314 cook's voyage to oct. 



The wolves are only seen in the winter ; at which 

 season they prowl about, as I was told, in large com- 

 panies, in search of prey. 



There are rein-deer, both wild and tame, in 

 several parts of the peninsula, but none in the neigh- 

 boorhood of Awatska. It is somewhat singular, that 

 this nation should never have used the rein-deer for 

 the purposes of carriage, in the same manner as their 

 neighbours, both to the north and the eastward. Their 

 dogs, indeed, seem fully sufficient for all the de- 

 mands of the natives in their present state ; and the 

 breed of Russian horses will, probably, increase with 

 the future necessities of the country. But when it 

 is recollected, that the use of dogs, in a great mea- 

 sure, precludes them from the advantage of bringing 

 up any other domestic animals, it will appear the 

 more extraordinary that they should not have adopted 

 the services of an animal so much more gentle as 

 well as powerful. 



The argali, or wild mountain sheep *, an animal, 

 I believe, unknown in Europe (except in Corsica and 

 Sardinia), is here in great plenty. Its skin is like 

 the deer's, but in gait and general appearance, it 

 partakes more of the goat. It has two large twisted 

 horns, sometimes weighing, when at full growth, 

 from twenty-five to thirty pounds, which in run- 

 ning, it rests upon its back. These creatures are 

 exceedingly nimble and swift, haunt only the most 

 craggy and mountainous parts, and make their way 

 among the steepest rocks w T ith an agility that is as- 

 tonishing. The natives work their horns into spoons 

 and small cups and platters \ and have frequently 

 one of a smaller size hanging to a belt, which serves 

 them to drink out of in their hunting expeditions. 

 This animal is gregarious. I frequently tasted the 

 flesh of them, and thought it had a very sweet and 

 delicate flavour ; but never had an opportunity of 



* Crapra anion. 



