﻿COMMERCE. 373 



the north-eastern corner of Asia*; but they resist 

 the invaders with firmness, and maintain a greater 

 degree of independence than any other native 

 Siberian tribe. 



Neither the Eskimos nor any other North Ameri- 

 can nation have domesticated any animal except the 

 dog ; but the Asiatic Tchehto are a truly nomadic 

 people, and have tamed the rein-deer, of which they 

 have numerous herds. The rearing of the deer, which 

 constitutes their wealth, requires the command of 

 a woody country and also of barren grounds or 

 tundras. Commander Moore, during the winter that 

 the " Plover " passed in Emma's Harbour, not far 

 from Cape Tchoukotsky, purchased rein-deer from 

 the inhabitants of a village near his anchorage, to 

 the great benefit of his crew, and at the low rate of 

 twelve carcasses for a ship's musket. The Tchuk- 

 ches are skilful traders. Those who frequent the 

 fair of Ostrownoie bring thither furs and walrus- 

 teeth, and receive in return tobacco, iron articles, 

 hardware, and beads. They are accompanied by 

 their women and children, and bring with them 

 their arms, skin tents, and household goods, all 

 conveyed on sledges drawn by rein-deer. The 

 journey occupies six months, for they have to 

 make circuitous routes in search of pasture ; and 



* For the use of the reUitive terms east and west see note, 

 p. 371. 



B B 3 



