236 History of Astronomy for the Year 1SO0. 



has made some journevs and voyages for determining the 

 principal points of the new acquisitions to the Russian go- 

 vernment in Lithuania, Volhynia, Kidolia, and Taurida. 



In the spring of 1804, captain Lewis was directed by the 

 president of the United States to ascend the Missouri to dis- 

 cover the easiest way of reaching the Pacific ocean *. For 

 this purpose he left Washington, accompanied by captain 

 Clark and thirty men, forming a small caravan : they 

 ascended the Missouri to within 930 leagues of its grancJ 

 cataracts ; they then traversed the rockv niountains in the 

 neighbourhood, where they were under the necessity of 

 wintering, on account of the snow with which these moun- 

 tains were covered; and in one part, extending about twenty 

 leagues, the snow never melts. Captain Lewis proceeded 

 120 leagues to the navigable part of the river Kooskgoske ; 

 from Kooskooske to the south-east branch of the river Co- 

 lumbia, 25 leagues ; from this branch to the bed of the same 

 river, 50 leagues ; and, lastly, thev travelled along the river 

 Columbia to its mouth, being 150 leagues : which gives a 

 distance of more than 1200 leagues from the mouth of the 

 Missouri to the Pacific ocean. 



Captain Lewis observed that the tide flowed 30 leagues 

 up the Columbia ; that is to sav, to within two leagues and 

 a Iialf of its cataracts, to the place where it is navigable for 

 large vessels. Above this place it is onlv navigable for ca- 

 noes and flat-bottonicd boats. 



The Rclatio/i du f'ui/agc de Dccouverles fai/es aux Terres 

 Australes pendant Ics Jnnccs 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1604; 

 comprising, 1st, The historical part: 2d, The manners and 

 description of the people : 3d, The physical and meteoro- 

 logical part ; forming together four vols, in 4to, edited by 

 Messrs. Peron and Lesueur, will be published at the expense 

 of government. 



The natural history part of the same voyages and travels 

 will be printed and published by subscription. 



M. Gualtle, a naval officer belonging to St. Maloes, bas 

 made a great number of observations in the country of the 

 Mississippi, in North America. 



• See Phii. M'ag. vol. xxvii. p. 13, &c. 



M. de 



