Day-by-Day / February 25, 1806

February 25, 1806

Western gray squirrel

At Fort Clatsop near Astoria, Oregon, there is little movement today other than violent winds and rain. Lewis describes Richardson’s ground squirrels and western gray squirrels—the latter new to science.

A Stormy Day

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.
Meriwether Lewis

Western Gray Squirrel

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 . . . . this animal is much larger than the grey squirrel of our country it resembles it much in form and colours.
—Meriwether Lewis

Richardson’s Ground Squirrel

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.
—Meriwether Lewis

A Few Celestial Observations

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.—
—Meriwether Lewis

Weather Diary

aspect of the weather at sun symbol rise Wind at sun symbol rise aspect of the weather at 4 OC1 P.M. Wind at 4 O’Clock P.M.
rain after rain S rain after rain S

the wind violent all night and this morning continued until late in the evening when it ceased.
—Meriwether Lewis[1]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of ye Month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.

 

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Notes

Notes
1 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of ye Month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.