PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 367 



snow and the inclemency of the weather. A rude 

 ladder led to a floor of loose boards, beneath which 

 our noses as well as our eyes were greeted by a pool VS' 

 of dirty green water. The inner chamber was the 

 sleeping and cooking room. 



Another yourt, to which a store of provision was 

 attached, by a low subterraneous passage, was ex- 

 amined by Lieutenant Belcher the ensuing year : 

 it was in other respects very similar, and needs no 

 particular description. Of these yourts, one was 

 of much larger dimensions than the others, which, 

 it was intimated by the natives, was constructed 

 for the purpose of dancing and amusing them- 

 selves. Mr. Belcher was particularly struck with 

 the cleanliness of the boards and sleeping places 

 in the interior of the yourt he examined ; where- 

 as the passage and entrance were allowed to re- 

 main in a very filthy condition. The air was too 

 oppressive to continue in them for any length 

 of time. Every yourt had its rafters for placing 

 sledges, skins of oil, or other articles upon in the 

 winter time, to prevent their being buried in the 

 snow. The number of these frames, some bearing 

 sledges, and others the skeletons of boats, formed a 

 complete wood, and had attracted our notice at 

 the distance of six or seven miles. Of the many 

 yourts which composed the village, very few were 

 occupied ; the others had their entrances blocked up 

 with logs of drift-wood and the ribs of whales. 

 From this circumstance, and the infirm condition of 

 almost all who remained at the village, it was evi- 

 dent that the inhabitants had gone on sealing ex- 

 cursions, to provide a supply of food for the winter. 

 The natives, when we were about to take our leave, 



