Lewis: September 13, 1804
On September 13, 1804, Meriwether Lewis shot a blue-winged teal and a porcupine, the latter found in a cottonwood tree along the river's larboard shore. Noting that nearby cottonwoods had heavily damaged foliage, he concluded the porcupine had been feeding on the leaves. Lewis described the animal in detail: its meat was pleasant and wholesome, its quills not yet full-grown, and it weighed 15 to 20 pounds. He noted its four-toed feet with long black claws, and compared its forefeet to a sloth's and its teeth and eyes to a beaver's.
September 13th Killed a bluewinged teal and a Porcupine; found it in a
Cottonwood tree near the river on the Lard. Shorethe leaves of the
Cottonwood were much distroyedas were those of the Cottonwood trees
in it’s neighbourhood. I therefore supposed that it fed on the folage of
trees at this season, the flesh of this anamal is a pleasant and whoalsome
foodthe quills had not yet obtained their usual lengthit has
four long toes, before on each foot, and the same number behind with the
addition of one short one on each hind foot on the inner side. the toes of
the feet are armed with long black nails particularly the fore feet- they
weigh from 15 to 20 lbsthey resemble the slowth very much in the
form of their hands, or fore feet. their teeth and eyes are like the bever
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
September 13th. Killed a blue-winged teal and a porcupine; found it in a cottonwood tree near the river on the larboard shore. The leaves of the cottonwood were much destroyed, as were those of the cottonwood trees in its neighborhood. I therefore supposed that it fed on the foliage of trees at this season. The flesh of this animal is a pleasant and wholesome food. The quills had not yet obtained their usual length. It has four long toes in front on each foot, and the same number behind, with the addition of one short one on each hind foot on the inner side. The toes of the feet are armed with long black nails, particularly the fore feet. They weigh from 15 to 20 pounds. They resemble the sloth very much in the form of their hands, or fore feet. Their teeth and eyes are like the beaver's.
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