineing or low Crambury [Cranberry],
light brown bury reather larger and much the shape of a
black haw; and a scarlet bury about the size of a small Chirry
the plant called by the Canadin Engages of the N.W. sac a com mis produces this bury; this plant is so called from the
circumstance of the Clerks of those trading companies carrying
the leaves of this plant in a small bag for the purpose of smokeing
of which they are excessively fond. the Indians call this
burry[blank space in MS.]

I have lately learned that the natives whome I have heretofore
named as distinct nations, living on the sea coast S.E. of
the Killamucks, are only bands of that numerous nation, which
continues to extend itself much further on that coast than I
have enumerated them, but of the particular appellations of
those distant bands I have not yet been enabled to inform
myself; their language also is somewhat different from the
Clatsops Chinnooks and Cathlâhmâhs; but I have not yet
obtained a vocabulary which I shall do the first oportunity
which offers.

[Clark:]

Monday [Saturday] 25th. of January 1806

Commowol and the Clatsops departed early this morning.
Colter returned and reported that his comrade hunter Willard
had continued his hunt from Point Adams towards the Salt-makers;
and that they had killed only those two deer which
the indians brought yesterday; in the evening Collins one of

the Saltmakers returned and reported that they had made
about one bushel of Salt and that himself and two others had
hunted from the Salt Camp for five days without killing any
thing and they had been obliged to Subsist on Some whale
which they purchased from the nativs.

The native fruits and berries in use among the Indians of
this neighbourhood are a Deep purple about the Size of a
Small cherry called by them Shal lun, a Small pale red berry
called Sol me; the Vineing or low brown berry, a light brown
berry rather larger and much the Shape of a black haw; and
a scarlet berry about the size of a Small Chirry the plant
called by the Canadian Engages of the N.W. Sac a com mis
produces this berry; this plant is so called from the circumstances
of the Clerks of these tradeing Companies carrying the
leaves of this plant in a Small bag for the purpose of Smokeing
of which they are excessively fond the Indians Call this
berry [blank space in MS.]

[Lewis:]

Monday (Sunday) January 26th. 1806.

Werner and Howard who were sent for salt on the 23rd. have
not yet returned, we are apprehensive that they have missed
their way; neither of them are very good woodsmen, and this
thick heavy timbered pine country added to the constant
cloudy weather makes it difficult for even a good woodsman to
steer for any considerable distance the course he wishes. we
ordered Collins to return early in the morning and rejoin the
salt makers, and gave him some small articles of merchandize
to purchase provisions from the Indians, in the event of their
still being unfortunate in the chase. The Shallun (see Feby. 8.
1806) or deep purple berry is in form much like the huckkleberry
and terminates bluntly with a kind of cap or cover at the
end like that fruit; they are attatched seperately to the sides
of the boughs of the shrub by a very short stem hanging
underneath the same and are frequently placed very near each
other on the same bough; it is a full bearer. the berry is
easily geathered as it seperates from the bough readily, while
the leaf is strongly affixed. the shrub which produces this

fruit rises to the hight of 6 or 8 feet sometimes grows on the
high lands but moste generally in the swampy or marshey
grounds; it is an evergreen. the stem or trunk is from three
to 10 Inches in circumference irregularly and much branched,
seldom more than one steem proceding from the same root,
tho' they are frequently associated very thickly. the bark is
somewhat rough and of a redish brown colour. the wood is
very firm and hard. the leaves are alternate declining and
attatched by a short fotstalk to the two horizontal sides of the
boughs; the form is a long oval, reather more accute towards
its apex than at the point of insertion; it's margin slightly
serrate, it's sides colapsing or partially foalding upwards or
channelled; it is also thick firm [s]mothe and glossey, the upper
surface of a fine deep green, while the under disk is of a pale
or whiteish green. this shrub retains it's virdure very perfectly
during the winter and is a beautifull shrub.[8] the natives
either eat these berrys when ripe immediately from the bushes
or dryed in the sun or by means of their sw[e]ating kilns; very
frequently they pound them and bake them in large loaves of
10 or fifteen pounds; this bread keeps very well during one
season and retains the moist jeucies of the fruit much better
than by any other method of preservation. this bread is
broken and stired in could water untill it be sufficiently thick
and then eaten; in this way the natives most generally use it.

[Clark:]

Tuesday [Sunday] 26th. of January 1806

We order Collins to return early in the morning and join
the Salt makers, and gave him Some Small articles of Merchendize
to purchase Some provisions from the indians in the event
of their Still being unfortunate in the chase.

The (Shal-lun) or deep purple berry is in form much like
the huckleberry and termonate bluntly with a kind of cap or
cover at the end like that fruit; they are attached Seperately
to the Sides of the boughs of the shrub by a very short Stem

hanging under neath the same, and are frequently placed verry
near each other on the Same bough it is a full bearer; the
berry is easily gathered as it Seperates from the bough, readily,
while the leaf is Strongly affixed. the Shrub which produces
this fruit rises to the hight of 6 or 8 feet sometimes grows on
high land but most frequently in Swampey or marshey grounds;
it is an ever green. the Stem or trunk is from 3 to 10 inches
in circumferance irrigularly and much branched, seldom more
than one Stem proceeding from the Same root, tho they are
frequently associated very thickly. the bark is Somewhat
rough and of a redish brown colour. the wood is very firm
and hard. the leaves are alternate declining and attachd. by a
Short f[o]otstalk to the two horozontal Sides of the bough's;
the form is a long oval, reather more accute towards its apex
that [than] at the point of insertion; it's sides partially folding
upwards; or channeled, it is also thick Smothe and glossy,
the upper surfice of a fine deep green, while the under disk is
of a pale or whitish green. this shrub retains its verdure verry
perfectly dureing the winter and is a butifull Shrub. the nativs
either eate those berries ripe imediately from the bushes, or
dried in the Sun or by means of the Swetting Kiln; verry
frequently they pound them and bake them in large loaves of
10 or 15 pounds weight; this bread keeps verry well dureing
one Season and retains the moist jouicies of the frute Much
better than any other method of preperation. The bread is
broken and Stured [stirred] in coald water untill it be Sufficiently
thick and then eaten, in this way the nativ's most
generally use it

[Lewis:]

Tuesday (Monday) January 27th. 1806.

This morning Collins set out for the Salt works. in the
evening Shannon returned and reported that himself and party
had killed ten Elk. he left Labuche and R. fields with the
Elk. two of those Elk he informed us were at the distance
of nine miles from this place near the top of a mountain, that
the rout by which they mus[t] be brought was at least four
miles by land through a country almost inaccessible from the

fallen timber, brush and sink-holes, which were now disgu[i]sed
by the snow; we therefore concluded to relinquish those two
Elk for the present, and ordered every man who could be
speared from the fort to go early in the morning in surch of
the other eight.

Goodrich has recovered from the Louis Veneri [lues veneris]
which he contracted from an amorous contact with a Chinnook
damsel. I cured him as I did Gibson last winter by the uce
of murcury. I cannot learn that the Indians have any simples
which are sovereign specifics in the cure of this disease; and
indeed I doubt very much whet[h]er any of them have any
means of effecting a perfect cure. when once this disorder is
contracted by them it continues with them during life; but
always ends in dec[r]ipitude, death, or premature old age; tho'
from the uce of certain simples together with their diet, they
support this disorder with but little inconvenience for many
years, and even enjoy a tolerable share of health; particularly
so among the Chippeways who I believe to be better skilled in
the uce of those simples than any nation of Savages in North
America. The Chippeways use a decoction of the [root of the]
Lobelia, and that of a species of sumac common to the Atlantic
states and to this country near and on the Western side of the
Rocky Mountains. this is the smallest species of the sumac,
readily distinguished by it's winged rib, or common footstalk,
which supports it's oppositely pinnate leaves. these decoctions
are drank freely and without limitation. the same decoctions
are used in cases of the gonnærea and are effecatious and sovereign.
notwithstanding that this disorder dose exist among
the Indians on the Columbia yet it is witnessed in but few
individuals, at least the males who are always sufficiently exposed
to the observations or inspection of the phisician. in
my whole rout down this river I did not see more than two or
three with the gonnærea and about double that number with
the pox.

The berry which the natives call Solme is the production of
a plant about the size and much the shape of that common to
the atlantic states which produces the berry commonly called
Sollomon's seal berry. this berry also is attatched to the top of

the stem in the same manner; and is of a globelar form, consisting
of a thin soft pellicle which encloses a soft pulp inveloping
from three to four seeds, white, firm, smothe, and in the
form of a third or quarter of a globe, and large in proportion
to the fruit or about the size of the seed of the common small
grape. this berry when grown and unripe is not specked as
that of the Solomon's Seal berry is; this last has only one
globular smoth white firm seed in each berry. the Solme
grows in the woodlands among the moss. and is an annual
plant to all appearance.[9]

[Clark:]

Wednesday [Monday] 27th January 1806

This morning Collins Set out to the Saltmakers Shannon
returned and reported that himself and party had killed 10
Elk. he lef[t] Labiech & R. Field with the Elk, two of those
Elk he informed us was at the distance of 9 miles from this
place near the top of a mountain, that the rout by which they
must be brought was at least 5 miles by land thro' a countrey
almost inexcessable, from the fallen timber brush, and Sink
holes, which were now disguised by the Snow; we therefore
concluded to relinquish those two Elks for the present, and
ordered every man that could be speared from the Fort to go
early in the morning in Serch of the other eight, which is at
no great distance from the Ne tul river, on which we are.
Goudrich has recovered from the louis veneri which he contracted
from a amorous contact with a chinnook damsel. he
was cured as Gibson was with Murcury by [blank space in MS.]
I cannot lern that the Indians have any Simples sovereign
specifics in the cure of this disease; indeed I doubt verry much
whether any of them have any means of effecting a perfect
cure. when once this disorder is contracted by them it continues
with them dureing life; but always ends in dec[r]epitude,
death; or premature old age; tho' from the use of certain
simples together with their diet, they support this disorder
with but little inconveniance for maney years, and even enjoy
a tolerable Share of health; particularly So among the Chippeways

who I beleive to be better Skilled in the use of those
Simples than any nation of Indians in North America. The
Chippaways use a decoction of the root of the Labelia, and that
of a Species of sumac common to the Atlantic States and to
this countrey near and on the western Side of the Rocky
Mountains. This is the Smallest species of Sumake, readily
distinguished by it's winged rib, or common foot stalks, which
Supports it's oppositly pinnate leaves. these decoctions are
drank freely and without limatation. the same decoctions are
used also in cases of the Gonnarea and are effecatious and
sovereign. Notwithstanding that this disorder does exist
among the indians on the Columbia yet it is witnessed in but
fiew individuals, high up the river, or at least the males who
are always sufficiently exposed to the observation or inspection
of the phisician. in my whole rout down this river I did not
see more than two or three with Gonnarea and about double
that number with the Pox.

The berry which the nativs call Sol me is the production of
a plant about the Size and much the Shape of that common
to the atlantic States which produces the berry commonly
called Sollomons Seal berry this berry is also attached to the
top of the Stem in the Same manner; and is of a globular
form consisting of a thin Soft [Pellicle] rine which encloses a
Soft [Pellicle] pulp inveloping from 3 to 4 Seed, white firm,
Smothe, and in the form of a third or a quarter of a Globe,
and large in perportion to the fruit, or about the size of the
seed of the common small grape. the berry when grown and
unripe is not Specked as the Solomon's seal berry is; this
last haveing only one Globaler smothe, ferm, white seed in
each berry. the Sol me grows in the woodlands amonge the
moss and on the high ridges. and is an annual plant to all
appearance.

[Lewis:]

Wednesday (Tuesday) January 28th 1806.

Drewyer and Baptiest La Page set out this morning on a
hunting excurtion. about noon Howard and Werner returned
with a supply of salt; the badness of the weather and the

difficulty of the road had caused their delay. they inform us
that the salt makers are still much straitened for provision,
having killed two deer only in the last six days; and that there
are no Elk in their neighbourhood. The party that were sent
this morning up Netul river for the Elk returned in the evening
with three of them only; the Elk had been killed just
before the snow fell which had covered them and so altered
the apparent face of the country that the hunters could not
find the Elk which they had killed. the river on which Fort
Clatsop stands we now call Ne-tul, this being the name by
which the Clatsops call it.

The Cranbury of this neighbourhood is precisely the same
common to the U' States, and is the production of marshey
or boggy grounds.[10] The light brown berry, is the fruit
of a tree about the size shape and appearance in every rispect
with that in the U. States called the wild crab apple;[11]
the leaf is also precisely the same as is also the bark in texture
and colour. the berrys grow in clumps at the end of the small
branches; each berry supported by a seperate stem, and as
many as from 3 to 18 or 20 in a clump. the berry is ovate
with one of it's extremities attatched to the peduncle, where it
is in a small degre[e] concave like the insertion of the stem of
the crab apple. I know not whether this fruit can properly
be denominated a berry, it is a pulpy pericarp, the outer coat
of which is in a thin smoth, tho' firm tough pillecle; the pericarp
containing a membranous capsule with from three to four
cells, each containing a seperate single seed in form and colour
like that of the wild crab. The wood of this tree is excessively
hard when seasoned. the natives make great uce of it to form
their wedges with which they split their boards of pine for the
purpose of building houses. these wedges they also employ
in spliting their fire-wood and in hollowing out their canoes.
I have seen the natives drive the wedges of this wood into
solid dry pine which it cleft without fracturing or injuring the

wedg[e] in the smallest degree. we have also found this wood
usefull to us for ax handles as well as glutts or wedges. the
native also have wedges made of the beams of the Elk's horns
which appear to answer extremely well. this fruit is exceedingly
assid, and resembles the flavor of the wild crab.

[Clark:]

Thursday (Tuesday) 28th. January 1806.

Drewyer and Baptiest Lapage set out this morning on a
hunting excurtion. about noon Howard & Werner returned
with a Supply of Salt; the badness of the weather and the
dificuelty of the road had detained them. they informed us
that the salt makers are still much stratened for provisions
haveing killed two deer only in the last six days; and that
there are no Elk in their neighbourhood.

The party that was Sent up the Netul river for the Elk
returned this evening with three of them only; the Elk had
been killed just before the Snow fell which had covered them
and so altered the apparant face of the countrey that the
hunters could not find them. The River on which Fort Clatsop
Stands we now call Netul, this being the name by which
the Clatsops call it.

The Cranberry of this neighbourhood is precisely the same
common to the united states, and is the production of boggy
or marshey grounds.

The light-brown berry, is the fruit of a tree, about the Size
Shape and appearance in every respect with that in the united
States called the wild Crab apple; the leaf is also precisely the
Same as is also the bark in textu[r]e and colour. the berry
grows in clumps at the ends of the Smaller branches; each
berry supported by a stem, and as maney as from 3 to 18 or
20 in a clump. the berry is oval with one of its extremities
attatched to the peduncle, where it is in a Small degree concave
like the insersion of the Stem of the Crab apple. I know not
whether this fruit can properly be denomonated a berry, it is a
pulpy pericarp, the outer coat of which is a thin smothe, capsule
with from three to four cells, each containing a Seperate
Single Seed in form and colour like that of the wild Crab

apple The wood of this tree is excessively hard when seasoned.
The Nativs make great use of it [to] form their wedges of
which they Split their boards of Pine for the purpose of building
houses. those wedges they employ in common with those
formed of the Elks horn, in Splitting their fire wood and in
hollowing out their canoes. I have seen the nativs drive the
wedges of this wood into a solid dry pine which it cleft without
fractureing [or] injuring the wedge in the smallest degree. we
have also found this wood usefull to us for ax handles, as well
as Glutts or wedges. The bark of this tree is chewed by our
party in place of tobacco.

The fruit is exceedingly ascid and resembles the flavor of the
wild Crab.

[Lewis:]

Thursday (Wednesday) January 29th. 1806.

Nothing worthy of notice occurred today. our fare is the
flesh of lean elk boiled with pure water, and a little salt. the
whale blubber which we have used very sparingly is now
exhausted, on this food I do not feel strong, but enjoy the
most perfect health; a keen appetite supplys in a great degree
the want of more luxurious sauses or dishes, and still renders
my ordinary meals not uninteresting to me, for I find myself
sometimes enquiring of the cook whether dinner or breakfast is
ready.

The Sac a commis[12] is the growth of high dry situations, and
invariably in a piney country or on it's borders. it is generally
found in the open piney woodland as on the Western side
of the Rocky mountain but in this neighbourhood we find it
only in the praries or on their borders in the more open woodlands;
a very rich soil is not absolutely necessary, as a meager
one frequently produces it abundantly. the natives on this
side of the Rocky mountains who can procure this berry invariably
use it; to me it is a very tasteless and insippid fruit.
this shrub is an evergreen, the leaves retain their virdure most
perfectly through the winter even in the most rigid climate as

on lake Winnipic. the root of this shrub puts forth a great
number of stems which seperate near the surface of the ground;
each stem from the size of a small quill of [to] that of a man's
finger; these are much branched the branches forming an
accute angle with the stem, and all more p[r]operly p[r]ocumbent
than creeping, for altho' it sometimes puts forth radicles
from the stem and branches which strike obliquely into the
ground, these radicles are by no means general, equable in their
distances from each other nor do they appear to be calculated
to furnish nutriment to the plant but reather to hold the stem
or branch in it's place. the bark is formed of several thin
layers of a smoth thin brittle substance of a dark or redish
brown colour easily seperated from the woody stem in flakes.
the leaves with rispect to their position are scatered yet closely
arranged near the extremities of the twigs particularly. the
leaf is about 3/4 of an inch in length and about half that in
width, is oval but obtusely pointed, absolutely entire, thick,
smoth, firm, a deep green and slightly grooved. the leaf is
supported by a small footstalk of proportionable length. the
berry is attatched in an irregular and scattered manner to the
small boughs among the leaves, tho' frequently closely arranged,
but always supported by seperate short and small peduncles,
the insertion of which p[r]oduces a slight concavity in the bury
while it's opposite side is slightly convex; the form of the
berry is a spheroid, the shorter diameter being in a line with the
peduncle. this berry is a pericarp the outer coat of which is a
thin firm tough pellicle, the inner part consists of a dry mealy
powder of a yellowish white colour invelloping from four to six
proportionably large hard light brown seeds each in the form
of a section of a spheroid which figure they form when united,
and are destitute of any membranous covering. the colour of
this fruit is a fine scarlet. the natives usually eat them without
any preperation. the fruit ripens in september and remains on
the bushes all winter. the frost appears to take no effect on it.
these berries are sometimes geathered and hung in their lodges
in bags where they dry without further trouble, for in their
most succulent state they appear to be almost as dry as flour.

[Clark:]

Friday [Wednesday] 29th. January 1806.

Nothing worthey of notice occurred to day. our fare is the
flesh of lean Elk boiled with pure water and a little Salt. the
whale blubber which we have used very Spearingly is now
exhosted. on this food I do not feel Strong, but enjoy tolerable
health. a keen appetite supplies in a great degree the
want of more luxurious sauses or dishes, and Still renders my
ordanary meals not uninteresting to me, for I find myself
sometimes enquireing of the Cook whether dinner Supper or
Brackfast is ready. indeed my appetite is but Seldom gratified,
not even after I have eaten what I conceve a sufficency.

Maney of the nativs of the Columbia were hats & most
commonly of a conic figure without a brim confined on the
head by means of a String which passes under the chin and is
attached to the two opposit sides of a secondary rim within the
hat. the hat at top termonates in a pointed knob of a
conic form, or in this [ILLUSTRATION] Shape. these hats are made of
the bark of Cedar and beargrass wrought with the
fingers so closely that it casts the rain most effectually
in the Shape which they give them for their own use or
that just discribed, on these hats they work various figures of
different colours, but most commonly only black and white
are employed. these figures are faint representations of the
whales, the Canoes, and the harpooners Strikeing them.
Sometimes Square dimonds triangle &c. The form of a knife
which seems to be prefured by those people is a double Edged
and double pointed dagger the handle being near the middle
the blades of eneaquel length, the longest from 9 to 10 incs. and
the Shorter one from 3 to 5 inches. those knives they Carry
with them habitually and most usially in the hand, Sometimes
exposed, when in company with Strangers under their Robes.
with this knife they cut & clense their fish make their arrows
&c this is the form of the Knife [ILLUSTRATION] A is a
Small loop of a Strong twine throng
through which they Sometimes they incert the thumb in order
to prevent it being wrested from their hand.[13]

[Lewis:]

Friday (Thursday) January 30th. 1806.

Nothing transpired today worthy of notice. we are agreeably
disappointed in our fuel which is altogether green pine.
we had supposed that it [would] burn but illy, but we have
found that by spliting it that it burns very well. The dress
of the Clatsops and others in this neighbourhood differs but
little from that discribed of the skillutes; they never wear
leggins or mockersons which the mildness of this climate I
presume has rendered in a great measure unnecessary; and
their being obliged to be frequently in the water also renders
those articles of dress inconvenient. they wear a hat of a conic
figure without a brim confined on the head by means of a
stri[n]g which passes under the chin and is attatched to the two
opsite sides of a secondary rim within the hat. the hat at
top terminates in a pointed knob of a connic form also,
or in this [ILLUSTRATION] shape. these hats are made of the bark of
cedar and beargrass [14] wrought with the fingers so
closely that it casts the rain most effectually in the
shape which they give them for their own uce or that just
discribed. on these hats they work various figures of different
colours, but most commonly only black and white are employed.
these figures are faint representations of whales the
canoes and the harpoonneers striking them. sometimes squares
dimonds triangles &c. The form of knife which seems to be
prefered by these people is a double edged and double pointed
daggar; the handle being in the middle, and the blades of
unequal lengths, the longest usually from 9 to ten inches and the
shorter one from four to five. these knives they carry with them
habitually and most usually in the hand, sometimes exposed but
most usually particularly when in company with strangers, under
their robes with this knife they cut and clense their fish make
their arrows &c. this is somewhat the form of [ILLUSTRATION]
the knife A. is a small loop of a strong twine
through which they sometimes insert the thumb in order to
prevent it's being wrested from their hand.

[Clark:]

Fort Clatsop on the Pacific Ocian on the South Side of the Columbia River.
Thursday 30th January 1806 [15]

Nothing transpired today worthy of notice. we are agreeably
disapointed in our fuel which is altogether green pine.
we had supposed that it burned badly, but we have found by
splitting it burns very well.

The dress of the Clatsops and others of the nativs in the
neighbourhood differ but little from that described of the
Skilutes and Waukiacums; they never ware legins or mockersons
which the mildness of the climate I presume has rendered
in a great measure unnecessary; and their being obliged to be
frequently in the water also renders those articles of dress
inconveniant.

The Sac-a-commis is the groth of high dry situations, and
invariably in a piney country or on its borders, it is Generally
found in the open piney woodlands as on the Western side of
the Rocky mountains but in this neighbourhood we find it
in the praries or on the borders in the more open woodland's;
a very rich soil is not absolutely necessary, as a meager one
frequently produces it abundantly. the nativs on the West
side of the Rocky Mountains who can precure this berry
invariably use it; to me it is a very tasteless and insipid frute.
This shrub is an evergreen, the leaves retain their virdu[r]e
most perfectly throughout the winter even in the most rigid
climate as on Lake Winnipic. the root of this shrub puts
fo[r]th a great number of stems which seperate near the surface
of the ground; each Stem from the size of a small quill, to
that of a mans finger; these are much branched forming an
accute angle with the stem, and all more properly procumbent
than crossing; for altho' it sometimes puts forth radicles from
the stems and branches which strike obliquely into the ground,
those radicles are by no means general, equable in their distances
from each other nor do they appear to be calculated
to furnish nutriment to the plant but rather to hold the stem
or branch in its place. the bark is formed of several thin
layers of a Smothe thin brittle substance of a redish brown

colour easily seperated from the woody stem in flakes. the
leaves with respect to their position are scatter'd yet closely
arranged near the extremities of the twigs particularly. the
leaves are about 3/4 of an inch in length and about half that
in width, is oval but obtusely pointed, absolutely entire, thick,
smoth, firm, a deep green and slightly grooved. the leaf is
supported by a small footstalk of preportionable length. the
berry is attached in an irregular and scattered manner to the
small boughs among the leaves, tho' frequently closely arranged,
but always supported by a seperate short and small peduncles,
the incersion of which produces a small concavity in the berry
while its opposite side is slightly convex; the form of the
berry is a spheroid, the shorter diameter being in a line with
the peduncle or stem. this berry is a pericarp the outer coat
of which is a thin firm tough pellicle, the inner part consists
of dry mealy powder of a yellowish white colour invelloping
from four to six propotionably large hard light brown seeds
each in the form of section of a spheroid which figure they
form when united, and are distitute of any membranous covering.
the colour of this fruit is a fine scarlet. the nativs
usually eat them without any preparation. the fruit ripens in
September and remains on the bushes all winter. the frost
appears to take no effects on it. these berries are sometimes
gathered and hung in their houses in bags where they dry
without further trouble, for in their succulent state they appear
to be almost as dry as flour.

[Lewis:]

Saturday (Friday) January 31st. 1806.

Sent a party of eight men up the river this morning to renew
their surch for the Elk and also to hunt; they preceded but
a few miles before they found the river so obstructed with ice
that they were obliged to return. Joseph Fields arrived this
evening, informed us that he had been hunting in company
with Gibson and Willard for the last five days in order to
obtain some meat for himself and the other Saltmakers, and
that he had been unsuccessfull untill yesterday evening when
he had fortunately killed two Elk, about six miles distant from

this place and about 8 from the salt works; he left Gibson
and Willard to dry the meat of these Elk and had come for
the assistance of some men to carry the meat to the salt camp;
for this purpose we ordered four men to accompany him early
in the morning. discovered that Mc.Neal had the pox, gave
him medecine. Charbono found a bird dead lying near the
fort this morning and brought it to me I immediately recognized
it to be of the same kind of that which I had seen in the
Rocky mountains on the morning of the 20th of September
last. this bird is about the size as near as may be of the
robbin.[16] it's contour also is precisely the same with that bird.
it measures one foot 3 1/4 Inches from tip to tip of the wings
when extended. 9 1/4 inches from the extremity of the beak to
that of the tail. the tail is 3 3/4 inches in length, and composed
of eleven feathers of the same length. The beak is smoth,
black, convex and cultrated; one and 1/8 inches from the point
to the opening of the chaps and 3/4 only uncovered with
feathers; the upper chap exceeds the other a little in length.
a few small black hairs garnish the [sides of the] base of the
upper chap. the eye is of a uniform deep sea green or black,
moderately large. it's legs feet and tallons are white; the legs
are an inch and a 1/4 in length and smoth; four toes on each
foot, of which that in front is the same length with the leg
including the length of the tallon, which is 4 lines; the three
remaining toes are 3/4 of an inch, each armed with proportionably
long tallons. the toes are slightly imbricated. the tallons
are curved and sharply pointed. The crown of the head from
the beak back to the neck, the back of the head imbracing
reather more than half the circumpherence of the neck, the
back and tale, are of bluish dark brown; the two outer feathers
of the tale have a little dash of white near their tips not perceptible
when the tail is foalded. a fine black forms the
ground of the wings; two stripes of the same colour pass on
either side of the head from the base of the beak along the
side of the head to it's junction with the neck, and imbraces
the eye to it's upper edge; a third stripe of the same colour
3/4 of an inch in width passes from the sides of the neck just
above the butts of the wings across the croop in the form of
a gorget. the throat or under part of the neck brest and belly
is of a fine yellowish brick red. a narrow stripe of this colour
also commences just above the center of each eye, and extends
backwards to the neck as far as the black stripe reaches before
discribed, to which, it appears to answer as a border. the
feathers which form the 1st. and second ranges of the coverts of
the two joints of the wing next the body, are beautifully tiped
with this brick red; as is also each large feather of the wing on
the short side of it's plumage for 1/2 an inch in length commen[c]ing
at the extremity of the feathers which form the first
or main covert of the wing. this is a beatifull little bird. I
have never heard it's note it appears to be silent. it feeds on
berries, and I beleive is a rare bird even in this country, or at
least this is the second time only that I have seen it. between
the legs of this bird the feathers are white, and those which
form the tuft underneath the tail are a mixture of white and a
brick red.

Observed equal altitudes today with Sextant.

   

	h	m	s		h	m	s		°	′	″
A.M.	8.	55.	24	P.M.	1.	11.	58	—Altitude by Sextn.	40.	32.	–.

   

	h	m	s
Chronomometer too slow on Mean Equated Solar time.	1.	10.	26.1

The days of the month for January are right, but the days
of the weak as affixed are all wrong, nor did I discover it untill
this morning.

[Clark:]

Friday January 31st.. 1806

Sent a party of Eight men with the hunters to renew their
serch for the Elk, and also to hunt; they proceeded but a fiew
miles before they found the river so obstructed with ice that
they were obliged to return. Jo. Field arrives this evening,
informs us that he had been hunting in company with gibson
and willard for the last four days in order to obtain some meat
for himself and the other salt makers, and that he had been
unsucksessfull untill yesterday evening when he had fortunately

killed two Elk, about six miles distant from this place and
about 8 from the salt works; he left gibson and willard to dry
the meat of those Elk, and had come for assistance to carry the
meat to the Salt Camp; for this purpose we ordered four men
to accompany him early in the morning. discovered that
McNeal had the pox, gave him medicine. Chabono found
a bird dead lying near the Fort this morning and brought it in,
I reconized it to be the same kind of that which I had seen in
the Rocky Mountains at several different times. this bird is
about the size as near as may be of the robin it's contour is
also presisely the same with that bird. it measured one foot
3/4 inches from tip to tip of the wings when extended. 9 1/4
inches from the extremity of the beak to that of the tail. the
tail is 3 3/4 inches in length, and composed of 11 feathers of
the same length. The beak is smoth, black, convex and
cultrated; 1 1/8 inchs from the point to the opening of the
chaps and 3/4 only uncovered with feathers, the upper chap
exceeds the other a little in length. a fiew small black hairs
garnish the side of the upper chap. The Eye is of a uniform
deep sea green or black, moderately large. it's legs feet and
tallants are white; the legs are of 1 1/4 in length and smoth;
four toes on each foot, of which that in front is the same length
of the leg including the tallants, which is four lines; the 3
remaining toes are 3/4 of an inch, each armed with proportionably
large tallons. the toes are slightly imbricated. the tallons
are curved and sharply pointed. The crown of the head from
the beak back to the neck imbracing rather more than half
the circumphrence of the neck, the Back and tail is of a bluish
dark brown; the two outer feathers of the tail have a little
dash of white near the tips, not proceivable when the tail is
foalded. a fine black forms the ground of the wings; two
stripes of the same colour passes on either side of the Head
from the base of the Back along the side of the head to it's
junction with the neck, and embraces the eye to its upper edge;
a third stripe of the same colour 3/4 of an inch in width passes
from the side of the neck just above the buts of the wings
across the croop in the form of a gorget. the throat or under
part of the neck bust and belly is of a fine yellowish brick red.
a narrow stripe of this colour also commences just above the
center of each eye, and extends backwards to the Neck as far
as the black spots reaches before discribed, to which it appears
to answer as a border. the feathers which form the 1st. and
second range of the coverts of the two joints of the wings next
the body are butifully tiped with this Brick red; as is also each
large feather of the wing on the short side of its plumage for
1/2 an inch in length comencing at the extremity of the
feather which form the first or main covert of the wing. This
is a butiful little bird. I have never herd its notes it appears
to be silent. it feeds on berries, and I believe is a rare bird
even in this country. between the legs of this bird the feathers
are white, and those which form the tuft underneath the tail
are a mixture of white and Brick red.[17]

[Lewis:]

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
[have] 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 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
[tenons] and mo[r]tices 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 [ILLUSTRATION] 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 4 1/2 to 5 feet. I have observed four forms of canoe[s]
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 [ILLUSTRATION] calculated for one or
two persons, and are most common among the
Cathlahmahs and Wâck-ki-a-cums among the marshey Islands.
[ILLUSTRATION] 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.

[ILLUSTRATION] This is the most common form 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 [out] 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 [ILLUSTRATION]
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 grostesque 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 tool
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 b[e]low
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, th[r]ee of glaized
and one of the musqu[e]t 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 [of] 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 can[o]e 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:]

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 [think] 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
the size 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 thongs 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 crossbears serve to
strengthen the canoe, and by which they lift and manage her
on land. When the nativs land the[y] 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 height 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 separate 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 navigating 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
[ILLUSTRATION] 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 1/3 of the
length of the paddle which is usually 4 to 4 1/2 feet in length.
[ILLUSTRATION] I have observed five forms of Canoes only
in use among the nativs below the Grand
Cataract of this river. they are as follows.
[ILLUSTRATION] this is the smallest size about 15 feet long, and
calculated for one [or] two men mearly to cross
creeks, take over short portages to navigate the
ponds and still water, and is mostly in use amongst the Clatsops
and Chinnooks. [ILLUSTRATION] 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-â-cums and Cath-lâh-mâhs among the
marshey Islands, near their villages [ILLUSTRATION]
A the bow; B the stern; those
are from 20 to 40 feet in length
and from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet in the
beam and about 2 feet deep; this canoe is common to all the
nations below the grand Rapids it [is] here made deeper
and shorter in pertotion [proportion] than the canoe realy is,
the bowsprit from C. to D. is brought to a sharp edge
tapering gradually from the sides. [ILLUSTRATION]
This is the most common form
of the canoe 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 bowsprit 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.

[ILLUSTRATION] This form of a canoe we
did not meet with untill
we reached the tide water
or below the Great Rapids.
from thence down it is
common to all the nations
but more particularly the
Kilamox and others of the coast. these are the largest Canoes,
I measured one at the Kilamox village S S W of us which was
[blank space in MS.] feet long & [blank space in MS.] feet
wide and [blank space in MS.] feet deep, and they are most
commonly about that size. B. is the bow, 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, carving &c. is a chissel
formed of an old file about an inch or 1 1/2 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 instrument 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 journey up the river
but have not been able to obtain one as yet from the nativs in
this neighbourhood.

Today 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 stopped, 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 hopes for subsistance and
defence 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:]

Sunday February 2ed. 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 individu[al] 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 ha[n]d which contains the
peice they win the wager otherwise loose. the individual who
holds the peice is a kind of banker and plays for a 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 ha[n]d 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 tran[s]fers 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[ed] 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 the[y] make usefull only in hunting the Elk.

[Clark:]

Sunday February 2nd. 1806.

Not any occurrence 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 the neighbourhood
are Several, one of which is verry similar to one which
the Sosone's & Minnatare's are verry fond of and frequently
play. they divide 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 transfered to the opposite party and the
victor counts one, if he misses the party still retains the
piece and scores one, but the individual transfers 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 [every]
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:]

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 salt-makers
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:]

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[e] 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 untill 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 bushel only. with the means
we have of boiling the salt water we find it a very tegious opperation
that of makeing salt, notwithstanding the kittles are kept
boiling day and night, we calculate on three bushels lasting
us from here to our deposit of that article on the Missouri.

[Lewis:]

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 succule[n]t. in the woody
country their food is huckle berry bushes, fern, and an evergreen
shrub which resembles the lorel 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.[18] There are s[e]veral species
of fir in this neighbourhood which I shall discribe as well as
my slender botanicall skil wil enable me and for the convenience
of comparison with each other shal number them. (N°. 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 shales off in irregula[r]
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 Inh 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 continued to incircle
their rispective twigs for several yea[r]s; at least three yea[r]s
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.[19]

February 4th. 1806.

     

Observed Meridian Altitude of ☉'s U. L. with Sextant by the direct observation	55.°	59.′	15.″
Latitude deduced from this observation N.	46.°	10.′	16.3″
By the mean of several observations found the error of the Sextant to be Subtractive	—.°	5.′	45.″

[Clark:]

Tuesday February 4th 1806

Sergt. 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 Shallon 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
describe as well as my botanicale skill will will enable me, and
for the convenience of comparison with each other shall number
them. (N°.1,) 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 a[s] 36 feet in the girth, or 12 feet Diameter perfectly
solid & entire. they frequently rise to the hight of 230 feet;
and 120 or 130 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 aregular 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 growth of 4 years beyond these scales. this
tree affords but little rozin. 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 fell'd have had no cones
on them.

[Lewis:]

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 N°. 2 is next in dignity in point of size.[20] it
is much the most common species, it may be sa[i]d 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 u[n]der 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:]

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
[whooped]. 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 N°. 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 neighbourhood. 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, diffused stem and not

proliferous as the pine and fir usially are, but like most other
trees it puts fo[r]th buds from the sides of the small boughes
as well as from their extremities. the stem usially terminate
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 width 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:]

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 Fields 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 Marshey Islands who call themselves
Wâch-kí-a-cum. these I have her[e]tofore Considered as
Cath-lâh-mâhs. they speak the same language and are the
same in every other rispect.

N°. 3. A species of fir which one of my men informs me is
precisely the same with that called the balsam fir of Canada.[21]
it grows here to considerable size, being from 2 1/2 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 length and
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 upper 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 count[r]y. the wood is white and soft. (N°. 4) is
a species of fir which in point of size is much that of N°. 2.
the stem simple branching ascending and proliferous; the bark
of a redish dark brown and thicker than that of N°. 3. it is
divided with small longitudinal interstices, but these are not so
much ramifyed as in species N°. 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.[22]

N°. 5. is a species of fir which arrives to the size of N°.'s. 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 flexable but

more stif than any except N°. 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.[23] N°. 6 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.[24]

[Clark:]

Thursday February 6th. 1806

Sent Sergts 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 fl[e]sh 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.

N°. 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 2 1/2 to 4 feet in
diameter 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/l6 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 its branches; the bark which covers these
pustules is soft thin smoth 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.

N°. 4 a species of fir which in point of size is much that of
N°. 2. the stem simple branching assending and proliferous;
the bark of a redish dark brown and thicker than that of
N°. 3. it is divided with small longitudinal interstices, but
these are not so much ramefied as in the species N°. 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. N°. 5. is a species of fir which arives to the size of
N°. 2, and N°. 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 species. the leaves are acerous 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 N°. 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. N°. 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 Ecola Creek near the Kilâmox
nation, at which place I saw the white & red cedar.

[Lewis:]

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 meat 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
tide-water.[25] 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.[26] 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 somewhat
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.[27] The small pox has distroyed a great number of the
natives in this quarter. it prevailed about 4 years since among
the Clatsops and destroy[ed] 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:]

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 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 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
woodland 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 forth 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 terminating more accoutely at the apex, 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. sin[c]e 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 Kilamox in several places.

[Lewis:]

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. 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 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.[28] 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 [flexuous], 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 2 1/2 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 this 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 [flexuous] 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 foot-[stalk] which
when the fruit is ripe withers with the peduncle.

[Clark:]

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 Shallon 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 when most exposed to the Sun
and green elsewhere. the stem is simple branching, reclineing
and partially f[l]uxouse, 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. [ILLUSTRATION] 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 termonating in
an accute point; the upper disk of a glossy green, the under
disk of a pail green, veined, the leaves are also alternate and
two ranked. the root is horozontal, putting fo[r]th 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, thô 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 angu [l]ar points, which meet at
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 10 or 12 issue
from a common peduncle of [or] 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:]

Sunday February 9th. 1806.

This morning Collins and Wiser set out on a hunting excurtion;
the[y] took our Indian canoe and passed the NetuI
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 marshey ground frequently overflown by the tides
there grows a species of fir which I take to be the same
N°. 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 2 1/2 Inches
in length and 3 3/4 in it's greatest circumference, 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 [ILLUSTRATION] point of each scale.
the form of this leaf is somewhat thus. over
laying one of the imbricated scales.[29]

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 wh[i]te 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.[30] fearing that our
meat would spoil we set six men to jurking it.

[Clark:]

Sunday February 9th 1806

This morning Collins and 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

N°. 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 N°. 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 under side incline sidewise
with their points upwards giveing the leaf the shape of a
sythe. the others are perpindicular or pointing upwards, growing
as in N°. 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 whitish
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 N°. 1. is obsd in this species. The cone is 3 1/2 Inches in
length, and 3 in circumfrance, of an ovale figure being thickest
in the middle and tapering and terminateing in two obtuce
points. it composes several flexable, thin, obtusely pointed
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. [ILLUSTRATION] 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 country 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 foliage about the Ist of December.

Fearing that our meat would spoil we set six men to jurking
it today which they are obliged to perform in a house
under shelter from the repeated rains.

[Lewis:]

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
butch[er]ed 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 [ILLUSTRATION] with small accute angular
incissures. or in this form. it is three 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.[31]

[Clark:]

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 it's appearance when divested
of it's 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 petiole 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 country 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 or 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 petiolate, plain, scattered nearly circular,
with its margin cut with accute ang[u]lar incissures of an
inch in length arid from 6 to 8 in number, the accute angular
points formed, by which incissures, are crenate, [ILLUSTRATION] 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 1 1/4 inches long. the froot or flour I have not
as yet found out &c

[Lewis:]

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;
ho[we]ver 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 sometimes
called the quill-wood. 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 no[t] cast it's
foliage untill about the 1st of December.[32] this is also the case
with the black alder. The[re] 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 stem is somewhat rough while that of the boughs is
smooth. the leaves are petiolate the petiole 1/10 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 3/8th. 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 s[e]perately
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:]

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. Wiser to the salt works to carry
on the business with Jos. Field; as bratton is also sick we
directed 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 descends in an arch and becomes 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
river I first discovered this bryor, it grows so abundantly in
the fertile Vally of Columbia and on the Islands in that part
of the river, that the Countrey near the river is almost impenistrable
in maney places. This green Bryor retains its leaf or
foliage and verdue untill late in December. The Briory bush
with a wide leaf is also one of its ascosiates.

[Lewis:]

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 since, however
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 goosqu[i]ll; it is
simple unbranc[h]ed and erect.[33] 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,
glossey, carinated and wrinkled; their points obliquely pointing
towards the extremity of the common footstalk. The stem
of the 2nd. is procumbent abo[u]t 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 2 1/2 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,
w[h]ich is mostly, but not invariably tirminated with a small
subulate thorn.[34] 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 Ist resembles the
plant common to many parts of the U'States called the mountain
holley.

[Clark:]

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.

[ILLUSTRATION] 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 usually
grow in rich dry ground not far from some watercourse. 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 leaf[l]its are jointed & oppositly poinnate
3 par Ind termonateing in one, cessile widest at the base and
tapering to an accuminated point, an inch and 1/4 the greatest
width, & 3 1/4 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, crinated 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. its leaves are cauline, compound and
oppositly pointed; the rib from 14 to 16 inches long celendric
and smooth the leaf[l]its 2 1/2 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 and oppositly pointed, consisting
of 6 par and termonateing in one (in this form.) sessile, ser
rate, or like the [ILLUSTRATION]
teeth of a whipsaw,
each point
terminating 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
frute or flower of either. the Ist resembles a plant common to
maney parts of the United States called the Mountain Holly.

[Lewis:]

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.[35]

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.[36] 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 firn,
rises to the [height] of 3 or four feet the stem is a common
footstalk or rib which proceeds immediatly from the radix
w[h]ich 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 pa[r]t 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 2/3ds. 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 [jagged] 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 [square]
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. [ILLUSTRATION]
the upper surface is Smooth
and of a deep green the under
disk of a pale green and covered
with a brown bubersence [pubescence] of a woolly appearance
particularly near the cent[r]al 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.[37]

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 1/3rd. 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 firn.[38]

The grasses of this neighbourhood are generally coa[r]se
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.
of the two last the natives make great use in preparing their
mats bags &c.

[Clark:]

Tuesday February 13th 1806

The Clatsop left us this morning at 11 A. M. not anything
transpired during 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 [Goats] ) 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 immediately 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 these 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 the
groove a little below its 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 undivided 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 particularly 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 foot-stalk
and longest in the center, gradually length[en]ing 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 throughout
it's whole length. the leafets are oppositly pinnate about
1/3 of the length of the common footstalk from the bottom
and thence alternately pinnate; the footstalk termonating 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 gro[o]ve 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 resemble
much the greens word. the salt marshes also produce
a corse grass, Bullrushes and the Cattail flaggs. of the two last

the nativs make great use in preparing their mats bags &c. in
those bags they carry their fish Berries roots &c.

[Lewis:]

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. Dreyer 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.[39] 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 (Clarks) river and our tract [track] 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 the Flat-head (Clarks)
river at the entrance of Travelers 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 Madison'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 (Clarks) 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 (Clarks) river we
conceive that even admitting the Flathead (Clarks) 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 (falls of Missouri) to the entrance of Dearborn's
river or near that place; from thence to flathead (Clarks) river
(by land to) 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 Westwardly
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:]

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 returned, nor

can we conceive what can be the cause of their delay. Drewyer
visited his traps &c. today 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.[40] 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 ob
servations. 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 ab' 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 Sosonee 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 navigable. added to this, the Indians of different
quarte[r]s 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 deficuelt and dangerous rapids (and the place
Clark's river comes out of the Rocky Mountains is a tremendious
falls &c which there is no possibility 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 its enterance, that the tract by land over the
Rocky Mountains usually 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 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 Jefferson River and at no great distance from the Spanish
settlements, Multnomah[41] 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 [on] which [live] great numbers of Indian
Bands of the Sosone 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 impracticable 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 dificulties in passing the Rocky Mountains
with the rout by way of Travellers rest Creek & Clarks
river.

[Lewis:]

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[t] 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 swam[p]s and marshes about
the salt works. he is nearly free from pain tho' a good deel
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; 2ed.ly 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 [have] 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 occupying the tract of country
lying between the rocky Mountains and a range [Cascade] of
Mountains which pass the Columbia river about the great
falls or from Longitude 116 to 121 West. in this exte[n]sive
tract of principally untimbered country so far as we have
lea[r]nt the following natives reside (viz) the Sosone or snake
Indians, the Chopunnish, Sokulks, Cutssahnims, Chymnapums,
E[c]helutes, 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 [pied] 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 (except those
near the R. Monts) 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 cannot
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 (Multnomah) river or particularly one of them called
Shâ-bo-bó-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 few beads 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 attem[p]t 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:]

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 finding
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 feet
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; 2nd.ly 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, Antilope,
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[e] of Mountains which pass the
Columbia River about the Great Falls or from Longitude 116°
to 121° West in this extensive tract of Principally untmibered
countrey so far as we have lernt the following nations reside
(viz) The Sosone; or Snake Indians inhabiting the south fork
or [blank space in MS.] River, the Chopunnish, Sokulks,
Cutssahnims, Chymnapum, E[c]helutes, Eneshuh & Chilluckkittequaws,
all of whome enjoy the benefit 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 inpided [pied] with large spots of white irregularly
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 aje 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 Shâ-bo-bó-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:]

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 o. 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[42] 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 proceeds
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 watercourses. 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 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 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:]

Sunday February 16th. 1806.

Sent Shannon Labiesh and frazier on a hunting excurtion up
the Kil-haw-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 saltpeter. 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 effecasious 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 curdog 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[d] Labiesh
brought in to us today 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 25lbs.. had it have been so it might very
well have weighed 10lb. more or 35lbs.. 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 7 1/2 inches; Girth of the body exclusive of the wings
2 feet 3 inches; girth of the leg 3 inches. the diameter of
the eye 41/2ths/10 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 1.2. is uncovered with feathers except that portion
of it represented by dots foward and under the eye. the
tail is composed of twelve feathers of equal length, each 14
inches, the legs are 4 3/4 inches in length and of a whitish
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 [c]over 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 un[t]ill 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 speces. 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.[43] 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

Head of a Vulture, by Clark.

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:]

Monday February 17th. 1806.

Collins and Windsor were permitted to hunt today towards
the pranes 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 wou[n]ded 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
sat 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 [fore] 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 & Labuishe brought me one of the
large carrion Crow or Buzza[r]ds of the Columbia which they
had wounded and taken alive. I b[e]leive 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[e] 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. 9 1/2 In. from hip to toe 2 feet.
girth of head 9 3/4 In. girth of the neck 7 1/2 Inches; d°. of body'
exclusive of the wings 2 feet 3 Inches; d°. of leg 3 inches.
diameter of the eye 4 1/2/ths10. 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 1.2. is uncovered with feathers
except that portion of it represented by dots (see likeness).[44] the
tail is composed of 12 feathers of equal length, each 14 inches.
the legs are 4 3/4 inches in length and of a white colour uncovered
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[t]; 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 principal
food, but I have no doubt but they also feed on flesh.
we did not me[e]t 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 characteristics 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 lbs. 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 whe[n] 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:]

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 Sergt. 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.
Continued 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 Quicksand 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:]

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 ascend 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 Cla[t]sops and Chinnooks from whom we purchased a
Sea Otter's skin and two hats made of waytape[45] and white
cedar 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 N°. 7.[46] this tree seldom rises to a greater
hight than 35 feet and is from 2 1/2 to 4 feet in diameter;
the stem is simple branching diffuse and proliferous, the
bark the same with that of N°. 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 N°. 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 N°. 1. is
observed in this species. The cone is 3 1/2 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[d] 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 [ILLUSTRATION] 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 [in] some instances
are as far back as the third year.

[Clark:]

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 he

had directed him to assend with the Canoe. Collins and
Windser returned this evening with one Deer which they had
Killed. the deer are pore and their flesh by no means a[s]
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 and seven Chinnooks from whome
I purchased a sea otter's skin and two hats made of waytape
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 Ocean. 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 irregular 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.[47] 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:]

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 essencially 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.[48] their
ears are reather larger and their winter coat darker than the
common deer; the recepticle of the eye or drane is mor[e]
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 running 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:]

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 Labiesh 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 fish, or seek it as a prey. they are extreemly
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.[49]

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 appeared
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:]

Thursday February 20th. 1806.

Permitted 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. Mc, Neal from his inattention to
his disorder has become worse.

This forenoon we were visited by Tâh-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 statu[r]e than most of his nation;
as he came on a friendly visit we gave himself and party something
to eat and plyed them plentifully with smoke. we gave
this cheif a small medal with which he seemed much gratifyed.
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 ourselves
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 intercou[r]se, 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.[50]

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:]

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. Mc. Neal 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 Tâh-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 eat and plyed them plentyfully 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 notwithstanding
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
ourselves 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 [series] 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
ourselves, 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:]

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 did 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 [is] 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 [are] 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 Rakoon their natural
and most usual food. their colour is a jut [jet] black except
a small spot of white on the breast. the body is long, legs
short and formed something like the tern-spit 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 inhabitant 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 poil [pile]. 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 [a] 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[e] of brush within the p[l]ain 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.

[Lewis:]

Friday February 21st.. 1806.

Visited this morning by three Clatsops, wo 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[d] Rapids of the same. The large and Small
Wolves of [are] the inhabitents principally of the open country
and the woodland 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:]

Saturday February 22ed. 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, Conia or Comowooll, had gone up the Columbia to the
valley in order to purchase wappetoe, a part of which he intended
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 Mc, Neal are all on
the recovery. we have not had as ma[n]y 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 summe[r]
and Autumn the nat[i]ves 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 horseback
and shoot them with their arrows. The sheep[51] 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 w[h]ich
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 a[l]so 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 [from] 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:]

Saturday February 22nd.. 1806.

We were visited today 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 wappatoo, a part of which
he entended tradeing with us on his return. our sick consisting
of Gibson, Bratten, Willard Mc. Neal and Baptiest La Page
is something better Serjt. Ordway is complaining of a coold
& headake. 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 many 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 ot 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
Occupations of the nativs in hunting, fishing, &c. these do not
differ from those of other parts of the Continent.

[Lewis:]

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 wo[r]se 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 remarkab[l]y 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 feet which have five toes each are broad large and webbed.[52]
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[t] 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[n] 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[lar] 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 bey 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:]

Sunday February 23rd. 1806.

Not any thing transpired deser[v]ing 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 ears and Eyes are remarkably
small, particularly the former which is not an inch in
length thick fleshy 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 for 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 Glossy. 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, Eluck'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 prized by the nativs who swinge
the hair off and then roste the flesh on sticks before the fire.

[Lewis:]

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 and 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 [is] as perfect as I can make it with
my pen and will serve to give a general idea of the fish.[53] . 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 behi[n]d the eye is
of a bluis[h] 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 under jaw 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:]

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 many 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 flat. 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 behind 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 country as well the Praries as wood lands, and is
one of the fiew animals which we have seen in every part of
our voyage. 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.[54]

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.
Capt Lewis gave an old Coat and Vest for a sea otter skin,
we purchased several hats 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:]

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 leadcoloured
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 [filbert]
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 woody 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 habitati[o]n 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 behi[n]de each
sholder and exten[d]ing 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:]

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 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 impracti[c]able.
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 a 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 preparation whatever. they
are so fat that they require no aditional 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 standard of excellence among the fishes. I have
herd the fresh anchovey much extoll'd but I hope I shall be
pardoned for believeing this quite as good. the bones are so
soft and fine that they form no obstruction in eating this fish.[55]

[Lewis:]

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 NetuI 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
th[r]ee 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.[56] 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 silkey.
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[d] 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 an 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 variagated
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 it [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:]

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.

Sewelel 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 [sinews] of the Elk or Deer. I have never seen the
animale 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 animale. 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
[line] 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 distinguishing 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 speces 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.[57]

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 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.[58]

[Lewis:]

Thursday February 27th. 1806.

Reubin Fields returned this evening and had not killed anything.
he reports that there are no Elk towards point Adams.
C[o]llins 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 Mc, Neal 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:]

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 continues very unwell the other sick men have nearly recovered.
Goodrich & McNeal who have the Pox are recovering
fast, the former nearly well. LaPage 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 [f]ore 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
2olbs. 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 fistdog only that
the skull is more convex, the mouth is wide and furnished
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
oppressed as if they had been cut off. the appertere 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 burr[y]ing 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:]

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[e] 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.[59] 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 6 1/2 I. length of
ear 5 1/2 I. width of d°. 3 1/8 I. from the hip to the extremity of
toe of the hind foot 1 F. 4 1/4 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 th[r]own back, and which occupy 2/3rds. 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
bluntly 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 for. 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 she[l]ter 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 watercourses. 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 the[y] 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:]

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
today 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
[on] 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.[60]

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 6 1/2 inches. length of ear 5 1/2 inches.
width of ear 3 inches and 1/8. from the hip to the extremity
of toe of the hind foot 1 foot 4 1/4 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 described 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[d] 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 separate, and
never seen to associate in any number or more than two or
three.

[Lewis:]

Saturday March 1st. 1806.

This morning Sergt. Gass and a party set out in quest of the
Elk which had been killed by the hunters the day before yesterday.
they returned with the flesh of three of them late in the
evening. Thompson was left with the hunters in order to jurk
and take care of the flesh of the remaining two. Kuskelar and
wife left us about noon. he had a good looking boy of about
10 years of age with him who he informed us was his slave.
this boy had been taken prisoner by the Killamucks from some
nation on the Coast to the S.East of them at a great distance.

like other Indian nations they adopt their slaves in their families
and treat them very much as their own children. Reubin Fields
and Collins who have been absent since yesterday morning
returned without having killed any game. The birds of the
Western side of the Rocky Mountain to the Pacific Ocean, for
convenience I shall divide into two classes, which I shal designate
from the habits of the birds, Terrestrial and Aquatic.

The Grouse or Prarie hen is peculiarly the inhabitant of the
Grait Plains of Columbia they do not differ from those of the
upper portion of the Missouri, the tail of which is pointed or
the feathers in it's center much longer than those on the sides.
this species differs essentially in the construction of this part of
their plumage from those of the Illinois which have their tails
composed of f[e]athers of equal length.[61] in the winter season
this bird is booted even to the first joint of it's toes. the toes
are also curiously bordered on their lower edges with narrow
hard scales which are placed very close to each other and
extend horizontally about 1/8 of an inch on each side of the toes
thus adding to the width of the tread which nature seems
bountifully to have furnished them at this season for passing
over the snow with more ease. in the summer season those
scales fall off. they have four toes on each foot, their colour
is a mixture of dark brown redish and yellowish brown and
white confusedly mixed in which the redish brown prevails most
on the upper parts of the body wings and tail and the white
underneath the belley and lower parts of the breast and tail.
they asscociate in large flocks in autumn & winter and are
frequently found in flocks of from five to six even in summer.
They feed on grass, insects, the leaves of various shrubs in the
plains and on the seeds of several species of spelts and wild rye
which grow in the richer parts of the plains. in winter their
food is the buds of the willow & Cottonwood also the most of
the native berries furnish them with food. The Indians of this
neighbourhood eat the root of the Cattail or Cooper's flag. it
is pleasantly taisted and appears to be very nutricious.[62] the

inner part of the root which is eaten without any previous
preperation is composed of a number of capillary white flexable
strong fibers among which is a mealy or starch like substance
which readily desolves in the mouth and seperate from the
fibers which are then rejected. it appears to me that this substance
would make excellent starch; nothing can be of a purer
white than it is.

[Clark:]

Saturday March the 1st 1806

This morning we despatched Sergt. Gass with 12 men in two
canoes in quest of the Elk which had been killed by the hunters
the day before yesterday. they returned with the flesh of three
of them late in the evening. Thompson was left with the
hunters in order to jurk and take care of the flesh of the
remaining two. Kuskalar &c. left us about noon. The boy
which this Indian offered to sell to me is about 10 years of age.
this boy had been taken prisoner by the Kilamox from some
Nation on the Coast to the S.East of them at a great distance.
like other Indian nations they adopt their slaves in their
famelies and treat them very much like their own children.
Reuben Field and Collins who had been absent since yesterday
morning returned without killing any thing.

The birds on the western side of the Rocky Mountain's to
the Pacific Ocian for convenience I shall devide into from the
habit of the birds, Terrestrial and Aquatic. i e Fowls of the air,
and fowls of the water.

The Prarie Hen sometimes called the Grouse is peculiarly
the inhabitent of the Great Plains of Columbia. they do not
differ from those of the upper portion of the Missouri, the tails
of which is pointed or the feathers in its center much longer
than those on the Sides. this species differ assentially in the
construction of this part of their plumage from those of the
Illinois which have their tail composed of feathers of equal
length. in the winter season this berd is booted even to the
first joint of it's toes. the toes are also curiously bordered on
their lower edges with narrow hard scales which are placed very
close to each other and extend horizontally about 1/8 of an inch

on each side of the toe, thus adding to the width of the tread
which nature seams bountifully to have furnished them with at
this season for passing over the snow with more ease. in the
summer season those scales fall off. they have four toes on
each foot. their colour is a mixture of dark brown redish and
yellowish brown and white confusedly mixed in which the
redish brown prevails most on the upper parts of the body
wings and tail. and the white underneath the belley and lower
parts of the breast and tail. they associate in large flocks in
autumn & winter and are frequently found in flocks of from
five to six even in summer. They feed on grass, insects, the
leaves of various shrubs in the Praries, and on the seeds of
several species of spelts and wild rye which grow in the richer
parts of the Plains. in the winter their food is the buds of the
willow and Cottonwood also the most of the native berries furnish
them with food. they cohabit in flock & the cocks fight
very much at those seasons.

[Lewis:]

Sunday March 2nd.

The diet of the sick is so inferior that they recover their
strength but slowly. none of them are now sick but all in a
state of convalessence with keen appetites and nothing to eat
except lean Elk meat. late this evening Drewyer arrived with
a most acceptable supply of fat Sturgeon, fresh Anchovies[63] and
a bag containing about a bushel of Wappetoe. we feasted on
Anchovies and Wappetoe.

The Cock of the Plains[64] is found in the plains of Columbia
and are in Great abundance from the entrance of the S.E. fork
of the Columbia to that of Clark's river. this bird is about
2/3rds. the size of a turkey. the beak is large short curved and
convex. the upper exceeding the lower chap. the nostrils
are large and the b[e]ak black. the colour is an uniform
mixture of dark brown reather borde[r]ing on a dove colour,

redish and yellowish brown with some small black specks. in
this mixture the dark brown prevails and has a slight cast of
the dove colour at a little distance. the wider side of the large
feathers of the wings are of a dark brown only. the tail is
composed of 19 feathers of which that in the center is the
longest, and the remaining 9 on each side deminish by pairs
as they receede from the center; that is only one feather is
equal in length to one equadistant from the center of the tail
on the oposite side. the tail when foalded comes to a very
sharp point and appears long in proportion to the body. in
the act of flying the tail resembles that of a wild pigeon. tho'
the motion of the wings is much that of the pheasant and
Grouse. they have four toes on each foot of which the hinder
one is short. the leg is covered with feathers about half the
distance between the knee and foot. when the wing is expanded
there are wide opening[s] between it's feathers the
plumeage being so narrow that it dose not extend from one
quill to the other. the wings are also proportionably short,
reather more so than those of the pheasant or grouse. the
habits of this bird are much the same as those of the grouse.
only that the food of this fowl is almost entirely that of the
leaf and buds of the pulpy leafed thorn; nor do I ever recollect
seeing this bird but in the neighbourhood of that shrub.
they sometimes feed on the prickley pear. the gizzard of it
is large and much less compressed and muscular than in most
fowls; in short it resembles a maw quite as much as a gizzard.
when they fly they make a cackling noise something like the
dunghill fowl. the following is a likeness of the head and
beak.[65] the flesh of the cock of the Plains is dark, and only
tolerable in point of flavor. I do not think it as good as either
the Pheasant or Grouse. it is invariably found in the plains.
The feathers about it's head are pointed and stif. some hairs
about the base of the beak. feathers short fine and stif about
the ears.

[Clark:]

Sunday March 2nd 1806

The diet of the sick is so inferior that they recover their
strength but slowly. none of them are now sick but all in a
state of covelessence with keen appetites and nothing to eate
except lean Elk meat.

The nativs of this neighbourhood eate the root of the cattail
or cooper's flag. it is pleasantly tasted and appears to be very
nutricious. the inner part of the root which is eaten without
any previous preperation is composed of a number of capellary
white flexable strong fibers among which is a mealy or starch
like substance which readily disolves in the mouth and separates
from the fibers which are then rejected. it appears to me
that this substance would make excellent starch, nothing can
be of a pureer white than it is.

This evening late Drewyer, Crusat & Wiser returned with
a most acceptable supply of fat sturgen, fresh anchoves and a
bag containing about a bushel of Wappato. we feasted on the
Anchovies and wappatoe.

The Heath Cock or cock of the Plains is found in the Plains
of Columbia and are in great abundance from the enterance of
Lewis's river to the mountains which pass the Columbia between
the Great falls and Rapids of that river. this fowl is
about 3/4ths. the size of a turkey. the beak is large short curved
and convex, the upper exceeding the lower chap. the nostrils
are large and the baek black. the colour is a uniform mixture
of dark brown reather bordering on a dove colour, redish and
yellowish brown with some small black specks. in this mixture
the dark brown provails and has a slight cast of the dove
colour at a little distance. the wider side of the larger feathers
of the wings are of a dark brown only. the tail is composed
of 19 feathers of which that in the center is the longest, and
the remaining 9 on each side deminish by pairs as they receede
from the center; that is any one feather is equal in length to
one of an equal distance from the center of the tail on the
opposit side, the tail when folded comes to a very sharp point
and appears long in perpotion to the body in the act of flying
the tail resembles that of a wild pigeon, tho' the motion of
the wings is much that of the Pheasant and Grouse. they have

four toes on each foot of which the hinder one is short. the
leg is covered with feathers about half the distance between the
knee and foot. when the wings is expanded there are wide
opening between it's feathers, the plumage being so narrow
that it does not extend from one quill to another. the wings
are also propotionably short, reather more so than those of the
Pheasant or Grouse. the habits of this bird is much the same
as those of the Prarie hen or Grouse. only that the food of
this fowl is almost entirely that of the leaf and buds of the
pulpy leafed thorn, nor do I ever recollect seeing the bird but
in the neighbourhood of that shrub. The gizzard of it is large
and much less compressed and muscular than in most fowls, in
short it resembles a maw quite as much as a gizzard. When
they fly they make a cackling noise something like the dunghill
fowl. the flesh of this fowl is dark and only tolerable in
point of flavour. I do not think it as good as eith[er] the
Pheasant or Prarie hen, or Grouse, the feathers above it's
head are pointed and stiff some hairs about the base of the
beak. feathers short fine and stiff about the ears and eye.
This is a faint likeness of the Cock of the Plains or Heath cock
the first of those fowls which we met with was on the Missouri
below and in the neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountains and
from [there] to the Mountain which passes the Columbia
between the Great falls and Rapids they go in large gangues
or singularly and hide remarkably close when pursued, make
short flights, &c.

The large Black & White Pheasant is peculiar to that portion
of the Rocky Mountains watered by the Columbia River. at
least we did not see them untill we reached the waters of that
river, nor since we have left those mountains. they are about
the size of a well grown hen. the contour of the bird is much
that of the redish brown Pheasant common to our country.
the tail is proportionably as long and is composed of 18 feathers
of equal length, of a uniform dark brown tiped with black.
the feathers of the body are of a dark brown black and white.
the black is that which most prodomonates, and white feathers
are irregularly intermixed with those of the black and dark
brown on every part but in greater perpotion about the neck

Cock of the Plains, by Clark.

breast and belley. this mixture gives it very much the appearance
of that kind of dunghill fowl, which the henwives of our
countrey call dommanicker. in the brest of some of those birds
the white prodominates most. they are not furnished with
tufts of long feathers on the neck as other Pheasants are, but
have a space on each side of the neck about 2 1/2 inches long
and one inch in width on which no feathers grow, tho' it is
consealed by the feathers which are inserted on the hinder and
front part of the neck, this space seams to serve them to
dilate or contract the feathers of the neck with more ease. the
eye is dark, the beak black, uncovered somewhat pointed and
the upper exceeds the under chap. they have a narrow strip
of vermillion colour above each eye which consists of a fleshey
substance not protuberant but uneaven, with a number of
minute rounded dots. it has four toes on each foot of which
three are in front, it is booted to the toes. it feeds on wild
fruits, particularly the berry of the Sac-a-commis,[66] and much also
on the seed of the pine & fir. this fowl is usually found in
small numbers two and three & 4 together on the ground.
when supprised flies up and lights on a tree and is easily shot
their flesh is superior to most of the Pheasant species which we
have met with. they have a gizzard as other Pheasants &c. feed
also on the buds of the small Huckleberry bushes

[Lewis:]

Monday March 3rd. 1806.

Two of our perogues have been lately injured very much in
consequence of the tide leaving them partially on shore. they
split by this means with their own weight. we had them drawn
out on shore. our convalessents are slowly on the recovery.
Lapage is taken sick, gave him a doze of Scots pills which did
not operate. no movement of the party today worthy of

notice. every thing moves on in the old way and we are
counting the days which seperate us from the 1st. of April and
which bind us to fort Clatsop.

The large black and white pheasant is peculiar to that portion
of the Rocky Mountain watered by the Columbia river.
at least we did not see them in these mountains untill we
reached the waters of that river nor since we have left those
mountains. they are about the size of a well grown hen. the
contour of the bird is much that of the redish brown pheasant
common to our country. the tail is proportionably as long and
is composed of eighteen feathers of equal length, of an uniform
dark brown tiped with black. the feathers of the body are of
a dark brown black and white. the black is that which most
predominates, and wh[i]te feathers are irregularly intermixed
with those of the black and dark brown on every part, but in
greater proportion about the neck breast and belley. this mixture
gives it very much the appearance of that kind of dunghill
fowl which the hen-wives of our country call dommanicker
[Dominique]. in the brest of some of these birds the white
predominates most. they are not furnished with tufts of long
feathers on the neck as our pheasants are, but have a space on
each side of the neck about 2 1/2 inches long and 1 In. in width
on which no feathers grow, tho' t[h]is is concealed by the feathers
which are inserted on the hinder and front part of the neck; this
space seems to surve them to dilate or contract the feathers of
the neck with more ease. the eye is dark, the beak black, curved
somewhat pointed and the upper exceeds the under chap. they
have a narrow stripe of vermillion colour above each eye which
consists of a fleshey substance not protuberant but uneven
with a number of minute rounded dots. it has four toes on
each foot of which three are in front. it is booted to the toes.
it feeds on wild fruits, particularly the berry of the sac-a-commis,
and much also on the seed of the pine and fir.

The small speckled pheasant found in the same country with
that above discribed, differs from it only in point of size and
somewhat in colour. it is scarcely half the size of the other;
ascociates in much larger flocks and is very gentle. the black
is more predominant and the dark bro[w]n feathers less frequent

in this than the larger species. the mixture of white is
also more general on every part of this bird. it is considerably
smaller than our pheasant and the body reather more round.
in other particulars the[y] differ not at all from the large black
and white pheasant. this by way of distinction I have called
the speckled phesant. the flesh of both these species of party
coloured phesants is of a dark colour and with the means we
had of cooking them not very well flavored.

The small brown pheasant is an inhabitant of the same
country and is of the size and shape of the spec[k]led pheasant
which it also resembles in it's economy and habits. the stripe
above the eye in this species is scarcely perceptable, and is
when closely examined of a yellow or orrange colour instead
of the vermillion of the outhers. it's colour is an uniform
mixture of dark and yellowish brown with a slight mixture of
brownish white on the breast belley and the feathers underneath
the tail. the whol[e] compound is not unlike that of
the common quail only darker. this is also booted to the
toes. the flesh of this is preferable to either of the others and
that of the breast is as white as the pheasant of the Atlantic
coast. the redish brown pheasant has been previously discribed.[67]
The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as
those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller
yet it's note is the same. I observe no difference either between
the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic. I have
observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk,
and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and
blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very
firce. sometimes called in the U'States the hen hawk. these
birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and
the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers
along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and
it's S.E. branch where we passed along them. we also met

with the large hooting Owl under the Rocky Mountain on
the Kooskoskee river. it did not appear to differ materially
from those of our country. I think it's colours reather deeper
and brighter than with us, particularly the redish brown. it is
the same size and form.

[Clark:]

Monday March 3rd. 1806

Two of our canoes have been lately injured very much in
consequence of the tide leaveing them partially on shore.
they split by this means with their own weight. we had them
drawn out on shore. our convalessents are slowly on the
recovery. Lapage is taken sick. gave him some of Scotts
Pills which did not opperate. no movement of the party to
day worthey of notice. every thing moves on in the old way
and we are counting the days which seperate us from the 1st.
of April, & which bind us to Fort Clatsop.

The Small Speckled Pheasant found in the Rocky Mountains,
and differ from the large black and white pheasant only
in point of size, and somewhat in colour. it is scercely half
the size of the other; assosiates in much larger flocks and is
also very gentle. the black is more predominate and the dark
brown feathers less frequent in this than the larger species.
the mixture of white is also more general on every part of this
bird. it is considerably smaller than our Pheasant and the
body reather more round. in other particulars they differ not
at all, from the large black and white Pheasant. this by way
of distinction I have called the Speckled Pheasant. the flesh
of both these species of party coloured Pheasant is of a dark
colour, and with the means we had of cooking them were
only tolerably flavoured tho' these birds would be fine well
cooked.

The small Brown Pheasant is an inhabitant of the same
country and is of the size and shape of the Speckled Pheasant,
which it also resembles in it's economy and habits, the stripe
above the eye in this species is scercely preceptable and is
when closely examined of a yellow or orrange colour insted of
the vermillion of the others. it's colour is of a uniform mixture

of dark and yellowish brown with a slight mixture of
brownish white on the brest belley and the feathers under the
tail. the whole compound is not unlike that of the common
quaile only darker. this is also booted to the toes. the flesh
is tolerable and that of the breast is as white as the Pheasant
of the atlantic coast. the redish brown Pheasant has been
previously described.

The Crow Ravin and large Blackbird are the same as those
of our country, only that the crow here is much smaller, yet
its note is the same. I observe no difference between the
Hawk of this coast and those of the Atlantic. I have observed
the large brown Hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and a hawk
of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured
wings, remarkably swift in flight and very ferce. Sometimes
called in the Un. States the hen Hawk. those birds seam to
be common to every part of this country in greater or smaller
numbers, and the Hawks, Crows, and ravins build their nests
in great numbers along the high & inaxcessable clifts of the
Columbia, and Lewis's rivers when we passd. along them. we
also met with the large hooting Owl under the Rocky mountains
on the Kooskooske R. it's colour reather deeper than
with us, but differ in no other respect from those of the
U States.

[Lewis:]

Tuesday March 4th. 1806.

Not any occurrence today worthy of notice. we live sumptuously
on our wappetoe and Sturgeon. the Anchovey is so
delicate that they soon become tainted unless pickled or smoked.
the natives run a small stick through their gills and hang them
in the smoke of their lodges, or kindle a small fire under them
for the purpose of drying them. they need no previous preperation
of guting &c and will cure in 24 hours. the natives
do not appear to be very scrupelous about eating them when
a little feated [fetid]. the fresh sturgeon they keep for many
days by immersing it in water. they coock their sturgeon by
means of vapor or steam. the process is as follows. a brisk
fire is kindled on which a parcel of stones are la[i]d. when

the fire birns down and the stones are sufficiently heated, the
stones are so arranged as to form a tolerable level surface, the
sturgeon which had been previously cut into large fletches is
now laid on the hot stones; a parsel of small boughs of bushes
is next laid on and a second course of the sturgeon thus reP[e]ating
alternate layers of sturgeon and boughs untill the
whole is put on which they design to cook. it is next covered
closely with matts and water is poared in such manner as to
run in among the hot stones and the vapor arrising being confined
by the mats, cooks the fish. the whole process is performed
in an hour, and the sturgeon thus cooked is much
better than either boiled or roasted.

The turtle dove and robbin are the same of our country and
are found as well in the plain as open country. the Columbian
robbin heretofore discribed seems to be the inhabitant of the
woody country exclusively. the Magpie is most commonly
found in the open country and are the same with those formerly
discribed on the Missouri.[68] The large woodpecker or log
cock,[69] the lark woodpecker and the small white woodpecker with
a read head are the same with those of the Atlantic states and
are found exclusively in the timbered country. The blue
crested Corvus[70] and the small white breasted d°. have been
previously discribed and are the natives of a piney country invariably,
being found as well on the rocky mountains as on this
coast. the lark is found in the plains only and are the same
with those before mentioned on the Missouri, and not very
unlike what is called in Virginia the old field lark.[71] The large
blueish brown or sandhill Crain are found in the valley of the

Rocky mountains in Summer and Autumn where they raise
their young, and in the winter and begining of spring on this
river below tide water and on this coast. they are the
same as those common to the Southern and Western States
where they are most generally known by the name of the
Sandhill crain. The vulture has also been discribed. there
are two species of the flycatch, a small redish brown species
with a short tail, round body, short neck and short pointed
beak. they have some fine black specks intermixed with the
uniform redish brown. this the same with that which remains
all winter in Virginia where it is sometimes called the wren.
the second species has lately returned and dose not remain
here all winter. it's colours are a yellowish brown on the
back head neck wings and tail the breast and belley of a yellowish
white; the tail is in proportion as the wren but it is a size
smaller than that bird. it's beak is streight pointed convex
reather la[r]ge at the base and the chaps of equal length. the
first species is the smallest, in short it is the smalest bird that
I have ever seen in America except the humming bird. both
these species are found in the woody country only, or at least
I have never seen them elsewhere.

[Clark:]

Tuesday March 4th 1806

Not any accurrance to day worthy of notice. we live
sumptuously on our Wappatoe and sturgeon. the Anchovey
is so delicate that they soon become tainted unless pickled or
smoked. the nativs run a small stick through their gills and
hang them in the smoke of their Lodges, or Kindle small fires
under them for the purpose of drying them. they need no
previous preperation of gutting &c. and will cure in 24 hours.
the nativs do not appear to be very scrupelous about eating
them a little feated [fetid]. the fresh sturgeon they Keep
maney days by immersing it in water. they cook their sturgeon
by means of vapor or steam, the Process is as follows.
a brisk fire is kindled on which a parcel of stones are sufficiently
heated, the stones are so arranged as to form a tolerable
leavel surface, the sturgeon which had been previously

cut into large flaetches is now laid on the hot stones; a parcel
of small boughs of bushes is next laid on, and a second course
of the sturgeon thus repeating alternate layers of sturgeon &
boughs untill the whole is put on which they design to cook,
it is next covered closely with mats and water is poared in
such manner as to run in among the hot stones and the
vapor arrising being confind. by the mats, cooks the fish. the
whole process is performd. in an hour and the sturgeon thus
cooked is much better than either boiled or roasted. in their
usual way of boiling of other fish in baskets with hot stones is
not so good.

The turtle dove and robin are the same of those of our
countrey and are found as well on the plains as open countrey.
the Columbia robin heretofore discribed seams to be the inhabitent
of the woody country exclusively. the Magpye is
most commonly found in the open country and are the same
with those formerly discribed on the Missouri.

The large woodpecker or log cock the lark woodpecker and
the common woodpecker with a red head are the same with
those of the Atlantic States, and are found exclusively in the
timbered country. The Blue crested Corvus and the small
white brested corvus are the nativs of a piney country invariably,
being found as well on the Rocky Mountains as on this
coast. The lark is found in the plains only and are the same
with those on the Missouri and the Illinois and not unlike
what is called in Virginia the old field Lark.

The large bluish brown or Sandhill Crain are found in the
Vally's of the Rocky Mountain in summer and autumn when
they raise their young and in the winter and beginning of
spring on this river below tide water and on this coast. they
are the same as those common to the Southern and Western
States where they are most generally known by the name of
the Sand hill Crain. The Vulture has already been discribed.

There are two species of fly catch, a small redish brown
with a short tail, round body, short neck, and short pointed
beak, and the same as that with us sometimes called the wren.
the 2d species does not remain all winter they have just returned
and are of a yellowish brown colour.

[Lewis:]

Wednesday March 5th 1806.

This morning we were visited by two parties of Clatsops.
they brought some fish a hat and some skins for sale most of
which we purchased. they returned to their village in the
evening. late in the evening the hunters returned from the
kil-haw-â-nack-kle River which discharges itself into the head
of the bay. They had neither killed nor seen any Elk. they
informed us that the Elk had all gone off to the mountains a
considerable distance from us. this is unwelcome information
and reather allarming we have only 2 days provision on hand,
and that nearly spoiled. we made up a small assortment of
articles to trade with the Indians and directed Sergt. Pryor to
set out early in the morning in a canoe with 2 men, to ascend
the Columbia to the resort of the Indian fishermen and purchase
some fish; we also directed two parties of hunters to
renew the Chase tomorrow early. the one up the Netul and
the other towards Point Adams. if we find that the Elk have
left us, we have determined to ascend the river slowly and indeavour
to procure subsistence on the way, consuming the
Month of March in the woody country. earlyer than April
we conceive it a folly to attempt the open plains where we
know there is no fuel except a few small dry shrubs. we shall
not leave our quarters at fort Clatsop untill the first of April,
as we intended unless the want of subsistence compels us to
that measure The common snipe of the marshes and the
smal sand snipe are the same of those common to the Atlantic
Coast tho' the former are by no means as abundant here. the
prearrow [sparrow] of the woody country is also similar to ours
but not abundant. those of the plains of Columbia are the
same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means
so abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the
large brown Curloo so common to the plains of the Missouri,
but beleive that the latter is an inhabitant of this country during
summer from Indian information. I have no doubt but
what many species of birds found here in Autumn and Summer
had departed before our arrival.

[Clark:]

Wednesday March 5th.. 1806

This morning we were visited by two parties of Clatsops
they brought some fish, a hat and some skins for sale most of
which we purchased, they returned to their village in the
evening with the returning tide. late in the evening the hunters
returned from the Kil-haw-â-nack kle River which discharges
itself into the Head of the Bay. they had neither killed nor
seen any Elk. they informed us that the Elk had all gorn off
to the Mountains a considerable distance from us. this is unwelcom
information and reather alarming. we have only two
days provisions on hand and that nearly spoiled. we made up
a small assortment of articles to trade with the Indians, and
directed Sergt Natl. Pryor to set out early in the morning in a
canoe with two men, to assend the Columbia to the resort of
the Indians fishermen and purchase some fish; we also derected
two parties of hunters to renew the chase tomorrow early. the
one up the Netul and the other towards point Adams. If we
find that the Elk have left us, we have determined to assend
the river slowly and endeaver to precure subsistance on the
way, consumeing the month of March in the woody country,
earlyer than april we conceive it a folly to attempt the open
plains where we know there is no fuel except a fiew small dry
shrubs. we shall not leave our quarters at Fort Clatsop untill
the 1st. of april as we intended, unless the want of subsistance
compels us to that Measure.

The common Snipe of the Marshes and the small sand snipe
are the same of those common to the Atlantic coast tho the
former are by no means as abundant here.

The sparrow of the woody country is also similar to ours
but not abundant. those of the plains of Columbia are the
same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so
abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the large
brown Curloe so common to the Plains of the Missouri, but
believe the Curloe is an inhabitent of this countrey dureing
summer from Indian information and their attempts to mimick
the notes of this fowl. I have no doubt but what many
species of birds found here in autumn and summer had departed
before our arrival.

The Aquatic Birds of this country or such as obtain their
subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron,
fishing Hawk, blue crested fisher, Gulls of several species of
the coast, the large grey Gull of the Columbia, Comorant,
loons of two species, white and the brown brant, small and large
Geese, small and large swans, the Duckinmallard, canvis back
Duck, red headed fishing Duck, black and white duck, little
brown Duck, Black Duck, two species of Divers, blue winged
teal, and some other species of Ducks, two species of Plevers.

The hunters who were out last informed me that they discovered
a very considerable fall in the Kil-haw-â-nack-kle River
on its main western fork at which place it falls abt 100 feet
from the side of a mountain S. E. about 6 miles from Fort
Clatsop and nearly 15 from its enterance into the bay by the
Meanderings of this river.[72]

a high Mountain is situated S 60° W. about 18 miles from
Fort Clatsop on which there has been snow since Nov.[73]

[Lewis:]

Thursday March 6th. 1806.

This morning the fishing and hunting parties set out agreeably
to their instructions given them last evening. at 11. A.M.
we were visited by Comowoll and two of his children.[74] he presented
us with some Anchovies which had been well cured in
their manner, we fou[n]d them excellent, they were very
acceptable particularly at this moment, we gave the old man
some small articles in return. this we have found much the
most friendly and decent savage that we have met with in this
neighbourhood. Hall had his foot and ankle much injured
yesterday by the fall of a large stick of timber; the bones were
fortunately not broken and I expect he will be able to walk
again shortly. Bratton is now weaker than any of the convalessants,
all of whom recover slowly in consequence of the
want of proper diet, which we have it not in our power to
procure.[75]

The Aquatic birds of this country or such as obtain their
subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron,
fishing hawk, blue crested fisher, gulls of several species of the
Coast, the large grey gull of the Columbia, Cormorant, loons
of two species, white, and the brown brant, small and large
geese, small and large Swan, the Duckinmallard, canvis back

duck, red headed fishing duck, black and white duck, little
brown duck, black duck, two speceis of divers, blue winged
teal, and some other speceis of ducks.

[Clark:]

Thursday March 6th. 1806.

This morning the fishing and hunting party's set out agreeably
to their instructions given them last evening. At 11 A. M.
we were visited by Commowoll and two boys sons of his. he
presented us with some Anchovies which had been well cured
in their manner, we found them excellent. they were very acceptable
perticularly at this moment. we gave the old mans
sones a twisted wire to ware about his neck, and I gave him a
par of old glovs which he was much pleased with. this we
have found much the most friendly and decent Indian that we
have met with in this neighbourhood.

Hall had his foot and ankle much injured yesterday by the
fall of a log which he had on his sholder; the bones are fortunately
not broken, I expect he will be able to walk again
shortly. Bratten is now weaker than any of the convalessants,
and complains verry much of his back, all of them recovering
slowly in consequence of the want of proper diet, which we
have it not in our power to precure.

The large Blue and brown Herons or crains as they are
usialy called in the U.States are found below tide water. they
are the same of those of the U. States. The Fishing Hawk
with the crown of the head white, and back of a milkey white,
and the blue crested or king fisher are found on every part of
the Columbia and its water along which we passed and are the
same with those of the U. States.[76] the fishing hawk is not
abundant, particularly in the mountains. There are 4 species
of the larus or gull on this coast and river. 1st a small species
the size of a Pegion; white except some black spots about the
head and the little bone on the but of the wing. 2d. a species
somewhat larger of a light brown colour, with a mealy coloured

back. 3rd. the large Grey Gull, or white larus with a greyish
brown back, and light grey belly and breast, about the size of
a well grown pullet, the wings are remarkably long in perpotion
to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the
extremity is [more] gibbous and protuberant than in either of
the other species, a White Gull about the size of the second
with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and on the base
of the upper chap there is an elivated orning of the same substance
with the beak which forms the nostriels at A; it is
somewhat in this form the feet are webed and the legs and feet
of a yellow colour. the form of the wings body &c are much
that of the 2d species this bird was seen on Haleys bay.[77]

The large Grey Gull is found on the Columbian waters as
high as the enterence of the Kooskooske and in common with
the other species on the coast; the others appear confined to
the tidewater, and the 4th. species not so common as either
of the others. The Comorant is a large black duck which feeds
on fish; I proceive no difference between it & these found in
the rivers of the Atlantic Coasts. we met with [it] as high up
the river as the enterance of the Chopunnish into the Kooskooske
river. they increased in numbers as we decended, and
formed much the Greatest portion of waterfowls which we saw
on the Columbia untill we reached tidewater, where they also
abound but do not bear a similar proportion to the fowls
found in this quarter. we found this bird fat and tolerably
flavoured as we decended the Columbia.[78]

[Lewis:]

Friday March 7th. 1806.

The wind was so high that Comowol did not leave us untill
late this evening. Labuishe and Drewyer returned at sunset
having killed one Elk only. they report that there are some
scattering male Elk in the neighbourhood of the place they
killed this one or about 5 miles up the Netul on this side.

Head of a Gull, by Clark.

Bratton is much wo[r]se today, he complains of a violent pain
in the small of his back and is unable in consequence to set
up. we gave him one of our flanel shirts, applyed a bandage
of flannel to the part and bathed and rubed it well with some
vollatile linniment which I prepared with sperits of wine, camphor,
castile soap and a little laudinum. he felt himself better
in the evening. the large blue and brown herons, or crains
as they are usually called in the U' States are found on this
river below tidewater. they are the same with those of the
U' States. the fishing hawk with the crown of the head White
and back of a mealy white, and the blue crested or King fisher
are found on every part of the Columbia and it's waters and
are the same with those of the U' States. the fishing hawk
is not abundant particularly in the mountains. there are four
speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river 1st. a small
speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black
spots about the head and a little brown on the but of the
wings, 2nd. a speceis somewhat larger of a light brown colour
with a whitish or mealy coloured back. 3rd. the large grey
gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back and a light grey
belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet or
reather larger. the wings are remarkably long in proportion
to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity
is more gibbous and protuberant than in either of the
other species. 4th. a white gull about the size of the second
with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at the base
of the up[p]er Chop there is an elivated orning of the same
substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is somewhat
in this form.[79] the feet are webbed and the legs and feet
of a yellow colour. the form of the wings body &c are much
that of the second species. the large grey gull is found on the
river as high as the entrance of the Kooskooske and in common
with the other speceis on the coast; the others appear to
be confined to tidewater, and the fourth speceis not so common
as either of the others. The cormorant is a large black
duck which feeds on fish; I perceive no difference between it
and those found in the Potomac and other rivers on the Atlantic
Coast. tho' I do not recollect seeing those on the atlantic
so high up the rivers as those are found here. we first met
with them on the Kooskooske at the entrance of Chopunnish
river. they increased in quantity as we decended, and formed
much the greatest portion of the waterfowl which we saw on
the Columbia untill we reached tidewater where they also
abound but do not bear a similar proportion to the other fowls
found in this quarter.

There are two speceis of loons. 1st. the Speckled loon found
on every part of the rivers of this country, they are the same
size colours and form with those of the Atlantic coast. the
second speceis we first met with at the great falls of the Columbia
and from thence down. this bird is not more than half
the size of the speckled loon, it's neck is long, slender and
white in front. the Colour of the body and back of the neck
and head are of a dun or ash colour, the breast and belley are
white. the beak is like that of the speckled loon and like them
it cannot fly but flutters along on the top of the warter or dives
for security when pursued.[80]

[Clark:]

Friday March 7th. 1806

The wind was so high that Comowol did not leave us untill
late this evening. Drewyer and Labiesh returned at sunset
haveing killed one Elk only. they report that there are some
scattering mail Elk in the neighbourhood of the place they
killed this one or about 5 miles up the Netul river on the west
side. Bratten is much worse to day he complains of a violent
pain in the small of his back, and is unable in consequence of
it to set up. we gave him one of our flannel shirts. I applied
a bandage of flanel to the part and rubed it well with some
volatile linniment which was prepared with sperits of wine,
camphire, castile soap, and a little laudinum. he felt himself

better in the evening at which time I repeated the linniment
and bathed his beet [feet], to restore circulation which he complained
of in that part.

There are two species of Loons. 1st. the speckled loon found
on every part of the rivers of this quarter, they are the same
size colour and form with those of the Ohio, and atlantic
coasts, the 2d. species we first met with at the great falls of
the Columbia and from thence down. This bird is not more
than half the size of the speckled loon, it's neck is long,
slender and white in front. the colour of the body and back
of the neck and head are of a dun or ash colour, the breast
and belly are white. the back is like that of the speckled loon,
and like them it cannot fly, but flutters along on the top of the
water or Dives for security when pursued,

John Shields Reuben Fields & Robert frasure measured 2
trees of the fur kind one 37 feet around, appears sound, has
but fiew limbs for 200 feet it is East of the Netul abt. 280
feet high.

[Lewis:]

Saturday March 8th. 1806.

Bratton is much better today, his back gives him but little
pain, Collins returned early in the morning and informed us
that he had killed three Elk about five miles distant on the
edge of the prarie in Point Adams. one of them fell in a
deep pond of water and [he] could not get it, the other two
he butcherd and secured. he saw two large herds of Elk in
that quarter. we sent Drewyer and Joseph Fields to hunt
those Elk. a party were also sent with Labuish for the flesh
of the Elk which Drewyer and himself had killed up the
netul, they returned with it in the evening. Shields, R. Fields
and Frazier returned this evening from the Kilhawanackkle
unsuccessfull having seen no Elk. Mc, Neal and Goodrich
having recovered from the Louis veneri I directed them to
desist from the uce of mercury. The white brant is very
common in this country particularly below tidewater where
they remain in vast quantities during the winter. they feed
like the swan gees &c on the grass roots and seeds which they

find in the marshes. this bird is about the size of the brown
brant or a third less than the common Canadian or wild goose.
the head is proportionably with the goose reather large; the
beak also thicker shorter and of much the same form, being of
a yellowish white colour except the edges of the chaps, which
are frequently of a dark brown. the legs and feet are of the
same form of the goose and are of a redish white or pale flesh
colour. the tail is composed of sixteen feathers of equal length
as those of the geese and brown brant are and bears about the
same proportion in point of length. the eye is of a dark
colour and nothing remarkable as to size. the wings are rether
longer compared with those of the goose but not as much so
as in the brown or pided brant. the colour of the plumage of
this bird is uniformly a pure white except the large feathers of
the extremities of the wings which are black. the large feathers
of the 1st. joint of the wing next to the body are white. the
note of this bird differs essentially from that of the goose; it
more resembles that of the brown brant but is somewhat different.
it is like the note of [a] young domestic goose which
has not perfectly attained it's full note. the flesh of this bird
is exceedingly fine, preferable to either the goose or pided
brant.[81] The Brown or pided brant are much the same size
and form of the white only that their wings are considerably
longer and more pointed. the plumage of the upper part of
the body neck head and tail is much the colour of the Canadian
goose but reather darker in consequence of som dark brown
feathers which are distributed and irregularly scattered throughout.
they have not the white on the neck and sides of the
head as the goose has nor is the neck darker than the body.
like the goose there are some white feathers on the rump at
the joining of the tail. the beak is dark and the legs and
feet also dark with a greenish cast; the breast and belley are
of a lighter colour than the back and is also irregularly intermixed
with dark brown and black feathers which give it a pided
appearance, the flesh of this bird is dark and in my estimation
reather better than that of the goose, the habits of this bird
are the same nearly with the goose and white brant with this
difference that they do not remain in this climate in such
numbers during the winter as the others, and that it sets out
earlier in the fall season on it's return to the south and arrives
later in the spring than the goose. I see no difference between
this bird and that called simply the brant, common to
the lakes the Ohio and Mississippi &c. The small goose of
this country is reather less than the brant; it's head and neck
like the brant are reather larger than that of the goose in
proportion; their beak is also thicker and shorter. their
notes are more like those of our tame gees; in all other
rispects they are the same with the large goose with which,
they so frequently ascociate that it was some time after I first
observed this goose before I could determine whether it was a
distinct speceis or not. I have now no hesitation in declaring
them a distinct speceis. the large goose is the same of that
common on the Atlantic coast, and known by the appellation
of the wild, or Canadian goose.

[Clark:]

Saturday March 8th. 1806

Bratten is much better this morning, his back givs him but
little pain. Collins returned early in the morning, and informed
us that he had killed three Elk about five miles distance
on the edge of the prarie in point Adams. one of them
fell in a deep pond of water and he could not git to it. the
other two he butchered and saved. he saw two large herds of
Elk in that quarter. We sent Drewyer & Jos: Field to hunt
these Elk, a party was also sent with Labiesh for the flesh of
the Elk which Drewyer and himself had killed up the Netul,
they returned with it in the evening. Shields, R. Field and
Frasure returned this evening from the Kilhawanackkle unsuccessfull
haveing seen no Elk. Mc Neal and Goodrich
haveing recovered from the Louis veneri I directed them to
desist from takeing the Mercury or useing in future. Willard
is yet complaining and is low sperited.

The White Brant is very common in this country particularly
below tide water where they remain in vast quantities
dureing the winter. they feed like the Swan Goose &c. on the
grass and roots & seeds which they find in the marshes this
bird is a little larger than the brown brant and a fourth less
than the common wild or Canadian goose. the head is proportionably
with the goose reather large; the beak thicker
shorter and of the same form, being of a yellowish white colour
except the edges of the chaps, which are frequently of a dark
brown. the legs and feet are of the same form of the goose,
and are of a redish white or pail flesh colour. the tail is composed
of sixteen feathers of equal length as those of the geese
and brown brant are, and bears about the same perpotion in
point of length. the Eye is of a dark colour and nothing
remarkable as to size, the wings are reather longer compared
with those of the goose, but not as much so as is the brown
or pieded brant. the colour of the plumage of this bird is
uniformly a pure white except the large feathers of the extremities
of the wings which are black. The large feathers of
the 1st. joint of the wing next to the body are white. the
note of this bird differs essentially from that of the goose;
it more resembles that of the brown brant but is somewhat
different. it is like the note of a young domestic goose
which has not perfectly attained its full note. the flesh of
this bird is exceedingly fine, prefferable to either the goose
or pieded brant. the neck is shorter in pr[o]potion than that
of the goose.

The Brown or pieded brant are nearly the size and much the
same form of the white brante only that their wings are considerably
longer and more pointed. the plumage of the upper
part of the body, neck, head and tail is much the colour of the
Common or Canadian Goose but rather darker in consequence
of some dark brown feathers which are distributed and irregularly
scattered throughout. they have not the white on the
neck and sides of the head as the goose has nor is the neck
darker than the body. like the goose there are some white
feathers on the rump at the junction of the tail. the beak,
legs and feet are dark, with a greenish cast; the breast and

belly are of a lighter colour than the back and is also intermixed,
irregularly, with dark brown and black feathers which
gives it a pieded appearance. the flesh of this bird is dark,
and in my estimation reather better than that of the goose.
the habits of this bird is nearly the same with the goose and
white brant, with this difference that they do not remain in
this climate in such numbers dureing the winter as the others.
I see no difference between this bird and that called Loonpilly
the Brant common to the Lakes and frequently seen on the
Ohio and Mississippi in large flocks. &c.

The Small Goose of this country is reather less than the
Brant; it's head and neck like the brant are reather larger
than that of the goose in purpotion; their beak is also thicker
and shorter. their notes are more like those of our taim geese,
in all other respect they are the same with the large goose with
which, they so frequently ascoiate, that it was some time after I
first observed this goose before I could [tell] whether it was a
distinct speces or not. I have no hesitation now in declaring
them a distinct species. the large Goose is the same as that
common to the Ohio, and atlantic coast, and known by the
appellation of the wild, or Canadian Goose.

[Lewis:]

Sunday March 9th. 1806.

This morning the men set out at daylight to go in qu[e]st
of the Elk which Collins had killed, they returned with it at
eleven A.M. Bratton complains of his back being very painfull
to him today; I conceive this pain to be something of the
rheumatism. we still apply the linniment and flannel; in the
evening he was much better. Drewyer and Joseph Fields returned
not having found any Elk. Sergt. Pryor and the fishing
party not yet arrived, suppose they are detained by the
winds. visited by 3 Clatsop men who brought a dog some
fish and a Sea Otter skin for sale. we suffered them to remain
all night. we set Shields at work to make some sacks of Elk
skin to contain various articles. The Large Swan is precisely
the same common to the Atlantic States. the small swan

differs only, from the larger one in size and it's note.[82] it is
about one fourth less and it's note entirely different. the
latter cannot be justly immetated by the sound of letters nor
do I know any sounds with which a comparison would be
pertinent. it begins with a kind of whistleing sound and terminates
in a round full note which is reather louder than the whistleing,
or former part; this note is as loud as that of the large swan.
from the peculiar whistleing of the note of this bird I have
called it the whistleing swan. it's habits colour and contour
appear to be precisely those of the large Swan. we first saw
them below the great narrows of the Columbia near the Chilluckkittequaw
nation. They are very abundant in this neighbourhood
and have remained with us all winter. in number they
are fully five for one of the large speceis. The duckinmallard
or common large duck w[h]ich resembles the domestic duck
are the same here with those of the U'Sts. they are abundant
and are found on every part of the river below the mountains.
they remain here all winter but I beleive they do not continue
during winter far above tidewater. a beautifull duck and one
of the most delicious in the world is found in considerable
quantities in this neighbourhood during the Autumn and
winter. this is the same with that known in the Delliware,
Susquehannah, and Potomac by the name of the Canvisback
and in James River by that of shell-Drake; in the latter river
however I am informed that they have latterly almost entirely
disappeared. to the epicure of those parts of the union where
this duck abounds nothing need be added in praise of the
exqu[i]site flavor of this duck. I have frequently eaten of
them in several parts of the Union and I think those of the
Columbia equally as delicious. this duck is never found above
tide-water; we did not meet with them untill after we reached
the marshey Islands; and I beleive that they have already left
this neighbourhood, but whether they have gone northwardly
or Southwardly I am unable to determin; nor do I know in
what part of the Continent they raise their young. The read
headed fishing duck is common to every part of the river and
are found as well in the Rocky Mountains as elsewhere; in
short this was the only duck we saw on the waters of the
Columbia within the mountains. they feed principally on
crawfish; and are the same in every rispect as those on the
rivers in the Mountains of the Atlantic Ocean.[83]

[Clark:]

Sunday March 9th. 1806

This morning the men set out at day light to go in quest
of the Elk which Collins had killed, they returned at 11.
A. M. Bratten complains of his backs being very painfull to
him to day. we still apply the linnement & flannel; in the
evening he was much better. Jos. Field & Drewyer returned
not haveing found any Elk. Sergt. Pryor and the fishing party
not yet returned, suppose they are detained by the winds.
We are visited by 3 Clatsop men who brought a Dog, some
fish and a sea otter skin for sale. we suffered them to remain
all night. we set Shields at work to make some sacks of Elk
skin to contain my papers, and various articles which we wish
kept Dry.

The large Swan is precisely the same common to the Missouri,
Mississippi and the Atlantic States &c. The small swan
differ only from the large one in size and it's note. it is about
1/4th. less, and its notes entirely different. the latter cannot be
justly immetated by the sound of letters nor do I know any
sound with which a comparison would be pertinent. it begins
with a kind of whistling sound and terminates in a round full
note which is reather louder than the whistling, or former part;
this note is as loud as that of the large swan. from the peculiar
whistling of the note of this bird I have called it the
Whistling Swan, it's habits colour and contour appear to be
precisely those of the large swan. we first saw them below
the great narrows of the Columbia near the Chilluckkittequaw
Nation. they are very abundant in this neighbourhood and

have remained with us all winter. in number they are fully
five for one of the large species of the swan's.

The Duckinmallard are the same here with those of the U.
States. they are abundant and are found on every part of the
river below the mountains. they remain here all winter, but
I believe they do not remain all winter above tide water. a
butifull Duck and one of the most delicious in the world is
found in considerable quantities in this neighbourhood dureing
the autumn and winter. this is the same as that known in
the Dilliwar, Susquehannah and Potomoc by the name of the
Canvisback and James River by that of Shell-Drake; in the
latter river I am informed that they have latterly almost entirely
disapeared. [For] the epicures of those parts of the
Union where those Ducks abound nothing need be added in
prais of the exquisit flavor of this duck. I have eaten of them
in several parts of the union and I think those of the Columbia
equally as delicious. this duck is never found above tide
water; we did not meat with them untill after we reached the
Marshey Islands; and I believe that they have already left
this neighbourhood; but whether they are gorn Northerly or
Southerly, I am unable to deturmine; nor do I know in what
part of the country they rais their young.

The red headed fishing duck is common to every part of
the river and are found as well in the Rocky Mountains as
elsewhere; in short this was the only duck we saw within the
Mountain on the Columbian waters. they feed principally on
crawfish; and are the same in every respects as those on the
Ohio and rivers in the mountains of the atlantic Ocian.

The black and white Duck are small about the size of the
blue-winged teal, or reather larger.[84] the mail is butifully varigated
with black and white. the white occupies the side of
the head, breast and back. black the tail, large feathers of the
wing, two tufts of feathers which cover the upper part of the
wings when folded, the neck and head. the female is darker
or has much less white about her. I take this to be the same
species of duck common to the Ohio, as also the atlantic coast,
and sometimes called the butterbox. the back is wide and

short, and as well as the legs of a dark colour. the flesh
of this duck is verry well flavored I think superior to the
Duckinmallard.

[Lewis:]

Monday March 10th. 1806.

About 1. P.M. it became fair and we sent out two parties
of hunters on this side of the Netul the one below and the
other above. we also directed a party to set out early in the
morning and pass the bay and hunt beyond the Kilhowanackkle.
from the last we have considerable hope as we have
as yet hunted but little in that quarter. it blew hard all day.
in the evening the Indians departed. The hunters who were
over the Netull the other day informed us that they measured
a pine tree, (or fir N°. 1) which at the hight of a man's breast
was 42 feet in the girth; about three feet higher, or as high
as a tall man could reach, it was 40 feet in the girth which was
about the circumpherence for at least 200 feet without a limb,
and that it was very lofty above the commencement of the
limbs. from the appearance of other trees of this speceis of
fir and their account of this tree, I think it may be safely estimated
at 300 feet. it had every appearance of being perfectly
sound.

The black and white duck are small; ab[o]ut the size of
the blue-winged teal, or reather larger. the male is beautifully
variagated with black and white. the white occupys the
sides of the head, breast and back, black, the tail feathers of
the wings two tufts of feathers which cover the upper part of
the wings when foalded, the neck and head, the female is
darker or has much less white about her. I take this to be
the same speceis of duck common to the Atlantic coast, and
frequently called the butterbox. the beak is wide and short,
and as well as the legs, of a dark colour. the flesh of this
duck is very well flavored, the brown duck is much in form
like the duckinmallard, tho' not much more than half it's size.
the colour is an uniform mixture of yellowish and dark brown.
there is nothing remarkable in the appearance of this duck;
it generally resorts the same kind of grassey marshes with the

duckinmallard and feeds in a similar manner, on grass seed,
and roots. both these ducks are common to the river for
some distance above tide water as well as below. The black
duck is about the size of the bluewinged teal. their colour
is a duskey black the breast and belley somewhat lighter than
the other parts, or a dark brown. the legs stand longitudinally
with the body, and the bird when on shore stands of
cours very erect. the legs and feet are of a dark brown, the
toes are four on each foot, a short one at the heel and three
long toes in front, which are unconnected with a web. the
webs are attatched to each sides of the several joints of the toe,
and divided by deep sinuses at each joint. the web assuming
in the intermediate part an eliptical figure. the beak is about
two inches long, streight, flated on the sides, and tapering to
a sharp point. the upper chap somewhat longest, and bears
on it's base at the joining of the head, a little conic protuberance
of a cartelagenous substace, being redish brown at the
point. the beak is of an ivory white colour. the eye dark.
these ducks usually associate in large flocks, and are very
noisey; their note being a sharp shrill whistle. they are usually
fat and agreeably flavored; and feed principally on moss,
and other vegitable productions of the water. we did not meet
with them untill we reached tide-water, but I beleive them not
exclusively confined to that district at all seasons, as I have
noticed the same duck on many parts of the Rivers Ohio and
Mississippi. the gizzard and liver are also remarkably large
in this fowl.[85] the divers are the same with those of the Atlantic
States. the smaller species has some white feathers about
the rump with no perceptable tail and is very active and qu[i]ck
in it's motion; the body is of a redish brown. the beak sharp
and somewhat curved like that of the pheasant. the toes are
not connected but webed like those discribed of the black
duck. the larger speceis are about the size of the teal and
can flye a short distance which the small one scarcely ever atta[m]pts.
they have a short tail. their colour is also an uniform
brickredish brown, the beak is streight and pointed. the
feet are of the same form of the other speceis and the legs are
remarkably thin and flat one edge being in front. the food of
both speceis is fish, and the flesh unfit for uce.[86] the blue-winged
teal are a very excellent duck, and are the same with
those of the Atlantic coast. There are some other speceis of
ducks which shall be hereafter discribed as I may hereafter
have an opportunity to examine them.

[Clark:]

Monday March 10th. 1806

about 1 P. M. it became fair and we sent out two parties
of hunters on this side of the Netul, one above and the other
below, we also directed a party to set out early in the morning
and pass Meriwethers Bay and hunt beyond the Kilhowanakkle.
from the last we have considerable hope, as we have
as yet hunted but little in that quarter. it blew hard all day,
in the evening the Indians departed. The Hunters, S. R. F.
& F. who were over the netul the other day informed us that
they measured a 2d tree of the fir speces (N°. 1) as high as a
a man could reach, was 39 feet in the girth; it tapered but
very little for about 200 feet without any considerable limbs,
and that it was a very lofty above the commencement of the
limbs. from the appearance of other species of fir, and their
account of this tree, I think it might safely [be] estimated at
300 feet, it had every appearance of being perfectly sound in
every part.

The brown Duck is much in form like the Duckinmallard,
tho' not much more than half it's size. the colour is one uniform
mixture of yellowish and dark brown. there is nothing
remarkable in the colour of this duck; it resorts the same kind
of grassy marshes with the Duckinmallard, and feeds in a similar
manner, on grass, seeds & roots. both these ducks are
common to the river for some distance above tide water as well
as below. The black Duck is about the size of the bluewinged
teel. their colour is a duskey black the breast and
belly somewhat lighter than the other parts, or a dark brown.

the legs stand longitudianally with the body, and the Bird
when on shore stands very erect. the legs and feet are of a
dark brown, the toes are four on each foot, a short one on the
heel and three long toes in front which are unconnected with
a web. the web is atached to each side of the several joints
of the toes, and divided by deep sinues at each joint, the web
assumeing in the intermediate part an elipticle figure. the
beak is about two inches long, streight, flated on the sides, and
tapering to a sharp point. the upper chap somewhat longest
and bears on its base at the joining of the head, a little conic
protuberance of a cartelagenous substance, being redish brown.
the beak is of a ivery white colour. the eye dark. these
ducks usially associate in large flocks, and are very noisey;
their note being a sharp shrill whistle. they are usially fat and
tolerably flavoured; and feed on moss and other vegitable productions
of the water. we did not meet with them untill we
reached tide water; I have noticed the same duck on maney
parts of the Ohio and Mississippi. the Gizzard and liver are
also remarkably large in this fowl. The Divers are the same
with those of the atlantic states. the smaller species has some
white feathers about the rump and no perceptable tail and is
very active and quick in its motion; the body is of a redish
brown. the beak sharp and somewhat curved like that of the
Pheasant the toes are not connected but webd. like those
discribed of the black duck. The large species are about the
size of the teal &c. the food of both those species is fish, and
their flesh is unfit for use.

The bluewinged teal are a very excellent duck, and are the
same with those of the Atlantic coast. There are some other
species of ducks which shall be hereafter describd. as I may
hereafter have an oppertunity of examening them.

[Lewis:]

Tuesday March 11th. 1806.

Early this morning Sergt. Pryor arrived with a small canoe
loaded with fish which he had obtained from the Cathlahmah's
for a very small part of the articles he had taken with him.
the wind had prevented his going to the fis[h]ery on the opposite

side of the river above the Wackiacums, and also as we had
suspected, prevented his return as early as he would otherwise
have been back. The dogs at the Cathlahmahs had bitten the
trong [thong] assunder which confined his canoe and she had
gone a drift. he borrowed a canoe from the Indians in which
he has returned. he found his canoe on the way and secured
her, untill we return the Indians their canoe, when she can be
brought back. Sent Sergt. Gass and a party in surch of a canoe
which was reported to have been sunk in a small creek on the
opposite side of the Netul a few miles below us, where she
had been left by Shields R. Fields and Frazier when they were
lately sent out to hunt over the Netul. They returned and
reported that they could not find the canoe she had broken
the cord by which she was attatched, and had been carried off
by the tide. Drewyer Joseph Fields and Frazier set out by
light this morning to pass the bay in order to hunt as they had
been directed the last evening. we once more live in clover;
anchovies fresh Sturgeon and Wappetoe. the latter Sergt. Pryor
had also procured and brought with him. The reptiles of this
country are the rattlesnake garter snake and the common brown
Lizzard. The season was so far advanced when we arrived on
this side of the rocky mountains that but few rattlesnakes were
seen I did not remark one particularly myself, nor do I know
whether they are of either of the four speceis found in the
different parts of the United states, or of that species before
mentioned peculiar to the upper parts of the Missouri and it's
branches. The garter snake so called in the United States is
very common in this country; they are found in great numbers
on the open and sometimes marshey grounds in this neighbourhood.
they differ not at all from those of the U'States.
the black or dark brown lizzard we saw at the rock fort Camp
at the commencement of the woody country below the great
narrows and falls of the Columbia; they are also the same
with those of the United States. The snail is numerous in
the woody country on this coast; they are in shape like those
of the United States, but are at least five times their bulk.[87]
There is a speceis of water lizzard of which I saw one only just
above the grand rapids of the Columbia. it is about 9 inches
long and the body is reather flat and about the size of a mans
finger covered with a soft skin of a dark brown colour with an
uneven surface covered with little pimples the neck and head
are short, the latter terminating in an accute angular point and
flat. the fore feet each four toes, the hinder ones five unconnected
with a web and destitute of tallons. it's tail was reather
longer than the body and in form like that of the Musk-rat,
first rising in an arch higher than the back and decending
lower than the body at the extremity, and flated perpendicularly.
the belley and under part of the neck and head were of
a brick red, every other part of the colour of the upper part
of the body a dark brown. the mouth was smooth, without
teeth.[88]

[Clark:]

Tuesday 11th. of March 1806

Early this morning Sergt. Pryor arrived with a small Canoe
loaded with fish which he had obtained from the Cath-lah-mah's
for a very small part of the articles he had taken with him.
the wind had prevented his going to the fishery on the opposit
side of the river above the Waukiecum's, and also as we
had suspected, prevented his return as early as he otherwise
would have been back. The dogs of the Cathlamah's had
bitten the throng assunder which confined his canoe and she
had gorn adrift: he borrowed a Canoe from the Indians in
which he has returned. he found his canoe on the way and
secured her, untill we return the Indians their canoe. Sent
Sergt. Gass and a party in serch of one of our canoes which was
reported to have been lost from a hunting party of Shields R.
Field & Frazier when they were last out on the opposit side
of the Netul. they returned and reported that they could not
find the canoe which had broken the cord with which it was
attached, and was caried off by the tide. Drewyer Jo. Field &
Frazier set out by light this morning to pass the bay in order
to hunt as they had been directed last evening. we once more

live in clover; anchovies fresh sturgeon and Wappatoe. the
latter Sergt. Pryor had also procured a fiew and brought with
him. The Deer of this coust differ from the Common Deer,
fallow Deer or Mule Deer as has [been] beformentiond.

The Mule Deer we have never found except in rough country;
they prefer the Open Grounds and are seldom found in
the wood lands near the river; when they are met with in the
wood lands or river bottoms and pursued, they imediately run
to the hills or open country as the Elk do, the contrary happens
with the common Deer. there are several differences between
the Mule and common deer as well as in form as in
habits. they are fully a third larger in general, and the male
is particularly large; think there is somewhat greater disparity
of size between the Male and the female of this Species than
there is between the male and female fallow Deer; I am convinced
I have seen a Buck of this species twice the volume [of]
a Buck of the common Deer. the Ears are peculiarly large, I
measured those of a large Buck which I found to be eleven
inches long and 3 1/2 in width at the widest part; they are not
so delicately formed, their hair in winter is thicker longer and of
a much darker grey, in Summer the hair is still coarser longer
and of a paler red, more like that of the Elk; in winter they
also have a considerable quantity of very fine wool intermixed
with the hair and lying next to the skin as the Antelope has.
the long hair which grows on the outer side of the first joint
of the hind legs, and which in the common Deer do not usially
occupy more than 2 inches in them occupy from 6 to 8; their
horns also differ, those in the common deer consist of two main
beams gradually deminishing as the points proceed from it, with
the Mule deer the horns consist of two beams which at the
distance of 4 or 6 inches from the head divide themselves into
two equal branches which again either divide into two other
equal branches or terminate in a smaller, and two equal ones;
haveing either 2, 4 or 6 points on a beam; the horn is not so
rough about the base as the common deer, and are invariably
of a much darker colour. the most striking difference of all,
is the white rump and tail. from the root of the tail as a center
there is a circular spot perfectly white of about 3 1/2 inches

radius, which occupy a part of the rump and the extremities
of buttocks and joins the white of the belley underneath; the
tail which is usially from 8 to 9 inches long for the first 4 or 5
inches from its upper extremity is covered with short white
hairs, much shorter indeed than those hairs of the body; from
hence for about one inch further, the hair is still white but
gradually becoms longer, the tail then termonates in a tissue
of Black hair of about 3 inches long. from this black hair of
the tail they have obtained among the French engages the appelation
of the black tailed Deer, but this I conceive by no
means characteristic of the Animal as much the larger portion
of the tail is white. the Ears and the tail of this Animale
when compared with those of the Common Deer, so well comported
with those of the Mule when compared with the Horse,
that we have by way of distinction adapted the appellation of
the Mule Deer which I think much more appropriate. on the
inner corner of each eye there is a drane (like the Elk) or large
recepticle which seams to answer as a drane to the eye which
givs it the appearance of weeping, this in the Common Deer
of the Atlantic States is scercely proceptable but becoms more
conspicious in the fallow Deer, and still more so in the Elk;
this recepticle in the Elk is larger than any of the Pecora order
with which I am acquainted.[89]

I have some reasons to believe that the Calumet Eagle is
sometimes found on this side of the Rocky Mountains from
the information of the Indians in whose possession I have seen
their plumage. those are the same with those of the Missouri,
and are the most butifull of all the family of the Eagle of
America it's colours are black and white with which it is
butifully varigated. the feathers of the tail which is so highly
prized by the Indians is composed of twelve broad feathers of
equal length those are white except about two inches at the
extremity which is of a jut black. their wings have each a
large circular white spot in the Middle when extended. the
body is variously marked with white and black. the form is
much that of the Common bald Eagle, but they are reather
smaller and much more fleet. this Eagle is feared by all carnivarous

birds, and on his approach all leave the carcase instantly
on which they were feeding, it breeds in the inaccessable
parts of the Mountains where it spends the summer, and descends
to the plains and low country in the fall and winter
when it is usially sought and taken by the nativs. two tails
of this bird is esteemed by Mandans, Minnetares, Ricaras,
&c. as the full value of a good horse, or Gun and accoutrements.
With the Osage & Kanzas and those nations enhabiting
countrys where this bird is more rare, the price is even
double of that mentioned. with these feathers the nativs
deckerate the stems of their sacred pipes or calumets; whence
the name of Calumet Eagle, which has Generally obtained
among the Engages. The Ricaras have domesticated this bird
in many instances for the purpose of obtaining its plumage.
the nativs in every part of the Continent who can precure
those feathers attach them to their own hair and the mains and
tail of their favorite horses by way of orniment. they also
deckerate their own caps or bonnets with those feathers.[90] The
Leather winged bat is found &c.

[Lewis:]

Wednesday March 12th. 1806.

We sent a party again in surch of the perogue but they returned
unsuccessfull as yesterday. Sent one hunter out on
this side of the Netul, he did not return this evening. I beleive
the Callamet Eagle is sometimes found on this side of the
rocky mountains from the information of the Indians in whose
possession I have seen their plumage. these are the same
with those of the Missouri, and are the most beautifull
of all the family of the Eagles of America. it's colours are
black and white with which it is beautifully variagated. the
feathers of the tail which are so highly prized by the Indians
is composed of twelve broad feathers of equal length. these
are white except about 2 inches at the extremity which is of

a jut black. there wings have each a large circular white spot
in the middle when extended. the body is variously marked
with white and black. the form is much that of the common
bald Eagle, but they are reather smaller and much more fleet.
this eagle is feared by all carnivorous birds, and on his approach
all leave the carcase instantly on which they were feeding, it
breads in the inaccessable parts of the mountains where it
spends the summer, and decends to the plains and low country
in the fall and winter when it is usually sought and taken by
the natives. two tails of this bird is esteemed by the Mandans
Minnetares Ricares, &c as the full value of a good horse, or
gun and accoutrements. with the Great and little Osages and
those nations inhabiting countries where this bird is more rare
the price is even double of that mentioned. with these feathers
the natives decorate the stems of their sacred pipes or callamets
[calumets]; whence the name, of Callamet Eagle, which has
generally obtained among the Engages. the Ricares have
domesticated this bird in many instancies for the purpose of
obtaining it's plumage. the natives in every part of the continent
who can procure these feathers attatch them to their own
hair and the mains and tails of their favorite horses by way of
ornament. they also decorate their war caps or bonnets with
those feathers. The leather winged bat common to the
United states is also found on this side of the Rocky mountains.
Besides the fish of this coast and river already mentioned
we have met with the following speceis viz. the Whale,
Porpus, Skaite, flounder, Salmon, red charr, two speceis of Salmon
trout, mountain or speckled trout, and a speceis similar
to one of those noticed on the Missouri within the mountains,
called in the Eastern states, bottle-nose. I have no doubt but
there are many other speceis of fish, which also exist in this
quarter at different seasons of the year, which we have not had
an oportunity of seeing. the shell fish are the Clam, perrewinkle,
common mussle, cockle, and a speceis with a circular
flat shell. The Whale is sometimes pursued harpooned and
taken by the Indians of this coast; tho' I beleive it is much
more frequently killed by runing fowl [foul] on the rocks of
the coast in violent storms and thrown on shore by the wind
and tide. in either case the Indians prese[r]ve and eat the
blubber and oil as has been before mentioned, the whale bone
they also carefully preserve for sale. Our party are now furnished
with 358 pair of mockersons exclusive of a good portion
of dressed leather.

[Clark:]

Wednesday March 12th 1806

We sent a party again in serch of the Canoe but they returned
unsucksessfull as yesterday sent one hunter out on
this side of the Netul he did not return this evening. Our
party are now furnished with 358 par of Mockersons exclusive
of a good portion of Dressed leather, they are also
previded with shirts overalls capoes of dressed Elk skins for
the homeward journey.

Besides the fish of this coast and river already mentioned
we have met with the following species. viz. the Whale,
Porpus, Skaite, flounder, Salmon, red-carr, two Specis of
salmon trout, mountain or speckled trout, and a Species
similar to one of those noticed on the Missouri within the
mountains, called in the Eastern States, bottle nose. I have
no doubt but there are many other species of fish which also
exist in this quarter at different seasons of the year, which we
have not had an oppertunity of seeing. the Shell fish are the
Clam, perriwinkle, common Muscle, cockle, and a species with
a circular flat shell.

The Whale is sometimes pursued harpooned and taken by
the Indians of this coast; tho I believe it is much more
frequently killed by running on the rocks of the coast to S.S.W.
in violent storms, and thrown on different parts of the coast
by the winds and tide. in either case the Indians preserve
and eat the blubber and oil as has been before mentioned.
the whale bone they also carefully preserve for sale.

The Reptiles of this country are the rattlesnake, garter snake
a common brown Lizzard. the season was so far advanced on
this side of the Rocky Mountains that but fiew rattle snakes
were seen. I did not remark one particularly my self nor do
I know if they are of either of the four species found in different

parts of the United States, or of that species before observed
only on the upper parts of the Missouri & its branches.
The Garter snake so called in the U States is very common
in this country, they are found in great numbers on the open
and sometimes marshy grounds in this neighbourhood. they
differ not at all from those of the United States. the Black
or dark brown Lizzard we saw at the long narrows or commencement
of the woody country on the Columbia; they are
also the same with those of the U. States. The snail is noumerous
in the woodey country on the Columbia; they are in
shape like those of the U. States, but are at least five times
their bulk. there is a specis of water Lizzard of which I only
saw one just above the grand rapid of the Columbia. it is
about 9 inches long the body is reather flat and about the size
of a mans finger, covered with a soft skin of dark brown
colour with an uneaven surface covered with little pimples, the
neck and head are short, the latter termonateing in an accute
angular point and flat. the fore feet each have four toes, the
hinder ones five unconnected with a web and destitute of
tallons. it's tail was reather longer than the body, and in form
like that of the Muskrat, first riseing in an arch higher than
the back, and decending lower than the body at the extremety,
and flated perpendicularly. the belley and under part of
the neck and head were of a Brick red every other part of
the colour of the upper part of the body are dark brown. the
mouth was smooth without teeth.

The horns of some of the Elk have not yet fallen off and
those of others have Grown to the length of six inches. the
latter are in the best order, from which it would seem that the
pore Elk retain their horns longer.

[Lewis:]

Thursday March 13th 1806.

This morning Drewyer Jos. Fields and Frazier returned;
they had killed two Elk and two deer. visited by two Cathlahmahs
who left us in the evening. we sent Drewyer down
to the Clatsop village to purchase a couple of their canoes if
possible. Sergt Pryor and a party made another surch for the

lost perog[u]e but was unsuccessfull; while engaged in surching
for the perogue Collins one of his party killed two Elk near
the Netul below us. we sent Sergt. Ordway and a party for
the flesh of one of the Elk beyond the bay with which they
returned in the evening, the other Elk and two deer were at
some distance. R. Fields and Thompson who set out yesterday
morning on a hunting excurtion towards point Adams
have not yet returned. The horns of some of the Elk have
not yet fallen off, and those of others have shotten out to the
length of six inches. the latter are in the best order; from
which it would seem that the poor Elk retain their horns
longest.

Observed Equal Altitudes of the ☉ with Sextant.

     

A. M.	8. 6. 16.	P. M.	2. 45. 10
	". 8. 6.		". 47. 3	Altitude given by Sext. at the time of Obsert. 48.° 26' 45".
	". 10. -.		". 48. 54

Chronometer too slow on Mean Time [blank space in MS.]

The Porpus is common on this coast and as far up the river
as the water is brackish. the Indians sometimes gig them and
always eat the flesh of this fish when they can procure it; to
me the flavor is disagreeable. the Skaite is also common to
the salt water, we have seen several of them that had perished
and were thrown out on the beach by the tide. The flounder
is also an inhabitant of the salt water, we have seen them also
on the beach where they had been left by the tide, the Indians
eat the latter and esteem it very fine, these several
speceis are the same with those of the Atlantic coast. the
common Salmon and red Charr are the inhabitants of both the
sea and rivers. the former is usually largest and weighs from
5 to 15 lbs. it is this speceis that extends itself into all the
rivers and little creeks on this side of the Continent, and
to which the natives are so much indebted for their subsistence.
the body of this fish is from 2 1/2 to 3 feet long and
proportionably broad. it is covered with imbricated scales of
a moderate size and is variagated with irregular black spots on
it's sides and gills, the eye is large and the iris of a silvery

colour the pupil black. the nostrum [rostrum] or nose extends
beyond the under jaw, and both the upper and lower jaws are
armed with a single series of long teeth which are subulate
and infle[c]ted near the extremities of the jaws where they are
also more closely arranged. they have some sharp teeth of
smaller size and same shape placed on the tongue which is
thick and fleshey. the fins of the back are two; the first is
plaised nearer the head than the ventral fins and has rays, the
second is placed far back near the tail is small and has no rays.
the flesh of this fish is when in order of a deep flesh coloured
red and every shade from that to an orrange yellow, and when
very meager almost white. the roes of this fish are much
esteemed by the natives who dry them in the sun and preserve
them for a great length of time. they are about the size of
a small pea nearly transparent and of a redish yellow colour.
they resemble very much at a little distance the common
currants of our gardens but are more yellow. this fish is sometimes
red along the sides and belley near the gills; particularly
the male. The red Charr are reather broader in proportion
to their length than the common salmon, the skales are also
imbricated but reather large.[91] the nostrum [rostrum] exceeds
the lower jaw more and the teeth are neither as large nor so
numerous as those of the salmon. some of them are almost
entirely red on the belley and sides; others are much more
white than the salmon and none of them are variagated with the
dark spots which make the body of the other. their flesh roes
and every other particular with rispect to their form is that of
the Salmon. this fish we did not see untill we decended below
the gr[e]at falls of the Columbia, but whether they are exclusively
confined to this portion of the river or not at all
seasons I am unable to determine.

[Clark:]

Thursday March 13th 1806

This morning Drewyer Jos. Fields and Frazer returned.
they had killed two Elk and two deer. Visited by two Cath-lah-mars
who left us in the evening. we sent Drewyer down
to the Clatsop Village to purchase a couple of their canoes if
possible. Sergt. Pryor and a party made another serch for the
lost Canoe but was unsucksessfull; while engaged in serching
for the canoe, Collins one of his party killed two Elk near the
Netul below us. we sent Sergt. Ordway and a party for the
flesh of one of the Elk beyond the Bay with which they returned
in the evening; the other Elk and 2 Deer were at
some distance. R. Field and Thompson who set out on a
hunting excursion yesterday morning towards point Adams
have not yet returned. took equal altitudes to day this being
the only fair day for sometime past.

The Porpus is common on this coast and as far up the river
as the water is brackish. the Indians sometimes gig them and
always eat the flesh of this fish when they can precure it; to
me the flavour is disagreeable. the Skaite is also common to
the salt water, I have seen several of them that had perished
and were thrown out on the beach by the tide. The flounder
is also an enhabitent of the salt water. we have seen them also
on the beach where they had been left by the tide, the nativs
eate the latter and esteem it very fine. these several species
are the same of those of the atlantic coasts. The common
salmon and red charr are the inhabitents of both the sea and
river, the former is usially largest and weighs from 5 to
15 lbs. it is this species that extends itself into all the rivers
and little creek on this side of the Continent, and to which
the nativs are so much indented for their subsistence. the
body of this fish is from 2 1/2 to 3 feet long and perpotionably
broad. it is covered with imbricated scales of a moderate
size and is varigated with irregular black spots on its side
and gills. the eye is large and the iris of a silvery colour the
pupil black. the nostrum or nose extend beyond the under
jaws, and both the upper and the lower jaw are armed with a
single series of long teeth which are subulate and infleted near
the extremities of the jaws where they are more closely arranged.

they have some sharp teeth of smaller size and same shape on
the tongue which is thick and fleshey. the fins of the back
are two; the first is placed nearer the head than the Ventral
fins and has [blank space in MS.] rays, the second is placed far
back near the tail is small and has no rays. The flesh of this
fish when in order of a deep flesh coloured red and every
shade from that to an orrange yellow, and when very meager
almost white. the Roe of this fish are much esteemed by the
nativs, who dry them in the sun and preserve them for a
great length of time. they are about the size of a small pea
nearly transparrent and of a redish yellow colour. they resemble
very much at a little distance the common current of
our gardens but are more yellow. this fish is sometimes red
along the sides and belly near the gills; particularly the male
of this species.

The Red Charr are reather broader in proportion to their
length than the common salmon, the skales are also embricated
but reather large. the nostrum exceeds the lower jaw more and
the teeth are neither so noumerous or large as those of the
salmon. some of them are almost entirely red on the belly
and sides; others are much more white than the salmon, and
none of them. are varigated with the dark spots which mark
the body of the other. their flesh roe and every other particular
with respect to their [form] is that of the salmon. this
fish we did not see untill we had decended below the Great
falls of the Columbia; but whether they are exclusively confined
to this portion of the river or not at all seasons, I am
unable to determine.

The Salmon Trout are seldom more than two feet in length,
they are narrow in purportion to their length, at least much
more so than the salmon & red charr. their jaws are nearly
of the same length, and are furnished with a single series of
subulate streight teeth, not so long or so large as those of the
salmon, the mouth is wide, and the tongue is also furnished
with some teeth, the fins are placed much like those of the
salmon, at the Great Falls are met with this fish of a
silvery white colour on the belly and sides, and a blueish light
brown on the back and head, in this neighbourhood we have

met with another species which does not differ from the other
in any particular except in point of colour. this last is of a dark
colour on the back, and its sides and belley are yellow with
transverse stripes of dark brown. sometimes a little red is
intermixed with these colours on the belly and sides towards
the head. the flesh & roe is like those described of the
salmon. the white species which we found below the falls
were in excellent order when the salmon were entirely out of
season and not fit for use. The species which we found here
early in november on our arrival in this quarter had declined
considerably, reather more so than the red charr with which
we found them associated in the little riverlets and creeks. I
think it may be safely asserted that the Red charr and both
species of the salmon trout remain in season longer in the fall
of the year than the common salmon;[92] but I have my doubt
whether [any] of the species of the salmon trout ever pass the
Great falls of the Columbia. The Indians tell us that the
salmon begin to run early in the next month; it will be unfortunate
for us if they do not, for they must form our principal
dependance for food in assending the Columbia above the
Falls and it's S. E. branch Lewis's river to the Mountains.

The Speckled or Mountain Trout are found in the waters of
the Columbia within the Rocky Mountains.[93] they are the same
of those found in the upper part of the Missouri, but are not
so abundant in the Columbian Waters as in that river. The
bottlenose is also found on the waters of the Columbia within
the Mountains.[94]

[Lewis:]

Friday March 14th 1806.

This morning we sent a party after the two Elk which
Collins killed last evening, they returned with them about
noon. Collins, Jos. Fields and Shannon went in quest of the
flock of Elk of which Collins had killed those two. this evening
we heared upwards of twenty shot, and expect that they
have fallen in with and killed a number of them. Reubin

Fields and Thompson returned this evening unsuccessfull having
killed one brant only. late in the evening Drewyer arrived
with a party of the Clatsops who brought an indifferent
canoe some hats and roots for sale, the hats and roots we
purchased, but could not obtain the canoe without giving more
than our stock of merchandize would lisence us. I offered him
my laced uniform coat but he would not exchange. The Salmon
Trout are seldom more than two feet in length they are
narrow in proportion to their length, at least much more so
than the Salmon or red charr. the jaws are nearly of the same
length, and are furnished with a single series of small subulate
streight teeth, not so long or as large as those of the Salmon.
the mouth is wide, and the tongue is also furnished with some
teeth, the fins are placed much like those of the salmon. at
the great falls we met with this fish of a silvery white colour
on the belley and sides, and a bluish light brown on the back
and head, in this neighbourhood we have met with another
speceis which dose not differ from the other in any particular
except in point of colour. this last is of a dark colour on the
back. and it's sides and belley are yellow with transverse stripes
of dark brown. sometimes a little red is intermixed with these
colours on the belley and sides towards the head. the eye,
flesh, and roes are like those discribed of the Salmon. the
white speceis which we found below the falls was in excellent
order when the salmon were entirely out of season and not fit
for uce. the speceis which we found here on our arrival early
in November has declined considerably, reather more so inded
than the red Charr with which we found them ascociated in the
little rivulets and creeks. I think it may be safely asserted
that the red Charr and both speceis of the salmon trout remain
in season longer in the fall of the year than the common Salmon;
but I have my doubts whether either of them ever pass
the great falls of the Columbia. The Indians tell us that the
Salmon begin to run early in the next month; it will be unfortunate
for us if they do not, for they must form our principal
dependence for food in ascending the Columbia, above the falls
and it's S.E. branch to the Mountains. The mountain or
speckled trout are found in the waters of the Columbia within
the mountains, they are the same of those found in the upper
part of the Missouri, but are not so abundant in the Columbia
as on that river. we never saw this fish below the mountains,
but from the transparency and coldness of the Kooskooske I
should not doubt it's existing in that stream as low as it's junction
with the S.E. branch of the Columbia. The bottle nose is
the same with that before mentioned on the Missouri and is
found exclusively within the mountains.

[Clark:]

Friday March 14th 1806.

This morning we dispatched a party after two Elk which
Collins killed last evening, they returned with them about
noon. Jos: Field, Collins, Go: Shannon & Labiesh went in
quest of the gang of Elk out of which Collins had killed the
2 yesterday. this evening we had upwards of twenty shot and
expect they have fallen in with and killed several of them.
Reuben Field and Thompson returned this evening unsucksessfull
haveing killed only one Brant. late in the evening
Geo: Drewyer arrived with a party of the Clatsops who
brought an indifferent canoe, three hats and some roots for
sale we could not purchase the canoe without giveing more
than our stock of merchandize would lisence us. Capt. Lewis
offered his land uniform coat for a verry indiferent canoe,
agreeable to their usial way of tradeing his price was double.
we are informed by the Clatsops that they have latterly seen
an Indian from the Q uin-na-chart Nation[95] who reside six days
march to the N. W and that four vessles were there and the
owners Mr. Haley, Moore, Callamon & Swipeton were tradeing
with that noumerous nation, whale bone oile and skins of
various discription.

[Lewis:]

Saturday March 15th 1806.

This morning at 11. OCk. the hunters arrived, having killed
four Elk only. Labuish it seems was the only hunter who fell

in with the Elk and having by some accedent lost the fore
sight of his gun shot a great number of times but killed only
the number mentioned. as the elk were scattered we sent two
parties for them, they returned in the evening with four skins
and the flesh of three Elk, that of one of them having become
putrid from the liver and pluck having been carelessly left in
the animal all night. we were visited this afternoon by Delashshelwilt
a Chinnook Chief his wife and six women of his nation
which the old baud his wife had brought for market. this was
the same party that had communicated the venerial to so many
of our party in November last, and of which they have finally
recovered. I therefore gave the men a particular charge with
rispect to them which they promised me to observe. late this
evening we were also visited by Catel a Clatsop man and his
family. he brought a canoe and a Sea Otter Skin for sale
neither of which we purchased this evening. The Clatsops
who had brought a canoe for sale last evening left us early this
morning. Bratton still sick.

Observed Equal Altitudes of the ☉ with Sextant.

       

	h m s		h m s
A M.	7. 58. 29	P. M.	2. 49. 1
	8. 0. 15		". 50. 50	Altitude given at the time of obsert. 48° -.′ -″.
	". 2. 8		". 52.41

Chronometer too slow on Mean Time [blank space in MS.]

There is a third speceis of brant in the neighbourhood of
this place which is about the size. and much the form of the
pided brant. they weigh about 8 1/2 lbs. the wings are not as
long nor so pointed as those of the common pided brant. the
following is a likeness of it's head and beak.[96] a little distance
around the base of the beak is white and is suddonly succeoded
by a narrow line of dark brown. the ballance of the neck,
head, back, wings, and tail all except the tips of the feathers
are of a bluish brown of the common wild goose. the breast
and belly are white with an irregular mixture of black feathers
which give that part a pided appearance. from the legs back

underneath the tail, and arond the junction of the same with
the body above, the feathers are white. the tail is composed
of 18 feathers; the longest of which are in the center and
measure 6 Inches with the barrel of the quill; those on the
sides of the tail are something shorter and bend with their extremities
inwards towards the center of the tail. the extremities
of these feathers are white. the beak is of a light flesh
colour. the legs and feet which do not differ in structure from
those of the goose or brant of the other speceis, are of an
orrange yellow colour. the eye is small; the iris is a dark
yellowish brown, and pupil black. the note of this brant is
much that of the common pided brant from which in fact they
are not to be distinguished at a distance, but they certainly are
a distinct spe[c]i[e]s of brant.[97] the flesh of this fowl is as
good as that of the common pided brant. they not remain
here during the winter in such numbers as the white brant
do, tho' they have now returned in considerable quantities.
first saw them below tide-water.

[Clark:]

Saturday March 15th 1806

This morning at 11 oClock the hunters arrived, haveing
killed four Elk only. Labiesh it seams was the only Hunter
who fell in with the Elk and haveing by some accident lost
the foresight of his gun shot a great number of times and only
killed four. as the Elk were scattered we sent two parties for
them, they return in the evening with four skins, and the flesh
of three Elk, that of one of them haveing become putred from
the liver and pluck haveing been carelessly left in the animal
all night. We were visited this Afternoon in a canoe 4 feet
2 I. wide by De-lash-hel-wilt a Chinnook Chief his wife and
six women of his Nation, which the Old Boud his wife had
brought for Market. this was the same party which had communicated
the venereal to several of our party in November
last, and of which they have finally recovered. I therefore

gave the men a particular charge with respect to them which
they promised me to observe. late this evening we were
also visited by Ca-tel a Clatsop man and his family. he
brought a Canoe and a sea otter skin for sale neither of which
we could purchase of him. the Clatsops which had brought
a Canoe for sale last evening left us this morning. Bratten is
still very weak and unwell.

There is a third species of Brant in the neighbourhood of
this place which is about the size and much the form of the
b[p]ided brant. they weigh about 8 1/2 lbs. the wings are not
as long nor so pointed as the common pided brant. the following
is a likeness of its head and beak. a little distance around
the base of the beak is white and is suddenly succeeded by a
narrow line of dark brown. the ballance of the neck, head,
back, wings and tail all except the tips of the feathers are of
the blueish brown of the common wild goose, the breast and
belly are white with an irregular mixture of black feathers
which give that part a pided appearance. from the legs back
underneath the tail, and around the junction of the same with
the body above, the feathers are white. the tail is composed
of 18 feathers; the longest of which are in the center and
measure 6 inches with the barrel of the quill; those on the
side of the tail are something shorter and bend with their extremities
inwards towards the center of the tail. the extremities
of these feathers are white. the beak is of a light flesh
colour. the legs and feet which do not differ in structure from
those of the Goose or brant of the other species, are of an
orrange yellow colour. the eye is small; the iris is of a dark
yellowish brown, and puple black. the note of this brant is
much that of the common pided brant from which in fact they
are not to be distinguished at a distance, but they certainly are
a distinct species of brant. the flesh of this fowl is as good
as that of the common pided brant. they do not remain here
dureing the winter in such numbers as the white brant do, tho'
they have now returned in considerable quantities. we first
met with this brant on tide water.

The Clams of this coast are very small. the shells consist
of two valves which open with a hinge, the shell is smooth

Head of a Brant, by Clark.

thin and of an oval form or like that of the common Muscle
and of a skye blue colour; it is of every size under a Inch &
3/4 in length, and hangs in clusters to the moss of the rocks,
the nativs sometimes eate them. The Periwinkle both of the
river and ocian are similar to those found in the same situation
on the Atlantic. there is also an animal which inhabits a shell
perfectly circular about 3 inches in diameetor, thin and entire
on the marjin, convex and smooth on the upper side, plain on
the under part and covered with a number of minute capillary
fibers by means of which it attaches itself to the sides of the
rocks. the shell is thin and consists of one valve. a small
circular opperture is formed in the center of the under shell
the animal is soft and boneless &c.[98]

[Lewis:]

Sunday March 16th 1806.

Not any occurrence worthy of relation took place today.
Drewyer and party did not return from the Cathlahmahs this
evening as we expected. we suppose he was detained by the
hard winds of today. the Indians remained with us all day,
but would not dispose of their canoes at a price which it was
in our power to give consistently with the state of our Stock
of Merchandize. two handkerchiefs would now contain all
the small articles of merchandize which we possess; the ballance
of the stock consists of 6 blue robes one scarlet d° one
uniform artillerist's coat and hat, five robes made of our large
flag, and a few old cloaths trimed with ribbon. on this stock
we have wholy to depend for the purchase of horses and such
portion of our subsistence from the Indians as it will be in our
powers to obtain. a scant dependence indeed, for a tour of the
distance of that before us. the Clam of this coast are very
small. the shell consists of two valves which open with a
hinge. the shell is smooth thin of an oval form or like that
of the common mussle, and sky blue colour, it is about 1 1/2
inches in length, and hangs in clusters to the moss of the rocks.
the natives sometimes eat them. the perewinkle of the river

and Ocean are similar to those found in the same situations
on the Atlantic coast. the common mussle of the river are
also the same with those in the rivers of the atlantic coast.
the cockle is small and also much the same of the Atlantic.
there is also an animal which inhabits a shell perfectly circular
about 3 Inches in diameter, thin and entire on the margin,
convex and smooth on the upper side, plain on the under part
and covered with a number [of] minute capillary fibers by
means of which it attatches itself to the sides of the rocks.
the shell is thin and consists of one valve. a small circular
apperture is formed in the center of the under shell, the animal
is soft & boneless.

The white Salmon Trout which we had previously seen only
at the great falls of the Columbia has now made it's appearance
in the creeks near this place. one of them was
brought us today by an Indian who had just taken it with his
gig. this is a likness of it; it was 2 feet 8 Inches long, and
weighed 10 lbs. the eye is moderately large, the puple black
and iris of a silvery white with a small addmixture of yellow,
and is a little terbid near it's border with a yellowish brown.
the position of the fins may be seen from the drawing,[99] they
are small in proportion to the fish, the fins are boney but not
pointed except the tail and back fins which are a little so, the
prime back fin and ventral ones, contain each ten rays; those
of the gills thirteen, that of the tail twelve, and the small fins
placed near the tail above has no bony rays, but is a tough
flexable substance covered with smooth skin. it is thicker in
proportion to it's width than the salmon. the tongue is thick
and firm beset on each border with small subulate teeth in a
single series. the teeth of the mouth are as before discribed.
neither this fish nor the salmon are caught with the hook, nor
do I know on what they feed.

[Clark:]

Sunday March 16th 1806

Not any occurrence worthy of relation took place today.
Drewyer and party did not return from the Cathlahmah's this

evening as we expected. we suppose he was detained by the
hard winds today. the Indians remain with us all day, but
would not dispose of their canoe at a price which it was in our
power to give consistently with the state of our stock of Merchandize
which we possess, the ballance of the stock consists
of 6 small blue robes or Blankets one of scarlet. one uniform
Artillerist's coat and hat, 5 robes made of our larg flag, and a
fiew [of] our old clothes trimed with ribon. on this stock we
have wholy to depend for the purchase of horses and such
portion of our subsistence from the Indians as it will be in our
power to obtain. a scant dependence indeed for the tour of
the distance of that before us.

The pellucid jelly like substance, called the sea nettle I found
in great abundance along the Strand where it has been thrown
up by the waves and tide, and adheres to the sand.

There are two species of the Tuci or (seawead) seawreck
which we also found thrown up by the waves. the 1st. specie
at one extremity consists of a large s[v]esicle or hollow vessale
which would contain from one to 2 gallons, of a conic form,
the base of which forms the extreem End and is convex and
Globelar bearing on its center some short broad and irregular
fibers. the substance is about the consistancy of the rind of
a citron Mellon and 3/4 of an inch thick, yellow celindrick,
and regularly tapering the tube extends to 20 or 30 feet and
is then termonated with a number of branches which are flat
1/2 inch in width, rough particularly on the edges, where they
are furnished with a number of little oval vesicles or bags of
the size of a Pigions egg. this plant seams to be calculated to
float at each extremity, while the little end of the tube from
whence the branches proceed, lies deepest in the water.

The White Salmon Trout which we had previously seen only
at the Great Falls of the Columbia, or a little below the Great
Falls, has now made its appearance in the creeks near this
place. one of them was brought us to day by an indian who
had just taken it with his gig. This is a likeness of it; it was
2 feet 8 inches long, and weighed ten pounds the eye is
moderately large, the puple black with a small admixture of
yellow and the iris of a silvery white with a small admixture

of yellow and a little tirbed near its border with a yellowish
brown. the position of the fins may be seen from the drawing,
they are small in perpotion to the fish. the fins are boney
but not pointed except the tail and back fins which are a little
so, the prime back fin and venteral ones, contain each ten
rays; those of the gills twelve, and the small finn placed near
the tail above has no long rays, but is a tough flexable substance
covered with smooth skin. it is thicker in perpotion to
its width than the salmon. the tongue is thick and firm beset
on each border with small subulate teeth in a single series.
the Teeth of the mouth are as before discribed. neither this
fish nor the salmon are cought with the hook, nor do I know
on what they feed. [they] now begin to run &c. &c.

[Lewis:]

Monday March 17th. 1806.

Catel and his family left us this morning. Old Delashelwilt
and his women still remain they have formed a ca[m]p
near the fort and seem to be determined to lay close s[i]ege to
us but I beleive notwithstanding every effort of their wining
graces, the men have preserved their constancy to the vow of
celibacy which they made on this occasion to Capt. C. and myself.
we have had our perogues prepared for our departure,
and shal set out as soon as the weather will permit. the
weather is so precarious that we fear by waiting untill the first
of April that we might be detained several days longer before
we could get from this to the Cathlahmahs as it must be
calm or we cannot accomplish that part of our rout. Drewyer
returned late this evening from the Cathlahmahs with our
canoe which Sergt. Pryor had left some days since, and also
a canoe which he had purchased from those people. for this
canoe he gave my uniform laced coat and nearly half a carrot
of tobacco. it seems that nothing excep[t] this coat would
induce them to dispose of a canoe which in their mode of
traffic is an article of the greatest val[u]e except a wife, with
whom it is equal, and is generally given in exchange to the
father for his daughter. I think the U'States are indebted to

A White Salmon Trout, by Clark.

me another Uniform coat for that of which I have disposed on
this occasion was but little woarn. we yet want another canoe,
and as the Clatsops will not sell us one at a price which we
can afford to give we will take one from them in lue of the
six Elk which they stole from us in the winter.

The pellucid jellylike substance, called the sea-nettle is
found in great abundance along the stra[n]d where it has been
thrown up by the waves and tide.

There are two speceis of the Fuci or seawreck [wrack] which
we also find thrown up by the waves. the 1st. speceis at one
extremity consists of a large vesicle or hollow vessell which
would contain from one to two gallons, of a conic form,
the base of which forms the extreem end and is convex and
globelar bearing on it's center some short broad and irregular
fibers, the substance is about the consistence of the rind of
a citron mellon and 3/4 of an inch thick. the rihind is smooth.
from the small extremity of the cone a long hollow, celindrick,
and regularly tapering tube extends to 20 or thirty feet and is
then terminated with a number of branches which are flat
1/2 an inch in width rough particular[ly] on the edges where
they are furnished with a number of little ovate vesicles or
bags of the size of a pigeon's egg. this plant seems to be
calculated to float at each extremity while the little end of the
tube from whence the branches proceed, lies deepest in the
water.

The other speceis I have never seen but Capt. Clark who
saw it on the coast towards the Killamucks informed me that
it resembles a large pumpkin, it is solid and it's specific
gravity reather greater than the water, tho it is sometimes
thrown out by the waves. it is of a yellowis[h] brown colour.
the rhind smooth and consistence harder than that of a pumpkin
tho' easily cut with a knife. there are some dark brown
fibers reather harder than any other part which pass longitudinally
through the pulp or fleshey substance w[h]ich
forms the interior of this marine production.[100]

The following is a list of the names of the commanders of vessels
who visit the entrance of the Columbia river in the spring and autumn
fror the purpose of trading with the natives or hunting Elk. these names
are spelt as the Indians pronounce them.[101]

Mr. Haley their favorite trader vis[i]ts them in a vessel with three
masts, and continues some time

                       

Youens, visits in a 3 masted vessel				Trader
Tallamon	d°.	3	d°.	no trader
Callallamet	d°.	3	d°.	Trader, has a wooden leg.
Swipton	d°.	3	d°.	Trader.
Moore	d°.	4	d°.	D°.
Mackey	d°.	3	d°.	d°.
Washington	d°.	3	d°.	d°.
Mesship	d°.	3	d°.	d°.
Davidson	d°.	2		no trader hunts Elk
Jackson	d°.	3		masted vessel Trader
Bolch	d°.	3	d°.	d°
Skelley	d°.	3	d°.	d°. tho' he has been gone some years. he has one eye.

[Clark:]

Monday March 17th. 1806

Catel and his family left us this morning. Old Delashelwilt
and his women still remain, they have formed a camp
near the fort and seam determined to lay close sege to us, but
I believe notwithstanding every effort of their wining graces
the men have preserved their constancy to the vow of celibacy
which they made on this Occasion to Capt L. and myself. we
have had our Canoes prepared for our departure, and shall
set out as soon as the weather will permit. the weather is so
precarious that we fear by waiting untill the first of April that
we might be detained several days longer before we could
get from this to the Cath-lah-mahs, as it must be calm or we
cannot accomplish that part of the rout in our canoes. Drewyer
returned late this evening from the Cath-lah-mahs with our
Indian canoe which Sergt: Pryor had left some days since, and
also a canoe, which he had purchased from those people. for

this canoe he gave Captn. Lewis's uniform laced coat and nearly
half a carrot of tobacco. it seams that nothing except this
Coat would induce them to dispose of a canoe which in their
mode of traffic is an article of the greatest value except a wife,
with whome it is nearly equal, and is generally given in exchange
to the father for his daughter. I think that the
United States are in justice indebted to Captn Lewis another
uniform Coat for that of which he has disposed of on this
ocasion, it was but little worn.

We yet want another canoe as the Clatsops will not sell
us one, a proposition has been made by one of our interpts. and
sever [al] of the party to take one in lieu of 6 Elk which they
stole from us this winter &c