310 cook's VOYAGE TO OCT. 



curtains, and a variety of other domestic purposes. 

 Of" the same materials, they also make very neat little 

 bags and baskets, of different forms, and for various 

 uses. 



The plant called bolotnaia, which grows in the 

 marshes, and resembles cyperoides, is gathered in the 

 autumn, and carded like wool, with a comb made of 

 the bones of the sea-swallow ; with this, in lieu of 

 linen and woollen clothes, they swath their new-born 

 infants, and use it for a covering next the skin whilst 

 they are young. It is also made into a kind of wad- 

 ding, and used for the purpose of giving additional 

 warmth to various parts of their clothing. 



There remains still a vulgar and well-known plant, 

 which, as it contributes more effectually to their 

 subsistence than all the rest put together, must not be 

 passed over in silence. This is the nettle ; which, as 

 the country produces neither hemp nor flax, supplies 

 the materials of which are made their fishing-nets ; 

 and without which they could not possibly subsist. 

 For this purpose they cut it down in August, and, 

 after hanging it up in bundles in the shade, under 

 their balagans, the remainder of the summer, treat it 

 like hemp. They then spin it into thread with their 

 fingers, and twist it round a spindle ; after which 

 they twine several threads together, according to 

 the different purposes for which it may be designed. 



Though there is little doubt but that many parts 

 of this peninsula would admit of such cultivation as 

 might contribute considerably to the comfort of the 

 inhabitants, yet its real riches must always consist 

 in the number of wild animals it produces ; and no 

 labour can ever be turned to so good account as what 

 is employed upon their furrieries. The animals, 

 therefore, which supply these, come next to be con- 

 sidered : and these are, the common fox ; the stoat 

 or ermine ; the zibeline or sable ; the isatis or arctic 

 fox ; the varying hare; the mountain rat or earless 

 marmot; the weasel; the glutton or wolverene; 



