When you see an unfamiliar tree, bird, landmark or animal one of the first things you may do is compare it to other trees, birds or animals that are familiar. This is the approach Meriwether Lewis took with many of his observations as he proceeded west with the Corps of Discovery. Lewis reported seeing "a great abundance of the Argalia or Bighorned aniamls in the high country." He was referring to the Rocky mountain bighorn sheep, such as we saw from our jet boats today. The reference to an Argalia was most likely from seeing pictures and reading of this Asian sheep in the library of Thomas Jefferson. As personal secretary to President Jefferson, Lewis had access to the finest private library in the United States at that time.
Lewis was meticulous in his descriptions of plants, birds, animals, fish, landmarks, and even the native peoples. His descriptions often ran 500 words or more and usually included not only visual descriptions, but the texture, smell, taste and sound. Upon a further investigation of bighorn habitat Lewis noted "The sides of the Clifts where these anamals resort much to lodge...have the peculiar smell of the sheepfolds." While we were not privileged to experience this scent sensation, we were delighted with the visual aspect of four separate bands of bighorn sheep. Each band had its master, a bighorn ram with three-quarter curl horns or better.
