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Show CIIAl:)'r.ER Xlll. l'hc name of the Missouri changed, as the river now divides itself into thref' forks, one of which is called after Jefft:rson, the other l\11\di~on, and the other after Gallatin-their general character-the party ascend the Jefferson lmmch-description of the river Philosophy which enters into the Jeffet•son -captain Lewis and a small party go in advanct: in search of the Shoshonees -description of the countt·y, &c. bordering on the river--captain Lewis still preceding the main party in quest of the Shoshonees-a singular accident " ·hich prevented captain Clarke from following captain Lewis's advice, and ascending the middle fork of the riYer-dcscription of Philantht·opy rivet·, another stream running into the Jelfct·son-captain Lewis and a small party haYing been unsuccessful in their flrst attempt, S<'t off a second time iu quest of the Shoshonees. Sunday, July 28. CAPTAIN CLARKE continued very unwell during the night, l.mt was somewhat relieved this mornjog. On examining the two stt·eams it became difficult to decide which was the larger or the real Missouri; they are each ninety yards wide and so perfectly similar in character and appearance that they seem to have been formed in the same mould. We were therefore induced to discontinuf} the name of 1\-lissouri, and gave to the southwest branch the name of Jefferson in honour of the president of the United S~atcs, and the projector of the enterprise: and called the m1ddlc branch Madison, after James 1\-Iadison secretary of state. rl'hese two, as well as Gallatin river, run with g~eat .velocity and throw out large bodies of water. Gallatin 1'1~er 1s however the most rapid of the three, and though not qmte as deep, yet navigable for a considerable distance. Madison river though much less rapid than the Gallatin, is somewhat more rapid than the Jefferson; the beds of all of them arc formed of smooth pebble and gravel, and the waters are perfectly transparent. "rbe timber in the neigh· Lewis ant! Cla•·l~c·s Exp€dilion, &c. S29 lwurhoml would be sufficient for the o1·dina•·y uses of an es· tahlishment, which, however, it would he adviseablc to build of brick, as the earth ·appears calcu latrd for that purpose, and along the shores a1·c some bars of fsne pure 8and. The greater part of the men, having yesterday put theiP deer skins in wn.tcr, were this day engaged in dressing thrm, fol' the purpose of making clothing. 'rhe weather was very warm. the thermometer in the afternoon was at 90° auovc o, and the musquitoes more than usually incon .. vcniE>nt: we were, however, relieved from them by a high wind ft·om the southwest, which came on at foul." o'clock, b1·inging a storm of thunder and lightning, attended by rcfrcshmg showers, whicll continued till after dark. In the evening the launters returned whh eight deer and two elk; and the 1,arty who had been sent up the Gallatin. repm·ted that after· passing the point, where it escaped from captian Lewis's view yesterday, it turned more towards the east, a~ far as they could discern the opening of the mountains~ forme<! hy the valley which bordet•rtl it. 'rhe low grounds were still wide but not so extensive as near its mouth. and though the stream is rapid and much divided by islands, it is still suilicicntly deer for navigation with canoes. 'rhe low grounds, althougl1 not mol'c than eight or nine feet abo-re the water.. seem never to be ovel'flowcd, except a 11art on the west side of the middle fot·k, which is stony and seem~ occasionally inundated, ure furnished with great quantities of small ft·uit, such as currants and gooseberries: among the last of which is a IJlack species, which we observe not only in the meadows but along the mountain rivulets. Ft·om the same root rise a numocr of stems to the height of ilve or six feet, some of them particularly branched and all re"' clining. The berry is attached by a long peduncle to the stem, from whicb they hang of a smooth ovate form, ns large as tbc common garden gooseberry, and as black as jet, though the pulp is of a bt·ight crimson colour. It •s c~tremely acid: the form of the lear resemble~ that of thfl VOL. 1. lJ Jt |