2^4 ^ A P P E N D I X I. 



and borrowed from fome of the •■• Kuril iflands. Upon 

 being asked concerning their origin, they faid that they 

 had always inhabited thefe iflands, and knew nothing of 

 any other country beyond them. All that could be ga- 

 thered from them was, that the greateft numbers came 

 from Alaxa, and that they did not know whether that 

 land had any bounds. The Ruffians furveyed this illand 

 very far to the N. E. in boats, being out about a fort- 

 niglit, and fet up a crofs at the end of their furvey. The 

 boats of the illanders are like thofe of the Americans. It 

 appears however from their cuftoms and way of life, fo 

 far as thefe are not neceffarily prefcribed to them by 

 their iituation, that they are of Kamtchatdal original. 

 Their hiUs, their manner of kindling fire, and their oh- 

 ]eS.s of unnatural affecftions, lead to this conje6lure. Add 

 to this, the almoit continual Wefterly winds, which muft 

 render the pailage Welhvartl extremely diflicult. Eeering 

 and TchirikofF could never obtain Eaiierly winds but by 

 going to the Southward. 



The Ruffians have for fome years pad been accuilomed 

 to go to thcle iflands in queil of furs, of which they 

 liave impofed a tax on the inhabitants. The manner of 

 carrying on this trade is as follows. The Ruffian traders 

 go in Autumn to Beering's and Coi)per iiland, and there 

 winter : they then employ themfeh es in catching the 



« I cannot iind, that any of the Kuril Ifles are called Aleyut in the 

 catalogue of thole iflands given by Mr. Mullcr, S. R. G. III. p. 86 — 9?. 

 Neither are any of ihcm laid down under that name in the Ruillan charts. 



fea- 



