1898.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 35 



most common plants of the plains 

 of Columbia. May 27, 1806. 



Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Spreng. Arbutus Uva-ursi Pursh (not 



No. 33. An evergreen plant Willd.), Fl. 283. On the plains 

 which grows on the open plains, of the Mississippi ; the Indians 

 usually; the natives smoke its smoke the leaves under the name 

 leaves mixed with tobacco; called of Sacacommis,and considerthem 

 by the French Engages (?) saca- of great medicinal virtue. 25 

 commis ; obtained at Fort Man- 

 dan. Fort Mandan, open plains. 

 Evergreen called Sacacommis, 

 natives smoke its leaves. 



Pursh, Fl. 282 [but does not 



Arbutus Menziesii Pursh. 



A middle-sized tree with a re- mention Lewis' specimen], 

 markable smooth bark, which 

 scales off in the manner of the 

 birch, and red berries in clusters. 

 Columbia River, Nov. 1, 1805. 



Gaultheria Shallon Pursh. Pursh. Fl. 283. On the falls 

 The shallon, supposed to be a of Columbia and near the west- 

 species of Vaccinium. On the ern ocean. M. Lewis. \ . May, 

 coast of the Pacific Ocean. June June, v. s. in Herb. Lewis nee 

 20, 1806. non Banks. 26 



25 Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Sprengel. 



" An evergreen plant which grows in the open plains usually ; the natives 

 smoke its leaves mixed with tobacco. It is called by the French Engagees 

 sacacommis, obtained at Fort Mandan." Pursh, Fl. I. 283, says : "on the 

 plains of the Mississippi the Indians smoke the leaves under the name of 

 sacacommis, and consider them of great medicinal value," but does not credit 

 Lewis. It is not clear whom he refers to as " Engages," but the name may 

 have been given by the French and not by the Indians. The Journal speaks 

 of a plant " known by the traders as sacacotnmis." 1 Professor Knowlton in 

 the notes to Coues' edition of the travels, suggests the Arctostaphylos pungens 

 for this, but Lewis' label as above, settles the question. The Journal further 

 says : " The natives eat the berries without any preparation. They are some- 

 times gathered and hung in the lodges in bags." 



26 Gaultheria Shallon Pursh. 



Described and figured by Pursh, I, 284. " The shallon, supposed to be a 

 species of Vaccinium, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, January 10. 1806 ;" 

 leaves and branches only. Pursh says : '' on the Falls of the Columbia and 

 near the western Ocean, M. Lewis." He further notes that he described 

 from the more perfect specimens of Menzies. The Journal says : " Shallum 

 is a favorite food of the elk It has a dark purple berry of pleasant flavor. 

 The natives eat the berry when ripe, but seldom collect it in quantities to dry 

 for winter use." It is generally known in these times as the Salal berry. 



