4.20 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



to be a good augury, he rejoices in this conjuncture, does not fail to 

 manifest his satisfaction, and bows himself three times. As soon as he 

 perceives a hare, on the contrary, he utters a cry, pursues it, and strikes 

 a blow in the air with his stick, in order to exorcise the misfortune 

 which might happen. For the world, he would not pick up a steel for 

 striking a light found upon the way. To seat himself upon the thresh- 

 old of the door, or warm his feet before the fire, he holds for a great 

 impiety ; and if it happens to any one to light his pipe with paper, it is 

 certain that he will soon die. 



Notwithstanding these superstitions of the Calmucks, they are said 

 to possess a good deal of intelligence. Their imagination, especially, 

 is much developed, and they are ingenious, as is proved by their tales 

 and proverbs. Some of their tales are so long that they require many 

 evenings to be recited to the end. The Calmucks recite them in a 

 sinking tone. 



Being exclusively occupied in raising cattle, the life of the Calmuck 

 is nomad. A khoton, which is a commune, more or less numerous, 

 composed of many families united by bonds of relationship, never remains 

 more than two or three weeks in the same place. Transmigration 

 from one place to another is a real feast to the Calmucks. All their 

 goods, including their tent, are loaded upon the back of a camel, and 

 covered over with a piece of drapery if the family is in easy circum- 

 stances. The women and girls, in holiday dress, as well as the young 

 boys, drive the flocks. The little infants are placed in panniers, which 

 are attached to the sides of the loaded camels, and the mother who is 

 suckling is mounted on the top with her infant. The men on horseback 

 take the lead, and conduct the caravan. The march, which sometimes 

 lasts many days, does not tire the Calmucks ; and they often divert 

 themselves with songs and stories. 



Behold them at last arrived at a spot which affords more abundant 

 pasturage. They make a halt, unload the camels, and set to work to 

 erect the tents, which does not require much time. At the end of 

 half an hour, the framework of the tent is put up. It has the form of 

 a truncated tunnel reversed, resting by its base upon a cylindrical sup- 

 port, which has the same circumference. It is covered outside by a 

 felt cloth, and inside with reed mats. At one side there is an opening, 

 into which is fitted a wooden frame for the door. This door, being 

 open all day, allows the air and light to enter into the interior of the 

 tent, which also receives a little light from above by an opening in the 

 centre of the roof. The floor is covered with a carpet and felts in sum- 

 mer, and with the skins of different animals in winter. The arrange- 

 ment of the interior does not require much pains or time. Opposite 

 the door they put up against the side of the tent a low couch. On the 

 left of this is raised the grand baran, the most sacred place in the 

 habitation of a Calmuck. It is upon this that the objects of his 

 religious adoration are deposited, as well as all the treasures of his 



