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Show 502 the middle ring, to which last they were equal in dimensions, each l'ing nppcaring to ext nd an angle of fifteen degrees of a g1·ca.t circle. Jauuary I 5 A total eclipse of the moon last ni1~ht Yi~ihlc here, but partially obscured by the clouds. P'cb. March 19 Icc now three feet thi ck on the most rapid part of the river. 23 The snow fell ~lbout four inches deep last nig·ht, and continues to snow. :n 8 14 2 3 12 19 It frequently happens that the sun rises fai1· and in about fifteen or twenty minutes it Lccomcs suddenly turbid, as if the moon had some chemical effect on the atmosphere. The snow fell two inches last night. The black and white speckled woodpecker has returned. The snow fell three inches deep last night. The snow has clisappcarc<l in many places, the ri-ver partialJy broken up. A flock of ducks passed up the rivet· this mom in g-. Snow but slight, disappeared to-day. But little snow, not enough to cover the ground. Collected some roots, hcrLs and plants, in order to send by the bo<tt, panicubrly the root said to cure the bite· of .._ mad clog and ratllcsnakc. The Indians raise a kind of aniclHJkc s, which they say is common in the prairies; well tasted. ~I Some ducks in the rivet· opposite the fort. 24 But little snow. 25 A flock of swan returned to-day: the icc in the river has given way in many places, and it is with difficulty it can be passed. 26 The ice gave way in the river about 3 P. M. and came down in immense sheets; very ncar destroying our new canoes; some geese }'ass to~ day. Jlpptndix. J\.1arch '27 The fit·st insect T have seen, was a large black gnat to-tlny; the icc drifting in gt·eat quantities. 28 Ice abates in quantity, wind h.lrd, rivet· rises thirteen inches, nnd l~llls twelve inches. 29 A variety or iusccts make theit· appearance, as Hie!\ bu~s, &c. The icc ceases to run, supposed lO have formed an obstr·uction 0\bovc. ::;o The icc comes down in g-r ·at quantities; the ManeLm\; take some floating· buffaloc. 31 Ducks and geese passin~;: the icc abates in quantity. April A fine refreshing showct· of rain fc11 abont 2 P.M. this was the first showct of rain that we had witnc&sctl since the I 5th Scpternbc1·, 1 80 4, thoug-h it has scv raJ times fallen in small quantities, and was noticed in the diary of the weather; the cloud came from the west, and was attendeel by hard thundc1· and lig-htning. I have ob:; crved that all t hunrler-clouds in the western part of the continent, pt·ocecd from the westerly quarter, as they do in the Atlantic states. The air is t·emarkably dry and pure in this open conntry; vcry little rain or snow, either winter ot· summer. The atmosphere is more tJ'a.nsparent than l ever observed it in any country throu~h which I have passell. ~ Observed a Oock of brant passing up the river today: the wind blew very hard, as it docs frcquctllly in this quaner. There is scat·ccly any ti n1bcr to b1·cak the wind~ from the river, and the country on both ~ides being level plains, wholly destitute of timber, the winds blow with astonislung violence, in thi:; open country, and f01·m a gTcat obstruction to the navigation of tlw Missotll·i, l':.u·ticul;.u·ly with small vesse ls, which can ncithe•· ascend nor descend should the wind be the least violent. 6 This day a flock of cheny OJ' reclaJ· birds were seen, one "f the men killed severnl of them. Thev a1·e |