104 Expedition to tht 



by Col. Chambers, then at Fort Osage. The rifle regiment 

 was encamped here, waiting the arrival of the contractor's 

 boats. 



Fort Osage was established in 1808, by Gov. Lewis. It 

 stands on an elevated bluff, commanding a beautiful view of 

 the river, both above and below. The works are a stockade, 

 of an irregular pentagonal form, with strong log pickets per- 

 forated with loop holes ; two block houses are placed at op- 

 posite angles ; one of them, however, flanks one of its cur- 

 tains too obliquely to be of much service in defending it. 

 There is also a small bastion at a third angle. Within are 

 two series of buildings for quarters, store houses, &c. The 

 position of the fort is not a secure one, on account of nume- 

 rous ravines and declivities that would cover an enemy 

 within a short distance ; but is such that boats ascending or 

 descending the river must be exposed to its fire. The stream 

 in the middle of the river, and on the opposite side, is so 

 remarkably rapid that it is in vain to contend against it with 

 the oar or paddle ; it is, therefore, usually necessary for as- 

 cending boats to enter the eddy, which brings them within 

 musket shot of the fort. 



Its highest northern range is Canada, in North America; and it is found 

 as far south as the river Oronoco, in South America. 



This species is leanest in February and 'March, and in best condition in 

 October and November. The rutting season commences in November, 

 and continues about one month, ceasing generally about the middle of 

 December. During this season the neck of the male becomes much di- 

 lated. 



The fawn, towards autumn, loses his spots, and the hair becomes gray- 

 ish, and lengthens in the winter. In this state the deer is said by the hun- 

 ters to be in the gray. This coat is shed in the latter part of May and 

 beginning of June, and is then substituted by the reddish coat. In this 

 state the animal is said to be in the red. Towards the last of August the 

 old bucks begin to change to the dark bluish colour ; the doe commences 

 this change a week or two later. In this state they are said to be in the 

 blue. This coat gradually lengthens until it comes again to the gray. The 

 skin is said to be toughest in the red, thickest in the blue, and thinnest in 

 the gray. The blue skin is most valuable. 



The horns are cast in January. They lose the velvet the last of Septem- 

 ber, and beginning of October. About the middle of March, Mr. Peale 

 shot a large doe, in the matrix of which were three perfectly formed 

 young, of the size of a rabbit. 



