262 A P P E N D I X I. 



wooden masks, made in the form in which they fay 

 the Kugan appeared to them ; they then dance with 

 violent motions, beating at the fame time drums covered 

 with fifli Ikins. The inhabitants alfo wear little figures 

 on their caps, and place others round their huts, to keep 

 off the devils, Thefe are fvifficient marks of a favage 

 religion. 



It is common for them to have two, three, or four 

 wives, and fome have alfo an objedl of unnatural affec- 

 tion, who is dreffed like the women. The wives do not 

 all live togetiier, but, like the Kamtchadals, in different 

 yourts. It is not unuiual for the men to exchange their 

 wives, and even fell them, in time of dearth, for a blad- 

 der of fat ; the hufband afterwards endeavours to get 

 back his wife, if Ihe is a favourite, and if imfuccefs- 

 ful he fometimes kills himfelf. Wl.en ftrangers ar- 

 rive at a village, it is always cuftomary for the women to 

 go out to meet them, while the men remain at home : 

 this is confidered as a pledge of friendlhip and fecurity. 

 When a man dies in the hut belonging to his wife, flie 

 retires into a dark hole, where llie remains forty days. 

 The hufband pays the fame compliment to his favourite 

 wife upon her death. When both parents die, the chil- 

 dren are left to fliift for themfelves. The Ruffians found 

 many in this fituation, and fome were brought for 

 fale. 



In 



