Clark: February 9, 1806
Sunday February 9th 1806 This morning Collins & Wiser Set out on a
hunting excurtion; in the evening Drewyer returned; had Killed nothing but
one Beaver. he Saw one black Bear, which is the only one which has been
seen in the neighbourhood Since our arrival. the Indians inform us that
they are abundant but are now in their holes.
In the marshey grounds frequently overflown by the tides there grows a
Species of fir which I took to be the Same of No. 5. from examonation I
find it a distinct species of fir. it is more perfusely branched. This
tree Seldom rises to a greater hight than 35 or 40 feet and is from 2 to 4
feet in Diamieter; the Bark the Same with that of No. 1. only reather more
rugid. the leaf is acerose, 2/10 of an inch in width and 3/4 in length,
they are firm Stiff and Somewhat accuminated, ending in a Short pointed
hard tendril, gibbous thickly scattered on all Sides of the bough as
respects the 3 upper Sides only; those which have their insertion on the
underside incline sidewise with their points upwards giveing the
leaf the Shape of a Sythe. the others are perpindicular or pointing
upwards, growing as in No. 1 from Small triangular pedestals of a Soft
Spungy elastic bark. the under disk of these leaves or that which grows
nearest to the Base of the bough is of a dark glossy green, while the
upper or opposit side is of a whiteish pale green; in this respect
differing from almost all leaves. The boughs retain their leaves as far
back as almost to the Sixth year’s groth. the peculiarity of the budscales
observed in No. 1 is obsd. in this Species. The Cone is 31/2 Inches in
length, and 3 in circumfranse, of an ovale figure being thickest in the
middle and tapering and terminateing in two obtuce points. it composes
several flexable, thin, obtusely jointed Smoth and redish brown imbricated
scales. each scale Covering two small winged Seed and being itself Covered
in the center by a small thin inferior scale accutely pointed. The Cone is
Some what of this figure. they proceed from the sides as well as the
extremities of the bough, but in the former case allways at or near the
Commencement of Some one years groth which in Some instances are as far
back as the third year
The Stem of the Black Alder of this countrey before mentioned as ariveing
at great Size, is Simple branching and defuse. the bark is Smoth of a
light Colour with white Coloured Spredding Spots or blotches, resembling
much that of beech. the leaf is procisely that of the Common alder of the
United States or Virginia. those trees grow Seperately from different
roots and not in Clusters or Clumps, as those of the atlantic States,
casts its folage about the 1st of December.
Fearing that our meat would Spoil we Set Six men to jurking it to day,
which they are obliged to perform in a house under shelter from the
repeated rains.
