PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 301 



upon poles of driftwood. There are, however, several chap 



VII 



kinds of habitations, which seem to vary in their con- 

 struction according; to the nnture of the 2:round and Oct 

 the taste of the inhabitants. Some are wholly above 

 ground, others have their roof scarcely raised above 

 it ; some resemble those of the Tschutschi, and others 

 those of the natives near Prince William Sound ; but 

 they all agree in being constructed with driftwood 

 covered with peat, and in having the light admitted 

 through a hole in the roof covered with the intestines 

 of sea animals. The natives reside in these abodes 

 during the winter, and when the season approaches at 

 which they commence their wanderings, they launch 

 their baidars, and taking their families with them, 

 spread along the coast in quest of food and clothing 

 for the ensuing winter. An experienced fisherman 

 knows the places which are most al)undant in fish and 

 seals, and resorts thither in the hope of being the first 

 occupier of the station. Thus almost every point of 

 land and the mouths of all the rivers are taken pos- 

 session of by the tribe. Here they remain, and pass 

 their time, no doubt, very happily^ in the constant 

 occupation of taking salmon, seals, walrusses, and 

 reindeer, and collecting peltry, of which the beaver- 

 skins are of very superior quality, or whatever else 

 they can procure, which may prove useful as winter 

 store. 



During their absence the villages are left in charge 

 of a few elderly women and children, with a youth or 

 *wo to assist them, who, besides preventing depreda- 

 tions, are deputed to cleanse and prepare the yourts 

 for the reception of the absentees at the approach of 

 winter. As long as the fine weather lasts they live 

 under tents made of deer-skins laced upon poles ; but 

 about the middle of September, they break up these 



